Using AVgas in your small engines

I have had airplanes for years that burn 100LL. I also have an airplane tow cart that is used to pull the plane from and to the hanger. I have always used 100LL in it and it always works great. It has a Brigs engine.

I have not had the same luck with my small engines at home. I keep a good supply of new gas lines, carb cleaner etc. and have become quite good at rebuilding carbs. Prior to ethanol I didn't have the issues I have now.

In my experience burning AVGAS in bigger engines, liquid cooled, is that they run hot. The last rig I ran AVGAS thru was a '81 F-250 with a 400, and it ran so hot that I ended up doing 50:50 with pump gas. It would overheat at idle, but man it sure did run AWESOME when moving.. but hotter.

It may have been that truck, but I would be nervous using it in a stationary air cooled engine.

Small engine manufacturers have engineered fuel systems with the current fuels available that will be used, i.e. 10% ethanol added. The fuel lines carburetor and other bits of a small engine's fuel system are not degraded by using 10% ethanol gas.

Yes, it's a ***** to store these blends, especially if the ethanol is blended from very crude stock and the environment is correct for the gas mixture to get oxidized and degrade, In two cycle applications there may be separation of the 2 cycle oil in the gas container.

My experience with gasoline and small engines is fairly broad. I've transported gas oil, ethanol, MTBE, and other petroleum and petro chemicals in bulk. You get to know the characteristics of these products. I've also been a small engine mechanic and have a plaque with four certifications that says I might be knowledgeable about small engines and hydraulics.

In the repair field I had quite a few customers with fuel problems. Those issues were related to the stored fuel in the systems and a flush of the system along with a cleaning of the carburetor made things right. As a percentage of deterioration of fuel hoses and aluminum parts, I would say .01% percent and that kind of damage could be related mostly to age or a poor quality of original parts rather than the cause being ethanol in the fuel. I would note that 2 cycle equipment is more prone to fuel line issues than 4 cycle engines. That may be due to the quality and location of gas lines.

If you have an outboard engine that is larger than 15 HP, a gasoline without ethanol is a good choice. The outboard manufacturers have tested and documented engine issues using ethanol blended fuel. I have a 15 hp Johnson outboard and fill tanks at the pump. I've had no issues over the years.

AVgas may bring a level of security to folks that have had engine issues but isn't necessary for typical small engines. I nope this helps to diminish rumors about ethanol blended fuel issues.

Personally, I think there is a lot of urban legend about the E10 and also it is an easy scape goat for lack of care.

I been using that stuff for years in all my small engine stuff to include the two cycle without a problem. The mixed two cycle stuff even sits over the winter in the gallon container and runs fine the next season. Both lawn tractors set all winter with the gas in them and fire right up in the spring. I have a trailer queen tractor. I drain the left over gas out of it once a year and the Kawasaki Z turn just loves to sip on that stuff.

I am not promoting E10 or any of the politics that go with it.

I am just saying I have no problem getting down the road with the E10.

ScottG wrote:
You can buy ethanol free fuel at some marina's.

$5 at the marina, $4 at the station.
bumpy

We can now buy ethanol free gas at more stations for $3.99 gal now.
I buy the premix stuff from Lowes for the weed wackerz.

Starting to see more and more "canned" ethanol free gas for small engines in the big box stores and small engine shops. I have always used regular pump gas, yes I know it is 10% ethanol, in a higher octane rating. Here in the south, due to elevated temperatures as the norm, the gas does not last very long (months) without getting a little "skunky" and E85 is very common, although I would not use that in any of my small engines. The ethanol will attack the clear fuel lines in most lawn equipment. Thought I would try the Avgas and so far so good.

Pure Gas

Is easier.

Most small engines are geared for 87 octane so you have some un burnt stuff with a 100. I worry about the ethanol when its sets for a long period no place close to Bryan tx with pure gas.

You can buy ethanol free fuel at some marina's.