Ethanol!

[airshot]

The fuel lines on one of my Echos and my Husky saw melted from E10!

Should have been upgraded to alcohol resistant hoses like they recomended.

 

[airshot]

It's the same fuel and same gas station that is used for 3 cars and 5 outboard motors.

It's not a remote tank but rather the integral the tank on top of the motor.

I had 8 trouble-free years. The problem started last year. The carb was rebuilt last year, and was only run for 1/2 hour last year after the rebuild.

It's a 2016 motor, so it was built for ethylene.

That is why the fuel you buy should be tested every so often as stations do not monitor there own fuel nor do they clean tanks and filters like they should be. Whenever I fill my boat, I always take a small fuel sample for testing. If contamination is found, I go right to the station mgr and show them. It has only happened a couple times over years if using them, but it can happen. At another station they have had issues with their non E fuels as they get little use and collect moisture and gum up often....you gotta test your fuel or put up with issues. About 8 years ago the local farmers created a co op fuel station for the locals to use. No problems since that was created even though I still test often. They go overboard keeping their tanks and filters clean. On top if that, they are about 30-40 cents per gallon cheaper! A second station just recently at the other side if the district so more locals can get trouble free fuel at better prices. Two of the top name fuel stations closed up.

 

[tphoyt]

This is becoming a close race with an oil thread.
Makes for great reading though.
Lots of info to soak up.

 

[dingbat]

That is why the fuel you buy should be tested every so often as stations do not monitor there own fuel nor do they clean tanks and filters like they should be. Whenever I fill my boat, I always take a small fuel sample for testing. If contamination is found, I go right to the station mgr and show them. It has only happened a couple times over years if using them, but it can happen. At another station they have had issues with their non E fuels as they get little use and collect moisture and gum up often....you gotta test your fuel or put up with issues. About 8 years ago the local farmers created a co op fuel station for the locals to use. No problems since that was created even though I still test often.

Surprised Ohio doesn't have/enforce quality fuel and delivery standards

"It's illegal to sell motor fuel that fails to meet quality standards. Penalties for not complying with the motor fuel inspection law and the stop sale order include a fine of up to $5,000 and/or one year in jail, a court ordered injunction prohibiting sale of the product and suspension of your registration"

Having worked as a Service Station attendant in high school, I can attest that the enforcement bureau takes their job very seriously

 

[jimmbo]

Deleted

 

[Captain Caveman]

A few years ago a Consumer Advocate group quietly did a survey of a number of different gas stations. They took samples and had a lab analyze them. E0 ranged from 0% ethanol up to about 10%. E10 ranged from 0% to about 15. It's obvious that you never know what you might get. I don't know if things have improved or not.

I only buy my E0 (non-oxy) from stations that I know sell a lot of the stuff. They get enough business so that the gas is replenished on a regular basis and is therefore fresher. Stations that don't sell a lot of it may also mix it with other fuels.

I would think that if this Consumer Advocate group did a survey that isolated the chains from independents, you might see some interesting results. Even showing results for highly patronized stations versus lower patronage might yield differences?

All of that said, my truck gets ethanol gas because I burn through it. All of my toys that sit for weeks to months between usage get E0. The only carburetors that I've had to pull apart in the 15yrs since I started doing that are for me to swap out main jets due to temp/seasonal changes. I've cleaned them here and there, but I haven't had *junk* in a carb in a loooong time.

 

[airshot]

Surprised Ohio doesn't have/enforce quality fuel and delivery standards

"It's illegal to sell motor fuel that fails to meet quality standards. Penalties for not complying with the motor fuel inspection law and the stop sale order include a fine of up to $5,000 and/or one year in jail, a court ordered injunction prohibiting sale of the product and suspension of your registration"

Having worked as a Service Station attendant in high school, I can attest that the enforcement bureau takes their job very seriously

There are inspection officials that are supposed to inspect the fuel. Ohio is a main pass thru with the I 75 corridor and Turnpike. I am sure there are those that get away with certain things. I and others have shown our testing and filed complaints about contaminated fuels. With a monster trucking industry around here, I am sure there are ways to get around these tests if you know the correct people. We have shut down the two worst offenders, and the co-op stations welcome the testing. I am fortunate to live in the farm comunity that is willing to tackle and resolve these poor quality fuel issues. I can't say enough times, to check your fuel when purchasing it. Once a station knows that people are actually checking their fuel, they will begin to watch their fuel more closely.