Then it either died, or is dying and you scratch your head and ask why, right?
Well, blame it on the envirofreaks/EPA, they mandated 10% ethanol, a corrosive, destructive little culprit that not only eats rubber, but robs your engine of power.
I will tell you of my horror story in a couple of days.
I should have put this in Scams, because that is all it is, one big ass Scam!
And the worst gasoline-ethanol blend out there is E10, which is also the most common. Just how bad is ethanol for a small engine? Well, statute law exempts all airplanes from using ethanol-blended fuel. Why? What's the worst that could happen? As an aside, most piston driven aircraft burn 100-110 octane "low-lead" gasoline specifically defined as "aviation gas."
E10 has a "shelf life" of about two to three months. After that, the alcohol begins separating from the gasoline, forming a second layer in your fuel tank. This process is known as "phase separation." And if you live in a colder climate with damp snowy winters, E10 spoils even faster. Once this happens, the alcohol also begins attracting water, which eventually forms a third layer in your fuel tank. This is particularly problematic for the two-cycle gas you use in your weed whacker or chainsaw, as these devices usually aren't operated frequently enough to use up all of the two-cycle gas you have on hand.
Over time, your two-cycle fuel becomes progressively more contaminated. And as this happens, ethanol also begins rotting away the rubber or vinyl hoses on your engine, like the fuel lines. Worse yet, that dissolved rubber or vinyl gets sent into the cylinders. When combustion occurs, those contaminants form a gooey sludge, which robs engine performance, damages the pistons, and eventually will destroy the small engine. So what's the solution?
There are several things you can do to prevent ethanol-blended gasoline from wrecking your power equipment.
* Buy fresh fuel on a regular basis. Unless you have an expansive lawn, ditch the five-gallon gas can and replace it with a smaller one. That way, you'll use the fuel up faster.
* If your plastic jerry can is several years old, replace it. Most likely the ethanol has begun dissolving the inside surface, putting even more gunk into your gasoline.
* It may take a bit of searching, but some gas stations sell ethanol-free gasoline. Find one.
* As winter approaches and you put away your weed whacker/chainsaw until spring, get rid of the fuel in the tanks and refill them with ethanol-free gasoline. Additionally, don't let your remaining two-cycle gas "winter over." Give it to someone who can use it up, or someone you don't like very much.
* If there is a small airport nearby, try to buy some exempt 100 octane gasoline there. It's illegal for the airport to fill up your car's gas tank, but you can usually purchase a jerry can or two. It's a bit pricey, but cheaper than replacing your power equipment.
* Avoid any fuel additive containing alcohol, such as ethanol, methanol (wood alcohol), or isopropyl (rubbing alcohol). All alcohol attracts and retains water.
* If own an older antique car, try to purchase 110 octane "low-lead" aviation gas. Many older V-8 engines were designed to run on 100 octane fuel. So blend some 110 with conventional premium grade gasoline. Your engine will have more power and get better mileage. Don't fill the entire tank with 110; it will burn up your valves, but a 50:50 mix works great. It's what I burn in my '63 Pontiac Bonneville.
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/10/10sep27d.cfm (http://www.stretcher.com/stories/10/10sep27d.cfm)
I have had no problem with my chainsaw, lawnmower, weedeater, blower, rideing mower and two Honda generators. I use a fuel stabilizer (Sta Bil) in all my gas, I double the amount it call for. I have used gas that is 6 month old with no problems. I have spark plug that are over 6 years old in each.
I feel the fuel stabilizer has save me a lot of time and money over the last 15+ years. I have yet to have something not start up on 3 to 5 pulls after winter. But then I keep them in a 40º garage in the winter.
I learned the hard way on my 1965 Chevy Impala convertible :o about ethanol. I had just put on my first Electric Fuel Pump at a cost of 110$ at the time. Two tank and two week later I had to replace all my rubber from the gas tank all the way up to the four-barrel carburetor, the carburetor I had to rebuild. I was not a happy camper.
Check it out you may like it STA-Bil (http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/stabil/default.aspx)
Check this out, it is all about Sta-bil, I'm switching to the Marine version. :o
I discovered that if you have a poly gas can older than 3 years, it can dissolve and clog up your fuel system if you use it.
I had one that was full of gas, and the damned thing rotted out after a year, the gas had gone bad, even with Stabil in it, but I thought I would save it to start fires, never got the chance before it rotted out the container. >:(
The 411 on Ethanol
Everything you need to know about the Ethanol in your fuel and your equipment!
When it comes to Ethanol-blended gasoline, and the effects it can have on fuel systems and your equipment, you most likely have more questions than answers. Below is a list of articles and links, providing you the "411"on Ethanol to help answer all of your Ethanol-related questions - from the history of Ethanol–blended fuels, to helpful tips on how to protect your equipment from the damaging effects ethanol can cause.
http://www.goldeagle.com/engine_care/411onethanol.aspx (http://www.goldeagle.com/engine_care/411onethanol.aspx)
Quote from: Solar on October 17, 2010, 09:04:47 PM
Check this out, it is all about Sta-bil, I'm switching to the Marine version. :o
So I take it you will be using this from now on. We also use it in all 15 of the tractors diesel fuel over the winter.
I use it in my 2500 Ram also my quad. I have a gal. of stabilizer with me at all times.
Quote from: walkstall on October 17, 2010, 09:43:30 PM
So I take it you will be using this from now on. We also use it in all 15 of the tractors diesel fuel over the winter.
I use it in my 2500 Ram also my quad. I have a gal. of stabilizer with me at all times.
Yep, I was using regular Stabil, but it only works for about 5 months, against the ethanol.
But what I'm going to do in addition to the Marine Stabil, is go to the airport and get aviation fuel, the law doesn't force them to screw up engines with bad gas.
At least I can get 110 octane level and my quad will run like it was designed to do.
I guess ethanol can suck valves, and burn out rings, I have several small engines that I suspect suffered the fate of the evil ethanol additive.
Quote from: Solar on October 18, 2010, 07:47:13 AM
Yep, I was using regular Stabil, but it only works for about 5 months, against the ethanol.
But what I'm going to do in addition to the Marine Stabil, is go to the airport and get aviation fuel, the law doesn't force them to screw up engines with bad gas.
At least I can get 110 octane level and my quad will run like it was designed to do.
I guess ethanol can suck valves, and burn out rings, I have several small engines that I suspect suffered the fate of the evil ethanol additive.
I am lucky my next door neighber has his own airport runway and aviation fuel tanks and that only a ½ mile away. ;D
Now fellas, let's not overlook the wonderfulness of ethanol. Our federal government, as usual, detected it LONG before we rubes did....
After we taxpayers subsidize it at 40 cents/gallon, ethanol is only a little more expensive than gasoline!
While it's eating the rubber gaskets out of your fuel system, ethanol is producing roughly 17% less energy per gallon than regular gas.
With the government forcing oil companies to use it, ethanol production -- and the associated artificial demand for corn -- has wreaked havoc on the agricultural commodities market and cause shocking inflation of food prices. Five minutes of research on the uses of corn will enlighten you as to why this happens.
The artificial manipulation of the corn market, and the resultant shift of acreage to corn production, has directly inflated prices for other crops, most notably soybeans and wheat.
I've always said that government exists to do the things that a rational individual would never do. Ethanol is a perfect example of this principle.
Quote from: tbone0106 on October 24, 2010, 01:02:49 AM
Now fellas, let's not overlook the wonderfulness of ethanol. Our federal government, as usual, detected it LONG before we rubes did....
After we taxpayers subsidize it at 40 cents/gallon, ethanol is only a little more expensive than gasoline!
While it's eating the rubber gaskets out of your fuel system, ethanol is producing roughly 17% less energy per gallon than regular gas.
With the government forcing oil companies to use it, ethanol production -- and the associated artificial demand for corn -- has wreaked havoc on the agricultural commodities market and cause shocking inflation of food prices. Five minutes of research on the uses of corn will enlighten you as to why this happens.
The artificial manipulation of the corn market, and the resultant shift of acreage to corn production, has directly inflated prices for other crops, most notably soybeans and wheat.
I've always said that government exists to do the things that a rational individual would never do. Ethanol is a perfect example of this principle.
;D ;D ;D ;D
Well played Tbone.
Lets not forget the one added value we all overlook, poorer MPG...
Quote from: Solar on October 24, 2010, 07:59:49 AM
;D ;D ;D ;D
Well played Tbone.
Lets not forget the one added value we all overlook, poorer MPG...
You betcha!
Actually, I think I said that already, but I failed to say it in those terms....
Lower energy yield = lower MPG, by around 17%.
It's good to find a crowd that can see this stuff!
Quote from: tbone0106 on October 29, 2010, 05:02:55 PM
You betcha!
Actually, I think I said that already, but I failed to say it in those terms....
Lower energy yield = lower MPG, by around 17%.
It's good to find a crowd that can see this stuff!
And for one very good reason, it's low heat output.
It's damn near half.
Gasoline:
1 Gal Gasoline (mid grade) = 125,000 Btu's
Ethanol:
1 Gal Ethanol = 76,000 Btu's
Quote from: Solar on October 29, 2010, 05:35:43 PM
And for one very good reason, it's low heat output.
It's damn near half.
Gasoline:
1 Gal Gasoline (mid grade) = 125,000 Btu's
Ethanol:
1 Gal Ethanol = 76,000 Btu's
Cost of producing 1 Gal Ethanol = 96,000 BTUs
Cost of producing 1 Gal Gasoline = 22,000 BTUs
I am not making this up.
And I was wrong in my earlier post. The taxpayer subsidy for a gallon of ethanol is 45 cents, not 40. My bad.
With my two-cycle stuff, at least the weedeaters and the chainsaws that I know I'm not going to use for a while, I just drain the fuel systems and remove the carburetors. A few squirts of carb cleaner, and they're good to go for the winter. Come spring, all is well.
My two-cycle snow-thrower is about to be reassembled right now.
I love two-cycle power equipment for lots of reasons. First, the power-to-weight ratio is AWESOME. Second, I love the sound, the louder the better! (You should hear my circa-1970 Homelite XL12 when I fire it up with a hefty dose of 16:1 mix!) Third, the two-cycle system has so FEW moving parts!
Quote from: tbone0106 on November 27, 2010, 01:38:14 AM
Cost of producing 1 Gal Ethanol = 96,000 BTUs
Cost of producing 1 Gal Gasoline = 22,000 BTUs
I am not making this up.
And I was wrong in my earlier post. The taxpayer subsidy for a gallon of ethanol is 45 cents, not 40. My bad.
Oh, wait. I guess that's EVERYBODY'S bad.
With ya on all of the above Mr.T 8)
I had all but forgotten just how loud 2 strokes used to be, my dad had an old Homelite or Echo chainsaw, back in 62 and I remember spending the entire day loading wood, all the while trying to cover my ears.
But you're right, there is nothing like the power factor.
My only issue is with the starting, my Stihll has so much torque, that if it doesn't start by the 4th pull, my shoulder goes out.
I'm sitting here with the pain now, I didn't check the gas yesterday, and was pulling a dry cord for nothing.
I've gotten in the habit of running it dry and putting it away empty, after having so damned many issues, (All Thanks To Ethanol Bull Shit!), ate my fuel lines, (not all at the same time) ate the gasket in the fuel cap, corroded the gasket in the carb, and ruined my favorite poly gas tank I've had for years.
I wish I could take the Gov to court over all this, they are ruining everything!
Don't get me started on the damage to my Quad runner. >:(
Another issue with ethanol is its tendency to degrade rubber. I know you mentioned gaskets, but I'm referring specifically to the rubber "flap valves" in two-cycle fuel systems that serve to vent the fuel tank. For instance, on my 1972-vintage Pioneer 3071, the rubber "flap valve" is located in the fuel cap, which screws into the side of the tank. The ethanol-based gas has eaten the rubber to dust, and because of the saw's design, I can't run it now with more than half a tank of fuel and I can't turn it sideways toward the cap without dribbling mixed gas all over the ground, my boots, whatever. Of course, with Pioneer being out of business for all these years, replacement parts simply don't exist any more.
It's kinda like trying to find replacement parts for my arthritic hands and wrists... they don't make that model any more! :D :P :P
2/3 of all corn production in the US goes to Ethanol. 2/3. And the libs try to tell me cereal and other grain based foodstuffs are ridiculously expensive due to shipping costs and the price of gas. ::)
There's one gas station nearby that sells non-ethanol laced gasoline. It costs about a dime more per gallon, but sure does make a difference in the chainsaw, weedeater, lawntractor, etc.
I hope that lasts for ya, Lug. Unfortunately, the tide is still running against sanity when it comes to ethanol. The lame duck Congress approved extending the federal subsidies last December, and now USEPA is pushing to bump ethanol content in our gas from 10% to 15%. :o
Quote from: lug-nut on March 17, 2011, 03:39:33 PM
There's one gas station nearby that sells non-ethanol laced gasoline. It costs about a dime more per gallon, but sure does make a difference in the chainsaw, weedeater, lawntractor, etc.
Lucky you, the only way you can avoid it in Ca is to buy either air plane fuel or racing fuel, both are over five bucks a gallon.
I am wondering how the aviation fuel as solution has worked out for Solar, if you were able to obtain it, and how the lead content in the aviation fuel affects your small engines.
Quote from: Eyesabide on June 22, 2012, 04:59:54 AM
I am wondering how the aviation fuel as solution has worked out for Solar, if you were able to obtain it, and how the lead content in the aviation fuel affects your small engines.
I love it, though it's expensive as Hell,
everything runs better, almost like a governor was removed.
As to the lead, I can only assume it helps cushion the valves while increasing the octane level, since there is absolutely no knock in any of my larger engines, like the quad runner, which seems to have gained 30% more power over regular pup gas.
The big upside in using it, is it lasts a lot longer just sitting.
Quote from: Solar on June 22, 2012, 05:41:50 AM
I love it, though it's expensive as Hell, everything runs better, almost like a governor was removed.
As to the lead, I can only assume it helps cushion the valves while increasing the octane level, since there is absolutely no knock in any of my larger engines, like the quad runner, which seems to have gained 30% more power over regular pup gas.
The big upside in using it, is it lasts a lot longer just sitting.
Curious -- do you just drive to your local airport with a five-gallon gas can and say to the pump-jockey, "Fill 'er up" or are there some hoops to jump through? While you're there, can you fill your truck's tank? (I'll bet that's a big negatory.)
As an aside, I found a site that lists locations in every state where you can still get gas without ethanol. It's called pure-gas.org. (http://www.pure-gas.org) In my state (Ohio) there are only 25 listings, and almost all of them are marinas, where $5 gas is pretty much the rule.
Quote from: tbone0106 on June 25, 2012, 09:36:13 PM
Curious -- do you just drive to your local airport with a five-gallon gas can and say to the pump-jockey, "Fill 'er up" or are there some hoops to jump through? While you're there, can you fill your truck's tank? (I'll bet that's a big negatory.)
As an aside, I found a site that lists locations in every state where you can still get gas without ethanol. It's called pure-gas.org. (http://www.pure-gas.org) In my state (Ohio) there are only 25 listings, and almost all of them are marinas, where $5 gas is pretty much the rule.
They never ask, I think they like the profit.
But there are only four places you can get ethanol free gas in Ca and they charge a few pennies shy of six bucks a gallon, that's higher than AVF.
I have a feeling a lot will change once Hussein is out regarding AVF and their attempt to remove lead from the fuel, planes are a completely different animal.
Quote from: Solar on June 26, 2012, 08:15:20 AM
They never ask, I think they like the profit.
But there are only four places you can get ethanol free gas in Ca and they charge a few pennies shy of six bucks a gallon, that's higher than AVF.
I have a feeling a lot will change once Hussein is out regarding AVF and their attempt to remove lead from the fuel, planes are a completely different animal.
Cool! I think I'll wander over to our local airport and talk to 'em.
That website I posted lists five places in California. Hope you didn't miss one. :tounge:
Airplanes are a completely different animal because people who fly airplanes want to stay alive. Engine failure at high altitude -- for whatever reason -- ain't funny, and is not likely to promote long life.
Quote from: tbone0106 on June 26, 2012, 08:27:05 PM
Cool! I think I'll wander over to our local airport and talk to 'em.
That website I posted lists five places in California. Hope you didn't miss one. :tounge:
Airplanes are a completely different animal because people who fly airplanes want to stay alive. Engine failure at high altitude -- for whatever reason -- ain't funny, and is not likely to promote long life.
Those stations are more than 150 miles away from me, I'll stick to AV fuel.
I wonder how long the=ose companies will be allowed to sell Efree gas, since the state forced and made it law that all fuel has to contain the shit.
Quote from: Solar on June 27, 2012, 05:27:54 AM
Those stations are more than 150 miles away from me, I'll stick to AV fuel.
I wonder how long the=ose companies will be allowed to sell Efree gas, since the state forced and made it law that all fuel has to contain the shit.
It won't be long. There was a big stink a couple years ago because 100 Octane Avgas was going away. Apparently, general aviation didn't make a large enough portion of the market to justify it's production.
http://www.e0pc.com/SNF10.pdf (http://www.e0pc.com/SNF10.pdf)
On a side note- go to a sporting goods store an buy a gallon of camping gas. It's normal gasoline without all the additives. I use it as a starting fluid when my small engines start getting cranky. It works wonders. At $7 per gallon, it's not for a fillup though.
Quote from: Ford289HiPo on June 27, 2012, 07:35:59 PM
It won't be long. There was a big stink a couple years ago because 100 Octane Avgas was going away. Apparently, general aviation didn't make a large enough portion of the market to justify it's production.
http://www.e0pc.com/SNF10.pdf (http://www.e0pc.com/SNF10.pdf)
On a side note- go to a sporting goods store an buy a gallon of camping gas. It's normal gasoline without all the additives. I use it as a starting fluid when my small engines start getting cranky. It works wonders. At $7 per gallon, it's not for a fillup though.
You don't mean White gas, for Coleman lanterns do you?
Coleman fuel has an octane rating of 50 to 55 and a flammability similar to gasoline, it has none of the additives found in modern gasoline and cannot be used as a substitute for gasoline, kerosene or diesel fuel in modern engines.[4] Its high combustion temperature and lack of octane boosting additives like tetra-ethyl lead will destroy engine valves, and its low octane rating would produce knocking.
(https://conservativepoliticalforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F9%2F9c%2FCamp_fuel.jpg%2F300px-Camp_fuel.jpg&hash=127b0b2c2b55135f6829f33b2c44f312a05deb76)
Quote from: Solar on June 27, 2012, 07:51:54 PM
You don't mean White gas, for Coleman lanterns do you?
Coleman fuel has an octane rating of 50 to 55 and a flammability similar to gasoline, it has none of the additives found in modern gasoline and cannot be used as a substitute for gasoline, kerosene or diesel fuel in modern engines.[4] Its high combustion temperature and lack of octane boosting additives like tetra-ethyl lead will destroy engine valves, and its low octane rating would produce knocking.
(https://conservativepoliticalforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F9%2F9c%2FCamp_fuel.jpg%2F300px-Camp_fuel.jpg&hash=127b0b2c2b55135f6829f33b2c44f312a05deb76)
Damn! You've destroyed one of my boyhood legends -- that Coleman white gas could really do crazy things, like make your car's engine explode. We used to think it was mighty powerful stuff. My dad used to warn me about storing it indoors. He'd say things like, "That shit's dynamite!"
I guess I'll just keep on using it -- and not the more enhanced "gas" from the pump -- in my trusty ol' Coleman two-mantle lantern. It sure makes night fishin' a lot more bearable.
Quote from: tbone0106 on June 27, 2012, 09:12:26 PM
Damn! You've destroyed one of my boyhood legends -- that Coleman white gas could really do crazy things, like make your car's engine explode. We used to think it was mighty powerful stuff. My dad used to warn me about storing it indoors. He'd say things like, "That shit's dynamite!"
I guess I'll just keep on using it -- and not the more enhanced "gas" from the pump -- in my trusty ol' Coleman two-mantle lantern. It sure makes night fishin' a lot more bearable.
Don't despair, Coleman is not what it used to be growing up, we called it White gas, or killer kerosene, it had a higher octane rating back then and was a much more purified version of kerosene.
But I think your use of it is a pretty good idea, in that it's properties have a bit more lubricating ability while boosting the gas a bit.
I'll still give your idea a shot though. :wink:
Quote from: Solar on June 27, 2012, 07:51:54 PM
You don't mean White gas, for Coleman lanterns do you?
Coleman fuel has an octane rating of 50 to 55 and a flammability similar to gasoline, it has none of the additives found in modern gasoline and cannot be used as a substitute for gasoline, kerosene or diesel fuel in modern engines.[4] Its high combustion temperature and lack of octane boosting additives like tetra-ethyl lead will destroy engine valves, and its low octane rating would produce knocking.
(https://conservativepoliticalforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F9%2F9c%2FCamp_fuel.jpg%2F300px-Camp_fuel.jpg&hash=127b0b2c2b55135f6829f33b2c44f312a05deb76)
Yep! That's the stuff. I used the last of it just recently. I had that can sitting around since '99 and it was still good. I only used it like starter fluid in the lawnmower and rototiller though. I didn't think the octane of the stuff was so low, but then again, it didn't taste like Sunoco 260 either! :toungsmile:
Quote from: Ford289HiPo on June 28, 2012, 06:00:25 PM
Yep! That's the stuff. I used the last of it just recently. I had that can sitting around since '99 and it was still good. I only used it like starter fluid in the lawnmower and rototiller though. I didn't think the octane of the stuff was so low, but then again, it didn't taste like Sunoco 260 either! :toungsmile:
:laugh: :laugh:
More than ten years? That's what happens when you don't destroy it with ethanol.
I need to pick up a couple of cans, it's great for all kinds of stuff, even stuck bolts.
Quote from: Ford289HiPo on June 28, 2012, 06:00:25 PM
Yep! That's the stuff. I used the last of it just recently. I had that can sitting around since '99 and it was still good. I only used it like starter fluid in the lawnmower and rototiller though. I didn't think the octane of the stuff was so low, but then again, it didn't taste like Sunoco 260 either! :toungsmile:
Lordy! Someone old like me who remembers those Sunoco selector pumps.
Just a note= DO NOT USE 100LL Aviation fuel in a car with a catalytic converter. 100 LL ( Low Lead) has four times the lead of the old Sunoco 240, or was it 260? None the less. Four times as much lead as leaded fuel for the 1960's muscle cars. Another interesting note, if you blend a high octane fuel with a different octane, you will get an even higher octane then either. I do not know the exact percentages. Just a heads up. We run 100LL in some of the blimps. after one flight, you can scrape the lead off of the propellers.
An electric chainsaw that will surprise you is the Makita UC4030A 16" 14.5 Amp electric chainsaw.
I read about them online and bought one.
Quote from: red_dirt on May 30, 2015, 05:23:39 PM
An electric chainsaw that will surprise you is the Makita UC4030A 16" 14.5 Amp electric chainsaw.
I read about them online and bought one.
(https://conservativepoliticalforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F41aM4TMKvKL.jpg&hash=721dff6fa69231e8a29176a22f755609545a73fb)
Why did you not go for the 15 AMP?
Quote from: Eyesabide on June 10, 2013, 07:39:35 PM
Just a note= DO NOT USE 100LL Aviation fuel in a car with a catalytic converter. 100 LL ( Low Lead) has four times the lead of the old Sunoco 240, or was it 260? None the less. Four times as much lead as leaded fuel for the 1960's muscle cars. Another interesting note, if you blend a high octane fuel with a different octane, you will get an even higher octane then either. I do not know the exact percentages. Just a heads up. We run 100LL in some of the blimps. after one flight, you can scrape the lead off of the propellers.
Fascinating Eyes, I did not know they still used lead.
I'll be hunting for this fuel for all my equipment and quad including boat, since none of them have cats.
Quote from: walkstall on May 30, 2015, 05:32:38 PM
(https://conservativepoliticalforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F41aM4TMKvKL.jpg&hash=721dff6fa69231e8a29176a22f755609545a73fb)
Why did you not go for the 15 AMP?
The mfrs plate says 14.5 Amps. I think that may be advertised as a 15 A unit. That's what I remember ordering. I got mine from a site called manufacturers outlet, located in CA.
Sure enough, right through a couple of 2' diameter trees. I'm not going to push my luck, after all, it is an electric. The oiler seems to work well and the chain is advertised at 60mph. As soon as you pick it up and hit the start you feel a certain quality. Having seen a lot of makitas on jobs, I felt confident. All we can get here is ethanol 10-15. We are putting Lucas additives in the cars and dry gas. Denver is tight with Topeka. We send them our water and they send back ethanol.
Quote from: red_dirt on May 31, 2015, 11:55:52 AM
The mfrs plate says 14.5 Amps. I think that may be advertised as a 15 A unit. That's what I remember ordering. I got mine from a site called manufacturers outlet, located in CA.
Sure enough, right through a couple of 2' diameter trees. I'm not going to push my luck, after all, it is an electric. The oiler seems to work well and the chain is advertised at 60mph. As soon as you pick it up and hit the start you feel a certain quality. Having seen a lot of makitas on jobs, I felt confident. All we can get here is ethanol 10-15. We are putting Lucas additives in the cars and dry gas. Denver is tight with Topeka. We send them our water and they send back ethanol.
Love these little saws! I'm on my fifth one. Makita is a trusted name and should last you many years, though I've never owned a Makita, they all share one common issue.
The only problem you'll experience is overheating, and that comes from using it too long, like I always do, basic abuse.
I find if it starts getting hot, blow it out with compressed air.
Also let it run without load before stopping, it's that dead heat that tends to take a toll, and running it free helps clear the heat.
I swear, if you keep it relatively cool, it'll outlast and gas saw.
Oh, and I was dropping 36" dia. trees with mine and bucking them up as well.
Yes, I have a top of the line Stihll gas unit, but I just love the weight, ease and quiet of the electric, which is why I wind up abusing them. :blushing:
Quote from: Solar on May 30, 2015, 05:42:33 PM
Fascinating Eyes, I did not know they still used lead.
I'll be hunting for this fuel for all my equipment and quad including boat, since none of them have cats.
Some race gas (offhand: VP makes 116 octane) is still leaded. It's expensive and I wouldn't use it if you paid me to, but you can get it.
Remembering this thread, I saw some pre-mixed 50:1 2 cycle fuel that advertised as being stable, lasting years, and no ethanol so I picked it up.
Really expensive compared to mixing your own - $9 for a quart - but that'll last me more than a year with the amount I use.
Quote from: mhughes on November 23, 2015, 12:27:02 PM
Remembering this thread, I saw some pre-mixed 50:1 2 cycle fuel that advertised as being stable, lasting years, and no ethanol so I picked it up.
Really expensive compared to mixing your own - $9 for a quart - but that'll last me more than a year with the amount I use.
Thirty six bucks a gallon? :woot:
Granted, in an emergency, it would be worth twice that amount.
Like everyone, I had the same issue with small engines. The technician who worked on a chainsaw suggested a fuel treatment. It is called Star*Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment. I bought an 8 oz. bottle for about $7. It only takes less than a cap full for two gallons of gas. Works like a charm for 2 and 4 cycle engines. It doesn't matter what kind of gas.
Quote from: Solar on November 23, 2015, 12:37:37 PM
Thirty six bucks a gallon? :woot:
Granted, in an emergency, it would be worth twice that amount.
I know, right? I figured it this way... I buy that, it'll probably last me a year. Total cost: $9
I mix up my own, it goes to shit in 6 months and fucks up my chainsaw again. Total cost: $60 repair
Quote from: mhughes on November 23, 2015, 01:35:15 PM
I know, right? I figured it this way... I buy that, it'll probably last me a year. Total cost: $9
I mix up my own, it goes to shit in 6 months and fucks up my chainsaw again. Total cost: $60 repair
If it keeps like they say it does, it would be good to keep an ounce in your tanks, and run it through so it starts again when you need it.
I've had needles stick after running them dry and sitting for a season, only to have to tear it apart anyway.