Non-Ethanol Fuel or Regular ?

[MainelyWheelhorse 3,028]

2 hours ago, adsm08 said:

 

Alcohol in the gas has basically nothing to do with emissions. It does not impact 4 of the 5 gasses directly, may reduce Nox some as it burns cooler, and if the whole life-cycle is looked at is a net carbon producer vs straight gas.

 

It is partially to try and reduce fuel prices as it is cheaper, but it is largely a give-away to corn farmers.

That was supposed to be part of a Dr Seussian rhyme like what Sylvan did. I wasn’t commenting on emissions. I’d go back and try to fit something in about cheaper gas but that doesn’t seem to flow as well in the context of the rest of the rhyme.

[John c 222]

Around here we have R90, recreational fuel, boats, motorcycles, lawn mowers etc, 90 octane. I add standard sta-bil to mine to help preserve the octane a bit longer I've found it runs better than not after it's set for a while. 

[Retired Wrencher 6,905]

21 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

Every single Small Engine piece of equipment we have gets non-ethanol fuel.

 

To the best of my knowledge there is not one additive that negates the effects of ethanol such as grabbing extra water and rusting lines, degrading rubber, and possibly eating aluminum parts.

 

Regular gas around here is just below $4 this week. I believe non ethanol can be had for around $5.70.

 

 

 

Eric that is not a bad price for what you’re getting. I am getting ready to make a N/H run my self.

[ebinmaine 80,148]

6 hours ago, John c said:

R90, recreational fuel

 

Yep. That's what's here.  90. 91. Depends on the station. 

 

I guess it's good to be in a very high traffic tourist economy even though we don't participate in those.  

[Bill D 3,067]

I'm lucky to have a couple of stations across the Hudson from me that sell it.  About 8 miles each way.  Typically in the $5+ dollar range these days.   Cheap piece of mind in my opinion.  It's nice to have something with two year old gas that starts on the first pull.  I put 1 oz of marine formula stabil in each 5 gallon can before I fill up.

Edited Saturday at 11:36 AM by Bill D

[peter lena 9,998]

@ebinmaineNO REAL testing ? thats a BASE LINE TO A PROBLEM ELIMINATION ! years back , went thru EVERY STAGE  OF PROBLEM AREA , cleaned out tank , replaced fuel valve , then set up an assurance of IMPROVEMENT , fuel filter  ,immediately  shows , clean / clear  flow, then fresh line , good spot  for a  1/4 or 5/16  metal  brake  line , totally eliminating  all that hose , tucks right into inside upper frame corner  , easily  secured , like a fuel check valve / filter  , clear  fuel rated hose up to carb? SHOWING YOU  WHATS THERE ! YEARS IN USE , no problems , consistent  operational  function , combine that  with lubricated , spring pull assisted , choke / throttle  cables , basically  broke down every stage , sta bil , is a no brainer for me , regular leaded gas , just my experiment , pete 

[lynnmor 8,982]

32 minutes ago, peter lena said:

@sta bil , is a no brainer for me , regular leaded gas , just my experiment , pete 

 

Hasn't been any leaded gas for many years except possibly aviation fuel.

[rjg854 13,282]

I have 2 tractors that are only used in the winter, other than that they sit.  I add nothing to the non-ethanol fuel and never have a problem starting them. I do put a maintainer on them every couple of months to keep them charged but that is usually only for a day, at most. They crank a bit at start up because I always shut of the fuel at the tank and run them until they run out of gas.  

[ebinmaine 80,148]

2 hours ago, peter lena said:

@ebinmaineNO REAL testing ?

 

I mean no real testing of STABIL 

 

I have no science lab here.  

 

 

 

2 hours ago, peter lena said:

 

thats a BASE LINE TO A PROBLEM ELIMINATION ! years back , went thru EVERY STAGE  OF PROBLEM AREA , cleaned out tank , replaced fuel valve , then set up an assurance of IMPROVEMENT , fuel filter  ,immediately  shows , clean / clear  flow, then fresh line , good spot  for a  1/4 or 5/16  metal  brake  line , totally eliminating  all that hose , tucks right into inside upper frame corner  , easily  secured , like a fuel check valve / filter  , clear  fuel rated hose up to carb? SHOWING YOU  WHATS THERE ! YEARS IN USE , no problems , consistent  operational  function , combine that  with lubricated , spring pull assisted , choke / throttle  cables , basically  broke down every stage , sta bil , is a no brainer for me , regular leaded gas , just my experiment , pete 

 

 

My elimination of problems is to replace the part properly. No farmer fixes. No mickey mousing. No hack jobs.  

 

Repair. Replace. Maintenance. Lubrication. 

Good quality parts. 

 

All add up to a winning combination.  

 

[Brockport Bill 2,449]

speaking of gas -- i have read there is advantage to occasionally putting a splash or more of the 50-1 or 40-1 fuel from the premixed cans into the tractor tank ? Yes/no ??? Any thoughts

[ri702bill 12,731]

Fogging for mosquitoes??

[lynnmor 8,982]

41 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Fogging for mosquitoes??

 

I sold an old Sears 16 HP Onan tractor and only had my chainsaw mix to fire it up.  To my surprise it didn't smoke a bit

[adsm08 4,935]

22 hours ago, 953 nut said:

           Are you telling me that the anti-petroleum "I'm from the Government and I'm here to help you" crowd is showing favoritism to the corn farmers even though it ended up driving up gas prices?              Say it isn't so.    

 

Yes. It lower the cost per gallon at the pump, but increased the cost per mile as it goes out the exhaust, and you pay extra taxes for the subsidies.

 

But by the time everyone realized it was a bad deal any politician that tried to walk it back was going to loose their next re-election bid.

 

 

What was that saying? "There is nothing as permanent as a temporary government program"?

[ebinmaine 80,148]

18 hours ago, Brockport Bill said:

speaking of gas -- i have read there is advantage to occasionally putting a splash or more of the 50-1 or 40-1 fuel from the premixed cans into the tractor tank ? Yes/no ??? Any thoughts

 

Bill I did a quick search on the all knowing interwebs and couldn't really find a specific positive impact. 

 

Some say it'll smoke a little but not hurt anything. 

 

[peter lena 9,998]

@hotajax  @Beap52 , my regular references  to to trials / experiments  are the final stage of  CHANGE  I made to a  REPEDITIVE ISSUE ? base line , clean out tank , eliminating all  trapped fuel debris / breakdown , new fuel valve , then all related hose , change out , ELIMINATING HOSE BREAKDOWN STAGES , MAKE SENSE  ? ??? , now fresh hose , and fuel filters , then  add STA BIL , ounce or two to every  top off , also never let my tank go empty  , since going over to this year s ago , I have had  zero fuel related issues , realise this is a very contentious  issue , personally  love , ERADICATING  PROBLEMS ? if something is kicking  your a-- , you want to stop it ,right ?  also never burned out a pto drive clutch disc , thats another multi stage  mess, its staring right at you , good luck  with your  maintenance . pete   

[Retired Wrencher 6,905]

On 8/29/2026 at 7:34 AM, Bill D said:

I'm lucky to have a couple of stations across the Hudson from me that sell it.  About 8 miles each way.  Typically in the $5+ dollar range these days.   Cheap piece of mind in my opinion.  It's nice to have something with two year old gas that starts on the first pull.  I put 1 oz of marine formula stabil in each 5 gallon can before I fill up.

I’ve been told you don’t have to do that Bill. But I am with you on this. In my mind if you go through it quickly like six months I don’t think you have to do it, but I have some under the porch. That is a couple years old so that’s why I put it in there. I usually use this. A cap full treats, 1.5 gallons.

[peter lena 9,998]

@Retired Wrencher  glad you are trying  something ?  my  stand by generator  , sits for  months , with  instant starts , my reference to  fuel  line replace ment  , was after  I  cleaned out  entire set up , verifying a  fresh clean start,  your star tron / my sta bil , do the same thing, most important proof ? zero / no debris / fuel hose break down at all . when I go at any  problem , go after EVERY  STAGE , NOT JUST THE MOST OBVIOUS , EX ? frayed belts , WHY? its not the belt , its , INCREMENTAL BEARING LUBRICATION FAILURE  , the bearing  hangs up / stops for a second , that  led me to , cleaning out and regreasing , every  wide  seal  bearing , with  https://www.landmsupply.com/lucas-oil-x-tra-heavy-duty-grease-14-5-oz?g, all my decks , pto / mule drive , engage / spin up with total ease. , BTH that pto lever set up is a gold mine , for improvement ,  pete