O2B__ 7 #1 Posted April 17, 2020 I was trying to get going a tractor that had been sitting for two or three years. When I determined that gas was getting to the carb, but the engine only ran on starting fluid, I pulled the top from the carb and found what looks like jelly covering the bottom of the float bowl. Anyone know the cause? 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,339 #2 Posted April 17, 2020 Ethanol pearls. Time for a thorough cleaning and non ethanol fuel. Gas line fuel filter rebuild a carb and flush out the tank. 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,532 #3 Posted April 17, 2020 What he said!! Ethanol fuel is terrible 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 10,716 #4 Posted April 17, 2020 Yep, thats a classic Ethanol picture! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,839 #5 Posted April 17, 2020 For a few years, I used gas additive...Stabil... and this is what I got in the carb. Now I use ONLY ethanol free... 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,008 #6 Posted April 17, 2020 Once you have cleaned the fuel tank, replaced all fuel lines and filter, soaked the carburetor in a good carb-cleaner and rebuilt it you can find non-ethanol gas with this web-site, https://www.pure-gas.org/. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
O2B__ 7 #7 Posted April 17, 2020 Thanks for your responses. Looks like I have work to do. I'll check out the ethanol free stations around here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 3,235 #8 Posted April 17, 2020 12 hours ago, O2B__ said: I was trying to get going a tractor that had been sitting for two or three years. When I determined that gas was getting to the carb, but the engine only ran on starting fluid, I pulled the top from the carb and found what looks like jelly covering the bottom of the float bowl. Anyone know the cause? That should be a poster that hangs in every small engine and outboard engine repair shop. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,817 #9 Posted April 17, 2020 1 minute ago, clueless said: That should be a poster that hangs in every small engine and outboard engine repair shop. This should be the poster that hangs above every ethanol pump. Four feet wide would be good. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,670 #10 Posted April 17, 2020 (edited) I use nonEthanol in all my light /infrequently used machines. However I use regular gas in the summer mowing tractors that are use regularly and have not had any carb issue. The bead and glop form when the regular gas sits. To the extent any forms in the tank it is filtered out before the carb The beads do not seem to form in the carb bowl if the machine is used frequently. Before they are put away for the winter the last fillup is with non=Ethanol and stabil Edited April 17, 2020 by pfrederi 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldlineman 1,537 #11 Posted April 17, 2020 That's what I do no trouble in a lot of years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 3,235 #12 Posted April 17, 2020 1 hour ago, pfrederi said: I use nonEthanol in all my light /infrequently used machines. However I use regular gas in the summer mowing tractors that are use regularly and have not had any carb issue. The bead and glop form when the regular gas sits. To the extent any forms in the tank it is filtered out before the carb The beads do not seem to form in the carb bowl if the machine is used frequently. Before they are put away for the winter the last fillup is with non=Ethanol and stabil SOP, at my house. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chip61 664 #13 Posted April 18, 2020 There was a gas station a few miles from my house that carried non ethanol for a few months, then stopped because he said the EPA came in and told him he couldn't sell it where he is. Not sure why this happened. His station is about 20 miles outside of Richmond, VA. Luckily I have several stations in more rural areas to get ethanol free, but I just can't understand why this station can't have it. The area he is in is surrounded by farms. I refuse to run ethanol in my 2 cycle engines, and I usually pay the extra money for non ethanol for all my small engines, then if they end up not used for a few weeks I'm still good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HokieAg07 129 #14 Posted April 18, 2020 2 minutes ago, chip61 said: There was a gas station a few miles from my house that carried non ethanol for a few months, then stopped because he said the EPA came in and told him he couldn't sell it where he is. Not sure why this happened. His station is about 20 miles outside of Richmond, VA. Luckily I have several stations in more rural areas to get ethanol free, but I just can't understand why this station can't have it. The area he is in is surrounded by farms. I refuse to run ethanol in my 2 cycle engines, and I usually pay the extra money for non ethanol for all my small engines, then if they end up not used for a few weeks I'm still good. You know what I think happened there? I think the pump got tested for accuracy and it was way off and he doesnt want to fix the pump. His story didnt make any sense. Im going down to Quinton now to get it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chip61 664 #15 Posted April 18, 2020 4 minutes ago, HokieAg07 said: You know what I think happened there? I think the pump got tested for accuracy and it was way off and he doesnt want to fix the pump. His story didnt make any sense. Im going down to Quinton now to get it. That makes sense. I go to Mathews just about every weekend so I get it down there. Which station in Quinton has it?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HokieAg07 129 #16 Posted April 18, 2020 2 minutes ago, chip61 said: That makes sense. I go to Mathews just about every weekend so I get it down there. Which station in Quinton has it?? Its an Exxon on 249. ethanol free, offroad diesel, theyve got it all. Definitely out of the way compared to a 10 minute ride but a 55 gallon drum will last me all summer so no big deal 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chip61 664 #17 Posted April 18, 2020 Good deal-thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
