Carbs ethanol mix

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Just one of many I have seen. Even got me once on my Gen carb. Only E-free in it now for storage.

Stihl 034 carb that set with ethanol mix in it year after year. Can tell it got some moisture in the tank over the years and was never dumped.

I've had them come in so bad the gel clogged my strainer to check their mix in a clear jar.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Another group a guy showed a 245 carb he just opened.

 

[sean donato]

Sad but not uncommon these days...

 

[Ted Jenkins]

I have been using Costco gas which has ethanol in it for more than twenty years with out any problems. Possibly My saws do not sit on a shelf long. However last spring I pulled my 041 off the shelf which had been sitting for five plus years and it started right up after flushing tank with new fuel, but that was it. The carbs pictured look nasty. I have never seen any like that before. I would guess it is a good idea to run them dry and take ones chances with dry gaskets. Thanks

 

[frank_]

looks quite oily to me, the ethanol ones i find are usually full of dirty snow type stuff

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

looks quite oily to me, the ethanol ones i find are usually full of dirty snow type stuff

View attachment 935238

I've poured that gel crap out of saw tanks and clogged up screen on my funnel. When checking mix on saws that come in.

 

[Ted Jenkins]

I have a 16 HP Tecumseh that I abuse beyond imagination. I did not think the engine would last when I bought it some thirty plus years so I neglected it. The muffler allowed rain and snow to just seep right into the engine. The original gas cap had a vent hole that allowed rain to just pour into the gas tank. The carburetor finally got so corroded that it was non repairable and yes it looked nasty like the corroded carburetors pictured. It was out side uncovered and neglected. Now I cover it much better than before. Thanks

 

[grizz55chev]

looks quite oily to me, the ethanol ones i find are usually full of dirty snow type stuff

View attachment 935238

Grandsons pitbike came to us looking like that, it actually ate a hole in the carb bowl! I soaked it in carb cleaner for a day, scraped out the residue and patched it with JB Weld, he's been using it for 6 yrs! He's out grown it now so we're on the lookout for an upgrade!

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I don't put ethanol fuel in chainsaws, even ones that aren't mine...

 

[LoneOak]

I hate to burst bubbles...but that's not ethanol that causes that.

 

[sean donato]

We're listening

 

[LoneOak]

We're listening

First I will ask, what is the evidence that ethanol is at fault for that mess?

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I've always been told that alcohol draws moisture, it ends up in your fuel then in your carburetor. In my opinion that's why you have to buy new carburetors for the smaller saws, like the 170 or 180 stihl. The fluffy white powder stops up and corrodes the aluminum so they won't flow well. I always put the adjustable carbs on my smaller Stihls so as to avoid that...

 

[OM617YOTA]

Right, it's not the ethanol that corrodes things, it's the water the ethanol attracts that corrodes things. The white powder is corrosion. Or maybe you have a coke habit, but your saw won't like running on that either.

 

[sean donato]

First I will ask, what is the evidence that ethanol is at fault for that mess?

The rust or the jelly? I've typically attributed both to ethanol for the same reason as om717 mentioned. It attracts moisture and rusts the steel and corrodes the alloy.

 

[KASH]

If the ethanol was not in the gas the water would not be there so I think we blame the ethanol as it is the one which attracted the water.
Opinions will vary.
Kash

 

[OM617YOTA]

Opinions will vary.

Truth! Ask about most things saw related, get 10 responses and 13 opinions.

 

[LoneOak]

Right, it's not the ethanol that corrodes things, it's the water the ethanol attracts that corrodes things. The white powder is corrosion. Or maybe you have a coke habit, but your saw won't like running on that either.

https://www.theautochannel.com/news/2016/03/18/209988-ethanol-does-not-suck-water-out-air.html

 

[LoneOak]

 

[LoneOak]

For anyone with the courage to "take the red pill" watch this documentary