A while back I wrote about my Dolmar 5100s blowing up. It was out of warranty but the dealer covered it. Good dealer, cant complain. They INSISTED it was caused by ethanol in the gas.
Up to then I have never had a engine blow. I am meticulous with engine care, cars, trucks, boat motors, diesel tractor, motorcycles/ATV, lawn equipment, never had one blow or fail. I mix my gas and oil like a scientist. My last chainsaw (Craftsman) lasted over 20 years. Everyone seems to ridicule them here but it lasted through a lot of hard use with no problems.
My Dolmar died again. My Shindaiwa started emitting puffs of white smoke. Back to the dealer.
Dolmar piston and jug is toast (again with only a few hours since rebuild), the Shindiawa has a scored cylinder but still runs good, they told me to run it until it dies. They checked the mixture, it was OK. Air filter clean. Dealer says its ethanol again.
I followed all the rules, correct oil, never leave gas in it, use fresh gas each time. I use my saws once a week.
I need a new saw. If ethanol is the problem, who makes one that can burn it? Surely the manufacturers have to know its out there and we cant do anything about it.
So can anyone level with me?
Was Dolmar a bad choice?
Would a higher ratio of oil helped lubricate/protect the cylinder? I have been using Echo oil at the dealers recommendation. They say the ethanol "washes" the oil off. Would more help?
I am honestly wondering what the point is in purchasing a new expensive saw if the gas will destroy it? Why not plan on buying several cheap ones and toss them when they die?
I need a saw that works, winter and summer. All the gas around here has ethanol.
Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated.
Up to then I have never had a engine blow. I am meticulous with engine care, cars, trucks, boat motors, diesel tractor, motorcycles/ATV, lawn equipment, never had one blow or fail. I mix my gas and oil like a scientist. My last chainsaw (Craftsman) lasted over 20 years. Everyone seems to ridicule them here but it lasted through a lot of hard use with no problems.
My Dolmar died again. My Shindaiwa started emitting puffs of white smoke. Back to the dealer.
Dolmar piston and jug is toast (again with only a few hours since rebuild), the Shindiawa has a scored cylinder but still runs good, they told me to run it until it dies. They checked the mixture, it was OK. Air filter clean. Dealer says its ethanol again.
I followed all the rules, correct oil, never leave gas in it, use fresh gas each time. I use my saws once a week.
I need a new saw. If ethanol is the problem, who makes one that can burn it? Surely the manufacturers have to know its out there and we cant do anything about it.
So can anyone level with me?
Was Dolmar a bad choice?
Would a higher ratio of oil helped lubricate/protect the cylinder? I have been using Echo oil at the dealers recommendation. They say the ethanol "washes" the oil off. Would more help?
I am honestly wondering what the point is in purchasing a new expensive saw if the gas will destroy it? Why not plan on buying several cheap ones and toss them when they die?
I need a saw that works, winter and summer. All the gas around here has ethanol.
Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated.