Run a tankful of non-ethanol once a month?

[BamaDrewski]

Here it goes. I have read where it is “recommended” to run a tank full of NON-ETHANOL gas through engines at least once a month to “clean/flush” out any nasty gels/remnants of burning ethanol modified gasoline. Has anyone else heard this? Given the expense of non-ethanol in this area, I have been running the ethanol blend.

At first glance, it makes sense. So, I have filled up today with a tank of non-ethanol gas to see if there is any impact on gas mileage and if nothing else, I did so with the hope it "couldn't hurt"...

I do know (from experience) that small motors (especially 2-cycle) run like crap on gas with ethanol. I had to break down a weed eater and clean the carb after running the E-crap. Apparently, (as legend has it) the alcohol in the Ethanol is hygroscopic in nature and attracts moisture. As a result, this moisture can turn into a “gel” ……

For what it is worth, I am on my original fuel pump. I run a fuel injector cleaner through it at least once a month. My two favorites are MMO and Seafoam. If I am about to take a long drive, I always add one or the other. I also have all the original fuel injectors at 307K+ miles.

With all the info out there, it’s hard to discern what is myth or reality. That's when I turn to the real-life panel of users and experts on T4R.org. If anyone can speak to this and/or has opinions/insight, please post it up! Thanks folks!

 

[T4R2014]

I can’t find anything except E10 out here, but these do work better with the pure stuff. If you can find it easily, stick with the pure stuff. I don’t think E10 hurts the life of system parts any worse than a winter blend fuel would. I see plenty of trucks out here with 300k+ and I doubt they’ve run pure gas in over a decade ever since they pushed this ethanol stuff out here years ago. I think it comes down to cost. If you get 2-3 MPG more, is it worth the extra 0.xx?

 

[4Runner fun]

If your driving and cycling fuel it's a non issue, for things that sit it's huge. my boat only gets non ethanol fuel, (HO496) and it will sit for periods of time. My Crawler sits, I have access to non ethanol fuel for it.
Plus fuel stabilizers,

I've also never been sold on any snake oil injector cleaners, No on has been able to definitively show any results.
I have used octane boosters but had better luck with finding higher octane fuels.

My .02
others my have different results.

 

[Lindenwood]

My best friend is a petroleum engineer, and once calculated the relative emergy densities between E15 and 100% Gasoline. Turns out, the difference in energy density happens to be almost directly proportional to their relative prices. That is, while you indeed might get 5-10% better mileage with pure gasoline, you are paying about 5-10% more at the pump.

All that said, while it is true that ethanol is moderately hydrophilic and thus has a slight tendency to absorb moisture into the fuel, I have never heard of it causing proven permanent or semi-permanent harm to remotely-modern engines built around it.

P.S., However, I do think regular use of injector cleaner is probably a valid idea as a preventative technique.

 

[baja1]

gas mileage wise.......we have no ethanol in our gas down here but when I cross north and buy american gas I can't detect any difference? I did buy a pretty new dirt bike that had sat with ethanol gas in it for a year......worse carburetor i've ever seen, running some straight gas once in awhile sounds like a good idea?

 

[LittleCaesar]

I will tell you that the difference is greatly noticeable to anyone on the forum who has rebuilt a 2cyl carburetor for a trimmer, blower. Ethanol just is awful for carbs.

That said, don’t overthink such BD. Fill up and drive. Use the MMO with moderation , but it is good stuff.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I usually have 4oz of acetone in each tank to counter act any moisture the ethanol absorbed. Plus it's a great solvent.

There is a pure gas station 2 miles from me. I tried a tank of ethanol free gas once. No better milage than I normally got and I was out an extra 40 cents a gallon for it.

I have my 2001 lawnboy, 98 54cc poulan Pro
A 2003 42cc poulan pro and a poulan pro leaf blower from from 2004. I put 1 carb in the 42cc chain saw. The diaphragm was shot. I burn 5 cords a year and until around 2 years ago I cut and split it all myself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jgue467]

Here it goes. I have read where it is “recommended” to run a tank full of NON-ETHANOL gas through engines at least once a month to “clean/flush” out any nasty gels/remnants of burning ethanol modified gasoline. Has anyone else heard this? Given the expense of non-ethanol in this area, I have been running the ethanol blend....

I'd have to drive 4+ hours for non-ethanol fuel from central texas area. Not practical, so.......instead I use Startron - from small weed eaters/blowers, (2/4 stroke) to mowers, ATVs and all my engines (4 Toyotas and a BMW). This stuff just works at various things like anti-ethanol, water, fuel tank and fuel system cleansing and carbon removal from inside the combustion chambers. I find it least expensive in the quart size, treats about 512 gallons of gas. Nothing else compares in effect and cost-effectiveness. You can also find it in smaller 8oz bottles in walmarts' marine section.

Run this in all your engines and they'll (you too) will be much happier! It uses enzymes to overcome the alcohol affects and give you a tankful of what you're looking for. :cowboy:

https://www.amazon.com/Star-Tron-En..._rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=BG4DPMYE79PS14D5D6VN