E85

[Ozwynn]

So has anyone used it in a 2 stroke at 40:1?

 

[sgtsandman]

So has anyone used it in a 2 stroke at 40:1?

Ethanol fuel plays havoc with air cooled engines of any kind. It is best to run non ethanol fuel, if you can. If you can't, keep the ethanol level as low as possible.

Also, If the engine in question is going to sit for months at a time before next use, pump out as much fuel as you can out of the tank, run it until is shuts off from fuel starvation, and drain the residual out of the carburetor bowl. Some have a drain bolt, others require the bowl to be removed. This prevents varnish and other things from building up in the fuel system and causing problems in the future.

Also, E85 is damaging to rubber and seals not designed to handle them and corrodes metal parts of the fuel system that aren't corrosion resistant like stainless steel. The engine also may not run correctly or will have reduced power because it isn't designed to burn that kind of fuel.

This is a long winded answer to your question but a necessary one as to why instead of just giving you a straight yes or no answer.

 

[franklin2]

So has anyone used it in a 2 stroke at 40:1?

I try not to run E10 in my chainsaws and weedeaters if I can help it. As was said in the above post, too many fuel tank and carb issues with it over time.

 

[Ozwynn]

So in conclusion, there is no advantage to it

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

So in conclusion, there is no advantage to it

A drop of water (aka condensation) will separate the alcohol from gasoline.

Two stroke oil only mixes with gasoline

Gasoline is lighter than alcohol

So the pickup in the bottom of the fuel tank will only be pulling straight alcohol.

Great times to be a two stroke engine owner when it is running on straight alcohol!

Also, If the engine in question is going to sit for months at a time before next use, pump out as much fuel as you can out of the tank, run it until is shuts off from fuel starvation, and drain the residual out of the carburetor bowl. Some have a drain bolt, others require the bowl to be removed. This prevents varnish and other things from building up in the fuel system and causing problems in the future.

How it was explained to us in Echo training...

Best to store summer power equipment wet. Quality two stroke oil has Sta-Bil type formulations included. Storing wet helps preserve the diaphragm (basically acts like a fuel pump) and keeps them from drying out and getting hard during dry weather in winter.

Winter two stroke equipment sits longer with more ambient humidity and could be argued could better store with dry carbs but again they said with stabilizers as part of quality two stroke oil additives they also recommended storing wet but without as much conviction as the summer stuff sitting a couple months in winter.

 

[Ozwynn]

Honestly what little I need powered equipment for… suck as chain saws and weed eaters and lawn mowers, my 80v battery powered stuff from harbor freight has me covered. But I’m considering pulling the trigger on a 2022 YZ 250x … it has direct oil injection…. But if I have to buy that expensive race gas for it just to trail ride then I’m going to continue looking for a 4 stroke I can run on 87

 

[franklin2]

Honestly what little I need powered equipment for… suck as chain saws and weed eaters and lawn mowers, my 80v battery powered stuff from harbor freight has me covered. But I’m considering pulling the trigger on a 2022 YZ 250x … it has direct oil injection…. But if I have to buy that expensive race gas for it just to trail ride then I’m going to continue looking for a 4 stroke I can run on 87

What do you think about these bikes?

 

[sgtsandman]

How it was explained to us in Echo training...

Best to store summer power equipment wet. Quality two stroke oil has Sta-Bil type formulations included. Storing wet helps preserve the diaphragm (basically acts like a fuel pump) and keeps them from drying out and getting hard during dry weather in winter.

Winter two stroke equipment sits longer with more ambient humidity and could be argued could better store with dry carbs but again they said with stabilizers as part of quality two stroke oil additives they also recommended storing wet but without as much conviction as the summer stuff sitting a couple months in winter.

Interesting. I've never heard any of this but I also never got any formal training on power equipment. Even when I sold power equipment.

I guess my 2-cycle engines are getting a double dose of Sta-Bil then since the raw gas gets treated when the 5 gallon cans get filled with raw gas. Those cans are used to fill the 2-cycle cans when they get down to about 1/4 gallon (the can is a 1 1/4 gallon can).

I do know that my carburetor issues went away when I started doing the above procedure on my 4-cycle engines. So, I just brought it over to my 2-cycle equipment.

 

[franklin2]

We have a few stations that sell non-ethanol fuel. That is your best insurance for fuel in small engines. If you live near a place that has a lot of boats, they sell it also. Even if you use stabil, I would not use any ethanol fuel in a small engine.

 

[sgtsandman]

We have a few stations that sell non-ethanol fuel. That is your best insurance for fuel in small engines. If you live near a place that has a lot of boats, they sell it also. Even if you use stabil, I would not use any ethanol fuel in a small engine.

We have an off brand gas station near by that sells non-ethanol fuel. There are a number of boat docks around, mostly on the other side of the river. So, this is the most convenient option outside of buying what power equipment stores sell at exorbitant prices for a 1 gallon can.

 

[Ozwynn]

What do you think about these bikes?

I considered an electric dirtbike…. But I do multi-day trips with remote dispersed camping where recharging, while not impossible, would be a problem.