Thread: E10 Unleaded and small motors

My mechanic's advice.. 'best not to use it in small engines'. So I don't.

It is generally not recommended, mainly because it absorbs water and results in corrosion in carburetters in engines that have long periods of disuse.

However, it is becoming impossible to avoid using as NSW at least, and presumably other states, have legislated to include 10% ethanol in all petrol, and labelling that it has it is not required. I don't know when this will actually come into force.

It is best to assume that all petrol includes ethanol, and take the precaution of always turning the fuel off and running the carburetter dry when stopping for the night.

And drain the fuel tank if not being used for more than a few days.

The problem is worse in damp climates, not so bad inland.

John

I try to avoid it in all my 2t equipment. I prefer to use BP 98 octane stuff. I have been told by some knowledgable kart racers here that Shell's 98 octane stuff has ethanol in it, but BP's does not. I can not be 100% of that.

As John said, If Im not going to use my stuff for a while, like a chainsaw or concrete saw, after Ive finished using it and let it idle cool a little, I drain the tank and restart and just let idle until it stalls out.

Don't use the ****!!!

It will make all the rubber perish and crack. I've been through a few motorcycle engines and small engines replacing rubber because its stuffed.

Cheers
Will

Originally Posted by MR LR jnr.

Don't use the ****!!!

It will make all the rubber perish and crack. I've been through a few motorcycle engines and small engines replacing rubber because its stuffed.

Cheers
Will

And exactly how do you avoid using it, seeing it is becoming a legal requirement, and there is no requirement to label it? Using high octane unleaded is almost certainly a safe option today, but there is no guarantee it will remain safe, and every reason to believe it will not.

John

Been using it for 5 years in my mower. It still starts first time every time and i only use it now and then, not all the time, so saying that it kills rubbers is bull ****. Been running it for 3 years - 20,000KM in SWMBO motor bike without issue as well. Just had a major going over by the Dealer and they found no problems with it.

I think too many people get over cautious from negative campaigns over the years, and go on what 'a friend of a friend said...'

As already mentioned, try and avoid it in some states - near impossible and you don't hear entire populations up in arms about it.

Would you like me to mail you the hardened fuel lines and all the CB250 carby rubbers?

I run 98 now, hasn't been sending the rubber hard, so there must be a difference.

How old is your mower bacicat?

Junior is sort of right - it causes some older rubbers (not all) as in those used before about 1988 to perish.

Newer stuff is OK.

In this aspect there should be no issue using in more modern engines - however the water in the fuel after long storage could be an issue.

Garry