Beware what gas you put in small engines
Milwaukee Biz Blog had a recent story noting that the Environmental Protection Agency has approved higher levels of ethanol—E-15, or 15 percent alcohol—in gasoline for use only in autos and trucks that were built in 2001 or more recently.
Briggs & Stratton’s small gas-powered engines, however, are designed to run on up to E-10, or up to 10 percent ethanol. Using gas with higher levels of ethanol, such as E-15, will hurt engine performance and longevity. It also could damage the engine and void the Briggs & Stratton warranty, the company says.
So what should you do? Pay close attention to gas pumps at your local filling stations, Milwaukee Biz Blog suggests. Some may offer both E-10 and E-15 or even have blender pumps that dispense mid-level ethanol fuels for “flex-fuel” autos.
With an estimated 80 million walk-behind and riding mowers nationwide, valued at almost $50 billion, the potential financial impact on consumers is astronomical, Briggs & Stratton warns.
The company is urging the EPA to educate consumers and put in place methods for consumers to prevent misfueling.
What those methods might be, the story didn’t explain.
In the meantime, when you’re filling your little gas can to fuel your mower, snowblower or some other small engine, you’d best pay attention to that label on the gas pump.
Greg Peck can be reached at (608) 755-8278 or gpeck@gazettextra.com. Or follow him on Twitter or Facebook
Oct 31, 2012 at 3:58 p.m.
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You should NEVER put ANY gas that contains ANY ethanol in a small engine. I realize that's a strong statement, but just ask the guys who fix small engines. Even if the engine is new enough that the o-rings, gaskets, and filters are made to withstand the chemical challenges, ethanol absorbs moisture. It may not be too bad in a car that's being driven frequently, but in any engine that sit's awhile, using 100% gas is worth the extra cost.
Oct 31, 2012 at 3:18 p.m.
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And us consumers will have to pay for the upgrades on our auto engines made after 2001, not the auto makers, IMO.
Oct 31, 2012 at 9:13 a.m.
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Buy an ethanol tester they are like $25. One of my cars runs on E85 only (not flex) so the air fuel mixture is tuned to expect the fuel to be truely 85% methanol. Kwik trip is very good about their mixtures and usually right on within a percent or two. "The Station" on the west side however their E85 tested only 30% ethanol... I wonder what their regular gas test as? I would not go there for anything.
Oct 31, 2012 at 5:01 a.m.
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Only a country run by folks who claim everything is based on good intentions would think using food as fuel is a good idea, as these same people ignore this costs the needy more money; the very ones this program was intended to help....Dohhhhhh!
Oct 31, 2012 at 12:53 a.m.
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This is another GREAT example of unintended consequences of destruction, via government policy of mandates-subsidies. Not only has ethanol been nothing more then a MEGA boondoggle for corn producers, which has created an industry that would be TOTALLY BROKE if not for government subsidy, it has mandated a corrosive substance into our fuels, that is utter destruction to small engines. Any small engine mechanic will tell you countless stories of the damage this crap has done. A few guys I know (engine mechanics) laugh and say: "well, at least it keeps me in business". Nonetheless the ethanol SCAM, propped up COMPLETELY by government policy (in the form of subsidies and mandates) has been nothing but BAD for the American public, and economy.
Oct 30, 2012 at 7:22 p.m.
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Chainsaw Barney gave me that advice a few years ago. His best tip: at the multiple type single hose gas pumps, put the first 2 or 3 gallons in your car first , then fill your gas can. Otherwise you will be getting whatever type of gas the guy before you bought as the first few gallons are still in the gas hose and line.
Oct 30, 2012 at 6:09 p.m.
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Me neither.
Oct 30, 2012 at 5:17 p.m.
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Do not use ANY ethanol blend in your small engine, outboard motor, or old collector car.
Buy the ethanol free at Quik Trip or other stations.
Oct 30, 2012 at 1:18 p.m.
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I just get ethanol free premium gas at Kwik Trip for all my small engine needs, which reminds me I need to get some 'winter blend" for the snow blower soon.
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