Stabil My not be the Answer

Nope, almost every station here in Iowa for the most part has non ethanol gas, we make it here but they are not shoving it down our throats, never have used it in a 2 stroke.

Yeah, I live in western South Dakota and while we do have stations that sell E10 most if not all gas stations sell at least one octane (91) ethanol free. I personally have no idea if ethanol hurts carbs, fuel lines, injectors whatever... but I don't wanna find out either so I use 91 E free in everything I operate (unless it's diesel motor obviously)

Sounds like I need to bottle gas and sell it to people in the L48! We don't have ethanol fuel here.

It sounds like not everyone around the country has the same fuel which at least partly might explain why some have trouble and some do not.

Just fired the BR600 up today (an engine notoriously picky about it's oil) and it ran perfectly (started first yank too) on the AMSOIL mix I had in it from the fall. And +1 on the Stihl oils having stabilizer in 'em already.

A number of posts in this thread suggest running engines out of gas prior to storage. That's fine for engines that don't run on mixed-gas, but I'd recommend against deliberately running mixed-gas engines out of fuel.

In a mixed gas engine, the gas/oil/air mixture coming from the carburetor passes through the crankcase, lubricating the main and rod bearings, on it's way to the intake port and into the cylinder where it lubricates the cylinder walls and piston before it's burned. So remember that when you run a mixed-gas engine out of "gas", you're also running it out of oil at the same time.

Yeah, I know that that running mixed-gas engines out of fuel doesn't wreck them instantly. I've done it more than a few times myself. Even deliberately on occasion, before the lubrication angle was pointed out to me. But I suspect that it reduces the life of the engine a little bit each time it happens. By how much? I have no idea, but why do it more often than necessary?

For similar reasons, the use of staring fluid (ether) in mixed-gas engines is even more problematic. I addition to providing no lubrication whatsoever, starting fluid is one of the most powerful degreasers you can buy.

+1
I never run my saw out of gas for the purpose of storage.

Further to that, I've seen/heard some folk try to finish a cut as the saw is starting to run out of gas and it makes me cringe. The very moment I hear the saw lean out, I hit the kill switch regardless of where I am in the cut.

Non-ethanol gas is very nearly impossible to find in western WA

Yep. I think that's what killed mine. I was cutting a stump off, and pulled out of the cut to reposition. I was just getting back into it at near wot when it went. There was no indication, it just quit like I hit the kill switch. I probably should have checked, since it was the fourth 30" or so stump I was working on. Live and learn, I guess.

If the saw sputters under throttle, or if it starts to climb in rpms without having the throttle touched, its time to shut it down and refuel. Make that a cardinal rule and you'll never ruin an engine that way again.

I'm sure that's because of your extreme cold climate during the winter months. Don't worry, they'll figure out a way to ruin your gas soon enough.

That's what I meant when I said there was no indication. It just went from a lot of revs to off. It all worked out ok though, I got to make a 79cc saw out of the 6400.

+1 on keeping the starting fluid away from small engines. They just don't like that big of a bang. I substitute Carb & Choke cleaner. Much safer but you can overdo it especially with our little 2-strokes.

Running a pre-mix engine outta fuel will not starve it for lubrication immediately. Certainly not in the time it takes to coast to a stop. The oil residue/film is still there doing it's job even after you run out of fuel. There is no manufacturer that I know of warning us that running our engine out of fuel will result in permanent engine damage. If that were the case I'd think there would be more documented warranty issues for users running there equipment dry. In fact, most manufacturers RECOMMEND running equipment dry for storage. Of course you could accomplish similar results by dumping the tank and pumping the primer, assuming your engine has one.

Gotta love these old wives tales about how to destroy your engine.

I would rather not run an engine dry. If you plan to do that, I would recommend NOT running it out of gas under throttle. Just my HO.

Nobody gets hurt being extra cautious.

I can't speak for every saw ever made, but my saw doesn't just run out of gas and stop in short order. It leans out and screams as it starts sucking a mix of air and fuel through the pickup.

Go ahead, throw caution to the wind and do as wish with your saw. I'ts no old wives tale that running a saw lean is not good for it. Maybe dispelling it as a myth helps you get repeat business.

Actually poor advice seldom results in repeat business and anything I recommend is practiced/tested with my own equipment. Considering there is not a scuff on the 034's cylinder/piston, I'd say we're getting along just fine.

If I really was into dispensing advice for profit there wouldn't be so much of it available here for free.

I have a 34 year old 045 that has ran out of gas a few times in its day, no harm yet but I will let you know.

I try not to run my 2 strokes out of gas.
I do a lot of other quirky things too, I guess.

I have seen a map that has petro stations around that has non-ethonal gas.
there is one about 5 miles from me. I need to try it.

I bought a bottle of motomix and trufuel. I filled my saws and ran them a bit.
they might not see any action for a bit. I don't know if this is good or not.
I have usually used fresh gas and stabil for this

The gas thing might be partly a regional issue. Talking to a guy who repairs stuff at the house yesterday. He is seeing what I'm seeing. People are dragging in OPE by the hoards all with fuel issues. Carbs always full of fish eggs and fuel lines or other stuff rotted. Seems this crappy gas is good for the OPE repair business.

Well... I'd be surprised if, in 34 years, you DIDN'T run out of gas so I'm not sure what your point is.

A couple of posts talked about running out of gas and damaging the engine over time, I was just saying I am wainting for it to happen after 34 years, I aint gonna live long enough to see it happen. I have no point.

I knew a guy that would hang around race tracks promoting a brand of oil additive. He would drain the oil from his engine and drive around the track to demonstrate the protection the additive provided. Now, I doubt he could do that for 34 years and I don't really have a point with that anecdote either.

My saw is older than yours and I've run it out of gas countless times. The difference is that I kill the engine right away rather that let it scream leaned out until the last drop is gone. I've also never deliberately ran it dry for the purpose of storage, preferring to store it with the carb full.

Well LLigetfa you and I are doing it the same way so I guess that's why our saws are still running after all these years.

This, along with buying "100% real" gas seems pretty silly...and a big waste of money to me. It's the gas going bad, not the ethanol. I've got 7 and 15 year old bottles of whiskey on the shelf and they are as good or better than the day they were new. Try that with gasoline! But I guess as PT said...every minute someone else will fall for the ethanol myth and spend $20 bucks a gallon for gasoline.