When using equipment powered by gasoline, choosing the right fuel is essential to keeping the power equipment in good working order. Using the wrong fuel can damage engine parts and make equipment unsafe to operate. Potential problems include power loss, overheating, deterioration of fuel lines and other engine components, and an increase in engine idling speed that may cause cutting attachments to turn on by themselves. For ECHO and Shindaiwa 2‐stroke engines, fuel must contain no more than 10% ethanol. This rule applies to most other brands as well.
Ethanol Problems
One of the main problems with ethanol fuel when used in power equipment is the fact that it attracts moisture from the air. This begins as soon as ethanol is exposed to air, and happens quickly in high humidity or if the fuel is not stored in an air-tight container. Most fuels that contain ethanol remain usable in an engine for less than 30 days.
Once ethanol absorbs enough water to reach its saturation point, the water and ethanol separate from the gasoline and oil mixture that is used to power 2-stroke engines. Since the water and ethanol settle to the bottom of fuel tanks, this results in engines running off the water and ethanol instead of gasoline and oil. This may result in serious engine failure that will mean replacing the carburetor and possibly the entire engine. When an incorrect fuel causes engine failure, repairs are not covered by warranty.
Best Types of Fuel
If you shouldn’t use fuels high in ethanol, what fuels should you use? When purchasing gasoline from a local gas station, it’s almost impossible to find unblended fuel. The next best option is gasoline that contains no more than 10% ethanol. This is also called E10 fuel. Fuels blended with a higher ration, such as E15 or E85 fuels, cannot be used in small engines.
To avoid all ethanol-related fuel problems, both Echo and Shindaiwa power equipment with 2-stroke engines can be run using Echo PowerFuel. This fuel is pre-mixed at a 50:1 ratio of 93 octane gas and Echo Red Armor Oil. This fuel is far more stable than fuels containing ethanol, and will remain usable for up to 2 years as long as the container is re-sealed after each use. This fuel does not need drained before storing power equipment, since it will remain stable in the fuel tank as well.
More Fuel Tips
Unless the fuel is stored properly, even a 10% concentration of ethanol can become unusable. There are, however, a few steps you can take to protect your engine while using E10 fuel. First, only purchase fuel that is clearly labeled to contain no more than 10% ethanol, and buy only as much fuel as you can use within 30 days. To keep fuel fresh, add a commercially available fuel stabilizer at the pump. These stabilizers must be added immediately after pumping – they will delay fuel going stale, but not reverse the process.
Do not store fuel containing ethanol in old fuel containers that aren’t air-tight. Modern self-venting fuel containers with “no spill” self-sealing spouts are the best choice for keeping moisture out of E10 fuel. Before filling up your power equipment, shake the fuel container for about 30 seconds to keep any water that has gotten into the mix from settling. If you don’t use all the fuel in the fuel tank up and won’t be using the equipment for the next 30 days, drain the fuel to prevent rust and build-up in the carburetor.
