I've heard from a few sources that premium in Wisconsin is e-free. I have no proof, just what I've heard
91 might be, apparently it is 10% ethanol except for where it's not. Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada
Lol. Their site is wrong. You'll have a lot harder time trying to get e free in this state than the site says. I went down the list and found a couple that I know for 100% fact that the 91 they sell is e10, despite what the site says. There's stickers on the pumps saying that even the 91octane is e10. Also, all the Kwik trips listed that have 91 as efree, well when the tanker pulls up with 91 that is e10, in it goes....
I believe the site lists places that aren't just gas stations. Canned e-free on a shelf, can be listed.
I'm sure that's possible too. Horkn I've done a little more searching. I believe it may be the 91 octane, rather than 93. But there are several that mention a mandate requiring all gas within 50 miles of a large city being at least 10% ethanol. Perhaps that's the case
Well then... That's a different story. I know of a few guys that say they won't run e10 in their boats, etc. That will get expensive if you are using canned gas from a shelf, but for a saw, sure.
Got my 290 back today and total bill was $92.65 Not to bad "I guess". It got a new carb and the flex hose going into the tank was all ate to crap... Looked like dry rot in several spots and many pin holes. The carb gaskets were were mushy, thats what he showed me anyway. Regardless, I wanted it back up and running and it's fine now. I'm not sure who said it but the mechanic who worked on it said storing these saws in a "hot" shed, (like mine) can cause this issue. Now, I'm not a chemist but he asked me if I stored this in an outdoor shed. "Yup"... And weve had 100º days this year and +95º many, many days. I guess heat, ethanol with gas and oil isn't good when storing. I'm going back to running them dry, It can't hurt.
running small eng dry does not help as there is still residual left from the ethanol. that stuff attacks everything , some parts slower than others oxidizes alum. makes gaskets and lines mushy ,diaphragms also or pin holes them, attracts moisture so ferrous metals rust and plastics are affected by either getting mushy,brittle, or start to swell up. Thanks EPA for the 2nd biggest ponzi scheme ( SS is still # 1) makes Madoff look like piker. I live far enough out that I can get e free( well at least it is labeled that way) - suppose I should put some in a jar seal it and let it set to see what happens. Diesel fuel is another issue- sometimes that has been pretty bad in the summer, winter blends seem ok so far.
I had a guy clean the carb on the camper generator. He said a blob of gunk came out of it. The last thing i did before that was run Seafoam through it mixed as per their directions...
Do you have an indoor space you can store it WeldrDave ? If heat issue is true then i must be okay. I've keep my circa 2010 290 in workshop in the lower level. Cant say ive ever run it dry. No Stabil or other similar product used in the gas either. Used older gas/oil mix too. I use 91 octane straight from the pump. Mebbe guy is right as since ive owned the saw and never had any fuel or ethanol related issues that im aware of. Gets used on a fairly regular basis and has cut a lot of wood too. Saw sounds and runs like its "old and tired". It was my only saw til March of last year too. Mebbe the chain saw gods are on my side? Who knows?
Mine's a 2007, this is the first time anything like that happened to "any" of my saws, that's the strange thing...
Great info WeldrDave I've got to be more careful of storing my equipment and combating the ethanol problem.
Thanks Chuck! But the real answer is "who knows"? I've stored my saw's in the shed for years without any issues. I've been digging into this lightly but I'm realizing some folks have an issue, some don't. What's the answer? I know heat can break stuff down and I'm far from a chemist but I'm leaning toward "bad batches of gas"! Ironically, this particular saw is the only one I had left gas in and had the problem and it's not my oldest Stihl. I have a 1988, 021 and still runs fine. My mowers, Generators, weed whacker, tiller, leaf blower are all in the sheds.
