Removing ethanol from petrol

Has anyone removed the ethanol from petrol and used the resulting fuel in saws and other small 2cycle engines? From what I have seen, it is best to use premium gasoline because removing the ethanol reduces the octane level. How important is octane level in chainsaws?

 

I always use 89 (ported and non ported).

 

Better/easier to use a ethanol treatment additive IMO...or just buy E free fuel.
High octane fuel is only needed if your saw has high compression...many (most?) stock saws run fine on 87 octane. Contrary to popular belief, high octane fuel will not give you more power. High octane fuel is only needed to control pre-ignition detonation in "hot" saws

 

It's hard to explain that to those not knowledgeable. Very true though. My BIL insists on buying premium fuel for all his vehicles because it's better... Ugh. I don't even try anymore.

 

I can buy ethanol free fuel but they have really jumped in the price difference. My friend told me that the ethanol in the fuel deteriorates the fuel lines in the saws. I did have to replace the fuel lines in my echo weedwhacker.

 

Do you let them sit for long periods unused? And in a non climate controlled environment?

 

I inherited the echo weedwhacker from my sister and I don't know the use it had before coming to me. It had running issues but my friend worked with it and got it running again. I only have had the weedwhacker two years. I drain the fuel during the winter months when the weedwhacker will be sitting in the shed resting for the winter. This spring it started acting funny; wanting to cut off if angled a certain way and I inspected and found the fuel lines bad. I ordered a new set; filter, rubber grommet etc and that solved the problem. My friend said the ethanol deteriorates fuel lines after a certain amount of time.

 

Yes on the non climate control environment; the temperature and humidity in the shed is the same as what is outside; maybe a bit cooler in the shed during the summer.

 

Before I started tearing into saws I paid a shop to replace the crank seals and fuel line on my brother's 026 Pro. The saw only had 20ish hours on it but wouldn't run under load due to an air leak. Ethanol was the reason the shop gave me. I now only use ethanol free gas. Luckily we live close to lake Erie and boaters seem to demand ethanol free so there are plenty on options to grab 5 gallons in our regular travel.

 

Manufacturers recommend a higher octane because it's generally better has but it's not needed for a saw.

I have seen a handful of saws that were detonating but it was from bad gas not low octane.

Bad gas has to be at the top of the list of saw killers.

 

I run ethanol gas in all my stuff, even my 2 strokes. I've been running it for 20+ years. It works fine, and the saws are designed to be able to run e10.


If you let it sit a long time, you can run into issues, but there's no need to worry.

 

I run ethanol fuel in all of my 2 cycle (and 4 mix) equipment and I have not had a fuel related problem.

 

I run 87 e10 and have never had trouble.
If it sits a long time with any gas your going to have problems.

 

Yeah, so many people think that e free gas last forever.

 

Eye run hi octane fuel and toss a little ethanol shield in my fuel mix.

 

How high?

 

91 octane, 50:1
Ran Jonsered fuel mix for years and years, bought a 6 pack of Red Armor when it 1st came to market,,currently running Stihl dino.

 

I'd just ignore all this if it isn't true...even better, just hit the ignore button. Gettin tired of readin about it all over around here lately

 

I cleaned up this thread, now let's stay on topic. If you want to fight go elsewhere, you're not doing it in this ring!