saw gas

T in NE · Nov 23, 2013

All our gas around here now has ethanol. I know Stihl saws are especially susceptible to it. Decided to try some of the "engineered" fuel in the can from Orshlen's. It's pricey at $6 a quart but the little MS250 really likes it, and will run quite a while on a can. Even starts easier. But I'm not sure I want to try running my big Husqvarna (288XP) on it all day.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 23, 2013

I haven't had any trouble with the gas but I picked up a power washer for my SIL and the shop said to use Stabil in the gas all the time.

Wheat Farmer · Nov 23, 2013

I do NOT know, but heard people were trying aviation fuel. 100LL oct. About $6+ per gal. I do know mine runs better with a less oil mix because of the altitude.

VaTom · Nov 23, 2013

My three Stihls have never seen anything but ethanol gas, zero problems. My local Stihl dealer swears that the fuel lines fail, but has no explanation why I"ve had no problems for all these years. One is a German Stihl, a monster power unit.

Just this week I saw that my local gas station is now offering ethanol-free gas, just after I bought my usual 2.5 gal.

Prawn Farmer · Nov 23, 2013

I buy pump grade 93 octane premium and use Stihl synthetic oil in my Stihl equipment and saws - sometimes 3 gallons per week. Haven't had as much as a hic-up from any of them.
Might check Baileys out - they usually have the canned saw fuel on some sort of special that is if you can justify other products to order to offset their $150 free-freight set point.

D beatty · Nov 23, 2013

I use premium gas with Opti-2 ( has fuel stabilizer in it) along with an additive that combats the effects of ethanol. I use this mixture in my old and new saws ( Sthil,Echo and Huskqvarna).Stihl has a fuel stabilizer in their oil but no additive to combatthe effects of ethanol.

IH2444 · Nov 23, 2013

I use premium gas with Startron fuel stabilizer and no worries.
I Used to use Stabil but upon recommendations tried Startron and like it better.

D beatty · Nov 23, 2013

Are useing the one that the fuel is good for 2 years and also helps combat the effects of ethanol?

IH2444 · Nov 23, 2013

(quoted from post at 03:41:38 11/24/13) Are useing the one that the fuel is good for 2 years and also helps combat the effects of ethanol?

I think so I have fuel over 1 yr old and it still runs fine. The old generator started first pull and the gas has been in there over 1 year. Just checking it out and changing the oil getting ready for winter. Have a 35 gal drum of gas with Startron ready for the winter.

I started getting little slimy dregs in the gas when using stabil.

with Startron in the gas even my old Troy Build Horse (1972) with the HH60 Tecumseh starts fine with year old gas.
Always had to clean the carb once each spring with stabil gas in it.

36 Coupe · Nov 23, 2013

Startron was 95% naptha last time I checked.

IH2444 · Nov 23, 2013

(quoted from post at 04:01:40 11/24/13) Startron was 95% naptha last time I checked.

Don't care it works.
Does not smell like naptha.

rick n ohio · Nov 23, 2013

i have 5 stihls and i have never had a problem with gas

NCWayne · Nov 23, 2013

I use nothing but regular pump gas in my Husky and have done so for over 15 years with no problems. My buddy bought a new saw awhile back and has been using nothing but the 'engineered' stuff in it......it locked up on him the other day.... That said I don't know what the mix on his saw is supposed to be, so that may have been a problem, but before using the stuff insure the mix for your saw and the mix percentage of the 'engineered' stuff is the same or that can cause some serious issues....

Ted in NE-OH · Nov 23, 2013

Everyone thinks the higher the octane the better the gas, not so. The higher the octane , the higher the firing point so less ping in high compression and maybe harder starting for chain saws. I have two husky"s use reg gas for years , no problem.

old · Nov 23, 2013

Do not know about your area but in Missouri if you buy the premium gas as in the gas that costs the most it is alcohol free.

J.Wondergem · Nov 23, 2013

That's what I use. Premium with the mix in it. Snowmobile and Quad also.

D beatty · Nov 23, 2013

Thats why I use Opti-2 and mix my own. Opti-2 you have one mix covers all my saws (old or new Stihl, Husky or Echo). I also run premium because it runs cooler than regular and cooler is better on 2 cycle air cooled engines.

farmer boy · Nov 23, 2013

I just use 87 octane gas and Castrol premium 2 stroke oil.
I haven't personally had a problem with ethanol gas in small engine equipment. People may call BS on this, but I recently tried ethanol free, premium gas (92 octane) in the 038 Magnum. That saw ran like crap, back fired, etc. and has never run so hot. Now I have a bunch of mixed premium gas that I have to mix into 87 octane over time.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 23, 2013

Lowe's has the Tru-fuel brand, at $4.99/ quart, if you buy 6.

jm. · Nov 23, 2013

This thread has been wore out and seems like it all depends on the person or what part of the country or something,,Some have problems some do not. Here on the farm we have 8 sthil hand held small items and some are over 12 years old. Been using 87 oct E10 for years no problem. Sometimes if I pick one up that I know has not been started in 6 months or so I might pour out the gas and add new but most time just crank and go.

Paul from MI · Nov 23, 2013

I use premium with Sta-Bil in my newer high compression saw, older ones get regular with Sta-Bil. Haven't had any troubles. I use marine gas(no ethanol) in the tractors that I show with Sta-Bil over the winter. Others that get used all the time just get plain old gas, again no problems.

Goose · Nov 23, 2013

I agree that this topic has been worn out.

The owner's manual on a Stihl MS170 I bought new last year simply recommends not to use gasoline with over 10% ethanol. Haven't checked to see what my MS250 says, but it also runs fine on E10.

I've used E10 in anything and everything for years. The ONLY problem I ever had was a '76 Chevy pickup would tend to vapor lock on E10 if the temp was above around 70 degrees.

T in NE · Nov 23, 2013

We had regular 89 and E10 87 here but they quit piping in 89, so now we have 87 E10.

T in NE · Nov 24, 2013

Few more details:
Dad gave me this saw, because it started too hard, and he bought one of their easy-start models. He got this one to replace the one he bought three years previous, which had new gas lines put in it after a year.

I haven't used this saw much, but it would idle funny with ethanol in it. It does seem to run a bit hot, but it runs steady and doesn't have the funky idle. I am going to try it in the boss' Husky 455 sometime, once that thing gets warmed up it won't idle and won't hardly start. It's been that way since about half way through its second tank of gas.

I need to get a muffler on my 288 and get a chain or two for it before I can try it. It seemed to run OK with ethanol.

Side note:
Why is it when you tell the saw shop you want the good chain (which will have "72" or higher stamped into the drive links), they give you the cheap "42" stuff and tell you it's good chain? I think a warm stick of butter will hold an edge longer than that stuff. That's why I got the 28 inch bar, I didn't want to have to stop and service the chain every half tank of gas!!!

T in NE · Nov 24, 2013

Oh, and I've only been running E10 in the amigo I got last winter. No adverse affects there, that I can tell. My Super M is still back east but I don't expect too much trouble with it, either. When I was out here to visit a few years ago I got better mileage with 87 E10 than I did regular 89 (06 Chevy V6 truck).

sammydwm · Nov 24, 2013

I bought a brand new MS310 a few years back and have used 10% in every tank since I've bought it. We heated with wood till last year so it has more than a few hours on it.
Never used any sort of gas stabilizer or any other snake oil stuff.
It starts easily any time I go to use it.

MarkB_MI · Nov 24, 2013

The main advantage of the gas-in-a-can is its shelf life. What you can do is run your big saw on your regular mix, but use the premix for your last tank of the day.

old · Nov 24, 2013

Only one blead of gas?? Most places here have at least 3 if nt for blends

greygoat · Nov 25, 2013

I have used nothing but "Pump Gas", all of my
life, in String trimmers, Chain Saws, Lawnmowers,
tractors, Cars, Trucks! I"ve never had a problem.

T in NE · Nov 25, 2013

That's what I was thinking of doing.
Course, my back doesn't take to toting that big saw around like it used to, so the last tank of the day could be my second.

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