Fuel Issues Cause 75% of Engine Repairs in 2-Cycle Equipment
The short answer is that Ethanol replaced Methanol, which replaced lead in gasoline. Ethanol is an octane booster used to increase the burn duration of the fuel, and to resist engine-knock. Ethanol is also fairly inexpensive, and as gasoline prices have been driven higher in recent years comparatively inexpensive ethanol allows refiners and blenders to have more fuel at a lower cost. Lastly, ethanol is perceived to be a "Green" alternative to straight petroleum based gasoline. While the science of this issue is still in debate, the fact that the public believes it to be true is no longer a debate.
What's so bad about Ethanol?
Ethanol is alcohol made from plant sugars, like corn, wheat, barley, or any other plant based sugar. It is one of the best solvents known to man... It dissolves nearly everything. Ethanol is particularly hard on plastic, rubber, and soft metals. (Most two cycle engines are made from aluminum, a soft metal, and use rubber and plastic fuel lines, gaskets, and other components. So by definition, ethanol is hard on your equipment!
Most significant however, is that ethanol is "Hygroscopic" which means that ethanol bonds to water. Ethanol based or ethanol blended fuels that are allowed to sit for a short time will begin to bond with moisture in the air and the result is a process called "Phase Separation" that results in the fuel tank beginning to carry a load of water at the bottom of the tank that when sucked into the carburetor and subsequently the engine can cause tremendous damage through detonations on the piston and by gumming the carburetor.
How Can I Protect My Investments in Power Equipment?
There are several things that can be done to increase the lifespan of your equipment, decrease the frequency of break down and reduce your maintenance costs when it comes to fuel related issues. Number one is simply to use the cleanest, highest quality, lowest ethanol fuels possible. One great source of fuel is TruFuel premixed 50:1 engineered gasoline in a handy 1 quart can available from Scott's Power Equipment!
TruFuel is specially designed for the rigorous demands of the two cycle power equipment market. 100% Ethanol free highly engineered fuel and 100% pure synthetic lubricants are blended together into a 94 Octane rated fuel that is packaged in 1 quart cans and shipped six cans to a case. This fuel is PERFECTLY BLENDED for outdoor power equipment and meets all manufacturers requirements for warranty and service.
But Isn't It Expensive?
A can of TruFuel is certainly more expensive than regular pump fuel mixed with two cycle oil and blended together in a can. But, its benefits are very compelling.
No Ethanol means no problems with water absorption and no phase separation. Pure Synthetic lubricant means a very clean burn. High Octane rating means a more even burn during combustion and a better delivery of power across the piston to the crank and out to the shaft. Built in Fuel Stabilizers insure that the fuel is shelf stable unopened for five or more years, and as long as two full years after initial opening.
The TruFuel Advantage
TruFuel is perfect for homeowners and professional users alike for powering hand held outdoor power equipment. Not only does the product solve many of today's most perplexing fuel related issues and help to control the 75% of engine repairs that are directly related to bad fuel, improperly mixed fuel, or ethanol, it is also simply valuable from the perspective of use of time versus money.
TruFuel is available immediately at all four locations of Scotts Power Equipment.
