Just picked up my pressure washer today. Had a conversation with the engine technician there. He said he would only use premium gas on small engines because alcohol attracts moisture in the gas tank, and ethanal damages plastic tubings. And he would fill up the gas tank every time he’s done using a small engine, in that way, no moisture would accumulate in the gas tank.
He also mentioned I should adjust the belt regularly, at least examine it (this part I agree).
He looked very confident about what he was saying.
What do you guys say about these?
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At least in my area not all premium gas is ethanol free. There are stations that offer it but they not only have signs in front of the station but stickers on the pumps stating it. I run ethanol free in my boats, mowers, weed eaters etc but I run my pressure washer enough I don’t feel it’s necessary. I don’t want to have to pay attention to where I get gas. It is true that “ethanol” absorbs moisture out of the air. That’s the reason behind all these newer frustrating gas cans, to create a ventless system. I don’t see how filling it up after every use could help in any way. I don’t know on adjusting the belt as mine hasn’t needed that yet but you should definitely be giving your equipment a good visual inspection on a fairly regular basis. Several years ago the fuel lines and gaskets were more susceptible to the ethanol. It’s improved but still not good for it. Hope this helps.
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I agree with what Dalton said. Premium doesn’t mean ethanol free. That just means a higher octane level. It has to be labeled ethanol free. We have quite a few stations in my area that are ethanol free. In my small town we only have a Casey’s for gas and they only recently added it which kind of surprised me. Casey’s has been here for years and never offered it before. I guess there’s money to be made and more and more people are running there small engines with it.
I too don’t think it is as important for your equipment if you’re running it all of the time. It definitely doesn’t hurt though. Letting your equipment sit for an extended period of time is when it causes more issues. I can’t even count how many carb problems I’ve worked on for people due to the yellowish gum from ethanol. The main issue with most of them is they let their mower sit all winter with fuel in it. Never let your equipment sit for too long with any fuel in it. If I know I won’t be using my equipment for a week or two I shut off the fuel and run the carb out of gas. If the carb has a bowl I’ll drain it too. I run all my chainsaws, weed eaters, etc on ethanol free but I don’t run my mowers or pressure washers with it because I run them frequently. They do have fuel treatment additives for gas such as Star Tron or Stabil. They’re suppose to help with ethanol and with moisture issues. It’s suppose to help fuel if you leave it sitting in a can for an extended period of time by restoring the octane. As far as filling the gas tank everyday due to moisture? You’re always going to have a little bit of air space up top even when full so I don’t buy that one. I’ve never had a small engine issue due to moisture in the fuel and I’ve never intentionally kept them topped off.
Your belt shouldn’t loosen as long as you have everything tightened up. Although, you definitely want to do a walk around every morning and check things out especially engine and pump oil. I think those two are worth checking every morning or maybe even before each job. You never know when a seal could start leaking or something else could fail from your trailer bouncing around. It’s not likely but that’s probably the quickest way to ruin your equipment. The engine should have a low oil cutoff switch but the does not. Proper maintenance will net you many more hours out of your equipment.
Here’s a link to a site where you can find ethanol free gas in your area if you end up wanting to use it. It does include Canada.
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Belts need tighten every couple hundred hours or so. They don’t loosen, they stretch. Two or three tightenings and then replace
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I’ve heard very similar advice from well respected small engine mechanics in my area. Even for ethanol gas, they claim that premium is better in small Honda engines. I still don’t understand why, but for the amount of fuel I use, I figure why not spend a little more on good fuel.
The idea of topping the gas off is so that any moisture that does accumulate in the tank is diluted. Having a tank that’s half full would probably be good enough. You just don’t want to leave it sitting with a very small amount in the tank.
For any of my small engines, I shutoff the fuel valve at the end of each job, and when I know I won’t be running it for a week or more I run the carb dry. Pull the choke lever just as it’s dying, and you can burn most of the fuel that’s left in the bowl.
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We have RFG (ReFormulated Gas) here on all grades, so not only 10% ethanol but some other additives to reduce emissions. I’d have to drive 30 miles to get regular 10%.
My uncle owns a NAPA, and his store is an authorized STIHL dealer. Hes told me in no uncertain terns that the ethanol in today’s gas is garbage on small engines. He said to get ethanol free if possible, and 93 octane if not.
He’s also a kickass connection for my blowers, trimmers, and chainsaws…but that’s a different topic.
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Leaving any kind of gas even with stabilizers in it for longer than 3 months is bad. I drain the gas out the carb bowl and lines if i know i wont be using it often. Kerosene too.
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I don’t keep fuel in cans long enough to even mess with stabilizers. If I have any gas in cans I just dump it in my truck before it sits too long and refill the can. I make sure my truck has over half a tank if doing this. If my 2 cycle gas sits too long it gets mixed with used motor oil to start brush fires. It’s such a small amount I could probably throw it in the truck too without it doing anything.
It’s crazy how ethanol fuel can turn so dark in such a short amount of time.
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I’m glad I read this post. Where is a good place to order belts? I’d like to have a few around before I run into the problem rather then after.
Any other parts related to the skid I should keep around? I’m pretty good about extra stuff not engine related but I’m not that mechanically inclined. Never really tried to be. Thanks
I like using Dayco GPL Premium belts for my air compressor, tiller, etc. They seem to last a lot longer. IBS might recommend something else for pressure washers though. All you need is the measurement of the belt and you can source them locally. I go to a farm store to get my belts.
As far as engine I always keeping an extra igntion coil, fuel pump, extra fuel line, and plugs.
If you ever want to replace any of your engine parts that go bad we can walk you through it.
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Thats funny i do the exact same thing with my gas. I used to keep a full 5 gallon jug of gas around incase the power goes out but i quit doing that. There hasn’t been a power outage that i could get through without driving 20mins away to a gas station with power but i am looking into a propane/gas power generator propane can sit for a long time.
I use gates belts for no other reason than Oriellys happens to carry them. A belt is a belt probably. Just make sure you use V or cogged belts
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If you run Hondas, keep an extra coil. If you run vanguard’s, keep an extra fuel pump
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A propane generator would be nice that way it’s always at the ready without having to worry about gas. We don’t have power go out too often but we did a few weeks ago for like 10 hours. We live about 2 miles from town but the whole town was out too. It probably got down to -5 that night too. I scrounged around for gas and was able to siphon some out of the golf cart that I use to haul wood from the woodpile to the house. We heat with wood so I wasn’t concerned with warmth or even that pricey side of beef in our freezer spoiling. I was more concerned with my wife getting bored and making me sit there and talk with her all night…lol…A generator allowed her to watch American Idol or whatever that one is with Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, and that maroon 5 guy.
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Lmao well i now know how to siphon gas now letting the fuel pump do the work for me but that would only get me about 10 gallons before i drained tbe battery.
