My understanding is yes but….

 

Does EFI eliminate some of the issues caused by Ethanol?

Yes. EFI can adjust fuel trim on the go, unlike a carb. EFI is less susceptible to vapor lock vs a low pressure fuel system.
Fuel storage habits affect ethanol more than ethanol affects carburetors. Most all issues fuel related to ethanol are a result of poor fuel storage habits, and equipment storage habits. Agree/disagree, doesn't matter to me, that is the simple fact of ethanol.

Switching to higher octane fuel is the best thing you can do for your small engine anyway. Ethanol blend or not, the higher octane burns cooler. A good thing on air cooled engines.

 

Yes. EFI can adjust fuel trim on the go, unlike a carb. EFI is less susceptible to vapor lock vs a low pressure fuel system.
Fuel storage habits affect ethanol more than ethanol affects carburetors. Most all issues fuel related to ethanol are a result of poor fuel storage habits, and equipment storage habits. Agree/disagree, doesn't matter to me, that is the simple fact of ethanol.

Switching to higher octane fuel is the best thing you can do for your small engine anyway. Ethanol blend or not, the higher octane burns cooler. A good thing on air cooled engines.

In your opinion, is it worth it to run ethanol free in the bigger mowers all the time?

 

Simple answer: EFI engines tend to have a more sealed fuel system, so 'generally' speaking they can handle ethanol better. Plus they operate at higher pressure, so they can overcome some of the gumming due to ethanol.

Explanation of simple answer: Ethanol is hygroscopic, it absorbs water from the air. To oversimplify this is the root of the ethanol problem. The more sealed the fuel system, the less water (humidity, moisture) the fuel is exposed to, therefore the less water it will absorb. Ethanol generally doesn't cause problems in vehicles because their fuel systems are sealed, plus the fuel tends to get used up in short periods of time.

The above is another way of saying what @98GHS said, its all about fuel storage. If you're using the equipment a lot (using fuel quickly) ethanol really isn't troublesome. It becomes troublesome if it is stored for 'long' periods of time in vented cans, or vented (most carbed) equipment tanks.

 

Higher octane ignites at a higher temperature yes, but burns slower. Slower burn, and produces less BTU’s. You won’t notice an increase in power because it’s a low compression engine. But higher octane does burn cooler. Air cooled engines run hot enough that the higher ignition temperature isn’t an issue.

You won’t get spark knock from higher octane. Spark knock occurs because lower octane fuel ignites too soon. (Takes less heat to ignite it.)

 

My 2 cents is go premium no ethanol if its going to take time to burn thru, like my 5 gal 2 stroke mix. Somewhere along the way I was told that premium has a better blend of stocks in it and will keep longer. I don't know if/how accurate that statement is, but it seems to work fine for me. The extra $2 is worth the peace of mind for me. I use the fully sealed no vent 'safety cans' for this type of stuff so it won't get moisture in it, and I might get 2 years out of a can and never a single carb issue.

 

Different grades of fuel WILL NOT make your engine run hotter or cooler 🤣

 

Ever test it? 😉

 

I have a fuel tank on my mowing trailer. Full it’s 35 gallons. That’s my main fuel tank for the mowers and small engines. Occasionally I carry 5 gal for one reason or another. 2 stroke mix gas is in a steel “safety” can like above. But I still cycle through it reasonably quickly.

 

@98 -

What are your thoughts on Stabil? I use it when I have fuel in something I won’t use for months (like my boat). I have confidence in it.

 

What the heck, I was liking bakers info on this forum again and now they banned him 😡

 

They really have a burr in their saddle blanket for that guy. If this is the future of this site, they are going to wind up losing a lot of us that have been here a long time, and end up with no one but a bunch of newbs asking each other questions with no one having an answer.

Whoever banned 98GHS- leave him alone for crying out loud! I really don't care what the reason was either.

 

They really have a burr in their saddle blanket for that guy. If this is the future of this site, they are going to wind up losing a lot of us that have been here a long time, and end up with no one but a bunch of newbs asking each other questions with no one having an answer.

Whoever banned 98GHS- leave him alone for crying out loud! I really don't care what the reason was either.

I feel bad what's the harm in difference of opinions?!

 

In honor of J.

What? Me banned again???

 

FWIW I’ve been using ethanol in my EFI Kohler for about 900 hrs over 5 years with ZERO fuel issues

 

I've never had any trouble with E-10 in any of the efi engines I have owned.

 

Bring Back Baker!!

 

Yeah.. Jon doesn't deserve to be banned.. period.. he has been a wealth of knowledge.. he's a smart person..

 

I suspected for a while that 98 was Baker.

I was glad to see him back, too ban the Admins here feel otherwise......

 

the voices of the weak seem to get the loudest voice around here.. that's a sad fact

 

Heck I'm a newbie here and he and I got into it, but nothing worth crying about. He certainly has a wealth of knowledge from what I've seen and while I don't know the history I agree with you all... These places are all about sharing knowledge and while its best to be nice all the time we are humans and it doesn't always happen. Don't like someone? Thats what the ignore function is for...

 

What ethanol issues are there on mower engines? I run 10% and have for almost 20 years now, never had mower engine issues.

 

He was knowledgeable, straight and to the point. I deal with people like that all the time and have learned to not let them ruffle my feathers. On another note and totally off the rails, Mike N,glad to see another drag racer here! As for Sta-Bil, I use Marine 360 in my 5 gallon jugs which then gets cycled into my machines and two stroke cans. My thoughts are, since my equipment sits in an enclosed trailer with the hot days and cool nights, Id rather have some sort of protection. I'm also considering trying the regular Sta-Bil 360 during the season and marine over the winter. Keep in mind, I don't use fuel like most of you guys do as I'm only part time, so it's probably not practical for full time guys that fill everyday.