Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > While I wait for the snow, what about the fuel?

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JoelKlein

I wonder how a 2021 snow blower will look like...

Joined: Sep 26, 2011
Points: 74

While I wait for the snow, what about the fuel?
Original Message Dec 25, 2011 9:50 am

Happy holidays every one! ... bought the toro 1028 OXE back in October, right after the very first early snow storm. Was not able to try it in snow... I added the startron stabilizer And filled up the tank with 93 octane. I tested the new baby, showed off without spinning augers... But now it's a long time unused. My question is: is it okay for the fuel to sit in the carb for such a long time? Thanks!

This message was modified Dec 25, 2011 by JoelKlein

Toro 1028 OXE

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niper99

Location: London Ont
Joined: Dec 2, 2007
Points: 354

Re: While I wait for the snow, what about the fuel?
Reply #42 Dec 28, 2011 1:06 am

carlb wrote:

Due to its design high octane fuel is designed to to ignite at higher compression levels as to not detonate or auto-ignite in a high compression engine. It also has a slower burn rate and a slower moving flame front. This will cause a loss of power in a lower compression engine as the fuel will start to burn later and will be burning slower, still burning after the piston reaches BDC, effectively reducing the amount of power extracted out of the fuel. You could advance the ignition timing to help solve this problem but you still wont get any more power out of the engine. The net result will be wasted unburnt fuel, loss of power, and even carbon buildup on the exhaust valve that after a while will lower compression even more due to the valve not being able to seal the combustion chamber.

I suggest you run what ever octane you like in your engine, however, running 93 octane in an engine designed for 87 is not only a waste of money is will surely cause a stock low compression engine to loose power and even carbon up. Did you ever hear the saying use the right tool for the job. 87 octane is the right tool for a low compression engines period.

Higher compression engines require higher octane to prevent Pre-ignition/detonation.

I have been running 87 octane fuel in my small engines for over 30 years with no problems.

If you want real high octane (short of buying racing fuel) gas get some 100LL (available at small local airports) it even still has tetraethyllead in it.

I run Avgas (100 LL) in my 11.8 compression 434 cubic inch 69 camaro which makes over 625hp at the rear wheels. It has a very sweet smell when burned and is blue in color

hey carlb... very nicely explianed!!! .. excellent info and easy to understand..

niper99

Location: London Ont
Joined: Dec 2, 2007
Points: 354

Re: While I wait for the snow, what about the fuel?
Reply #43 Dec 28, 2011 2:07 am

To add to carlb post on octane...when fuel becomes stale it looses its ability to ignite easily.... so on older snowblowers where the compression is lower than normal they seem to be more prone to no starts from stale fuel...i have noticed without a doubt that the older snowblowers this seems to happen more frequently too, but certainly not limited too...

l recommend to my customers even when using stabilizer in there fuel is they use there fuel no more than 2-3 months, without stabilizer 1 month....then get fresh gas to avoid starting issues... stale fuel can cause hard starting,,prolonged cranking,, and premature fouling of the spark plug....and thats when the engine starts!!

The number one question i get when recommending to a customer to use stabilizer in there fuel is "where do i get rid of the old fuel"...easy just pour it right into your car gas tank...your car wont mind the stale fuel as it has a much higher compression ratio..and it gets diluted in with the existing fuel in your cars tank...of course this ONLY pertains to straight gas and NOT mixed gas.

newjerseybt

You want it done right?...You better learn how to do it yourself!

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Location: Honesdale, PA
Joined: Dec 19, 2004
Points: 171

Re: While I wait for the snow, what about the fuel?
Reply #44 Dec 28, 2011 9:27 pm

niper99 wrote:

...of course this ONLY pertains to straight gas and NOT mixed gas.

I was told never to dump old mixed(2 cycle)gas in my truck as it might cause damage to the evaporative emission devices and cause the "check engine" indicator to light up. You might then fail State inspection which will compel you to waste money on this political device. :')

JoelKlein

I wonder how a 2021 snow blower will look like...

Joined: Sep 26, 2011
Points: 74

Re: While I wait for the snow, what about the fuel?
Reply #45 Dec 29, 2011 1:46 am

Hay guys, you convinced me... No More 93 in the snow blower. I'm even thinking of draining the 93 from the 1028. So it won't burn hotter, or create slow flames, and build up carbon, and etc... The SB is brand new and I want to keep it that way. But I do know that regular 87 have waste in it that can accumulate. What can I do to keep the fuel lines and the piston chamber CLEAN? Including my Toyota sequoia ?

Toro 1028 OXE

carlb

Joined: Nov 16, 2010
Points: 279

Re: While I wait for the snow, what about the fuel?
Reply #46 Dec 29, 2011 7:06 am

JoelKlein wrote:

Joel,

The only difference between 87 and 93 octane is the additive package that is added after the gas is refined. If anything the 87 octane has less in it the the 93 octane fuel.

I suggest you run what the manufacture calls for in your particular engine and not let it worry you. As far as the 93 octane you now have in your blower, just use it, it will be fine, but for long term use, use the fuel the manufacturer calls for.

Carl

JoelKlein

I wonder how a 2021 snow blower will look like...

Joined: Sep 26, 2011
Points: 74

Re: While I wait for the snow, what about the fuel?
Reply #47 Dec 29, 2011 8:35 am

Thank you! I understand. If I may ask one more question; in terms of automobils, Whats the reason a OLD engine won't produce as much power as a new one? what can be done to prevent that loss of power ? In other words: what can I do to make my car drive in 5 years like it drives new? In yeas from now, will my snow blower loose power too?

Toro 1028 OXE

carlb

Joined: Nov 16, 2010
Points: 279

Re: While I wait for the snow, what about the fuel?
Reply #48 Dec 29, 2011 11:52 am

all you can do is take care of you auto or ope. Change the oil, oil filter and air filters when required.

Good fuel will help keep injectors clean and maintain a good spray pattern.

All engines will loose power as they get older it's just a matter of how much power they loose and most of that is directly attributed to how the engine was maintained.

Change you oil, oil filter, air filter etc as recomended by the MFG (your owners manual will give you the intervals)
Use good quality gasoline of the correct octane.
Use good quality Oil and filters.
Don't drive a cold engine hard, drive it easy until it warms up.
Don't abuse your equipment.

I have seen dozens of cars with over 200k the still run very well with little loss in performance even with those kinds of miles

stresst

Location: The Village in the Middle of New York
Joined: Dec 11, 2010
Points: 213

Re: While I wait for the snow, what about the fuel?
Reply #49 Dec 30, 2011 10:06 pm

I was reading somewhere about using the Startron in fuel will increase its shelf life to 2 years! Is that possible?

TORO 826OXE

MGreiner

Location: Iowa
Joined: Dec 12, 2011
Points: 8

Re: While I wait for the snow, what about the fuel?
Reply #50 Dec 30, 2011 11:40 pm

just my 2 cents, it says right on the sta-bil bottle that it's only good for 2 years after breaking the seal, so you need to check on how long you've had it.

Machines: 80s era 826 John Deere, 1977 Ariens 932001 20in and 2.7hp Tec, 2004 Frontier ST0521

CharlesW

Joined: Jan 9, 2011
Points: 76

Re: While I wait for the snow, what about the fuel?
Reply #51 Dec 31, 2011 12:47 am

stresst wrote:

I was reading somewhere about using the Startron in fuel will increase its shelf life to 2 years! Is that possible?

Read some more.

What Startron actually says on their web-site:

"Gas and diesel fuels break down rapidly which results in lost power and poor performance. Star Tron stabilizes the fuel chemistry for up to two years in gas and in diesel."

Up to two years is not the same as saying it will definitely increase shelf life to two years.

Personal opinion. (worth what it cost you) I use one year as my fuel life limit, stabilizer or not.

Those that say stabilizer is a waste of money have had much better luck than me. I have cleaned plugged carb jets on lawn mowers, snowblowers, snowmobiles and motorcycles when they were left for the off season without stabilizer added.

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