BAD GAS!

BAD GAS OR STALE GAS HAS BECOME THE MOST COMMON REPAIR PROBLEM IN RECENT YEARS.

Today's fuel has a very short storage life. It can begin to go stale in about six weeks.

Unfortunately, most small engines at home don't get used enough within that period to use up all the gas in your gas can. The gas goes stale. The engine won't start. "And I just had this thing tuned up a couple of months ago!"

Stale gas smells like varnish. It will eventually turn to varnish. It will plug fuel filters, disintegrate fuel lines, harden diaphrams and block off all small passages in your carburetor.

Gas mixed with oil goes stale faster than straight gas.
Gas goes stale faster in hot weather. Small amounts (like what is left in your carburetor) goes stale quicker than large amounts.

WHAT TO DO:

1. TURN OFF FUEL COCK (if there is one) and then run engine until carb is dry. This is for short term storage - up to a couple of months.

2. DON'T MIX TOO MUCH AT A TIME. i.e. Don't buy 5 gallons of gas to do a half hours work.

3. USE A FUEL PRESERVATIVE (STABILIZER). They work. But double the recommended dose. They say one ounce per gallon, I say two ounces.

4. DRAIN THE GAS OUT AND RUN IT OUT. This is for long term stare.

5. USE PREMIUM. It seems to last longer and for 2stroke machines I insist on it.

6. COMPLAIN TO THE OIL COMPANIES. Not me. They're the guys selling this junk. This was never a problem before.