Ethanol may cause small engine problems
BOISE -- Since the ethanol-gas blend E-10 became so prevalent at the pumps, mechanic Mike Blessing says he's seen a huge increase in fuel-related problems in small engines that power machines such as lawnmowers.
"It's not good for any of these little motors," Blessing said. "It's hard on them and costly for customers to keep it going."
Blessing says the biggest problem is the ethanol-gas blend attracts moisture, which can gum up the engine.
"It's very corrosive to these little carburetors," he said. "It actually eats the inside of the the carburetors."
However, the Renewable Fuels Association says the blended fuel is perfectly safe and points out small engine manufacturers have long permitted the use of ethanol fuels.
But at at the Mag Small Engine shop, the advice is: use gasoline without ethanol.
But that's not as easy as it seems, the American Automobile Association says there are only five places in the Treasure Valley that offer gasoline without ethanol: Ultratouch Car Wash at 8160 Overland Rd. in Boise and the Meridian location at 835 Fairview, Grandel Petroleum in Boise at 2757 Federal Way, Justos at 518 E. State St. in Eagle, Big Smoke at 234 W. Franklin Rd. in Meridian, and the Phillips 66 at 4426 Garrity Blvd. in Nampa.
"It's not good for any of these little motors," Blessing said. "It's hard on them and costly for customers to keep it going."
Blessing says the biggest problem is the ethanol-gas blend attracts moisture, which can gum up the engine.
"It's very corrosive to these little carburetors," he said. "It actually eats the inside of the the carburetors."
However, the Renewable Fuels Association says the blended fuel is perfectly safe and points out small engine manufacturers have long permitted the use of ethanol fuels.
But at at the Mag Small Engine shop, the advice is: use gasoline without ethanol.
But that's not as easy as it seems, the American Automobile Association says there are only five places in the Treasure Valley that offer gasoline without ethanol: Ultratouch Car Wash at 8160 Overland Rd. in Boise and the Meridian location at 835 Fairview, Grandel Petroleum in Boise at 2757 Federal Way, Justos at 518 E. State St. in Eagle, Big Smoke at 234 W. Franklin Rd. in Meridian, and the Phillips 66 at 4426 Garrity Blvd. in Nampa.
