Notice your small gas engines won't start easily anymore? Are you having to pull your arm off starting your lawnmower, chainsaw or outboard motor? The government doesn't want you to know this but your problems with small engines will likely be their mandated ethanol in the gas.
Farmers' groups have been lobbying the government to make refineries add alcohol from corn to their fuel in the name of cleaner air. Engines feeling the brunt of this legislation the most are small, sparsely used engines that can gum up from sitting with this fuel in their systems.
For the last decade or so I have been using Shell's premium grade gasoline for my small engines because it contained zero ethanol. even though it costs more than regular. I was rewarded by never having any small engine worries. The extra cost is marginal because I don't use very much. (I burn regular fuel in my car)
BUT SOMETHING HAS CHANGED - I filled my small engine gas jug at Shell last week and noticed something different at the pumps. There is no longer a notation on the pump about ethanol, specifically about V-Power (Hi Test) containing NO ETHANOL. I checked on line and sure enough at the Shell web page there is no mention of ethanol. Has Shell quietly added ethanol back into its premium gasoline?
This means that any small engine that doesn't get run every day (to cycle through fresh gas) will likely gum up as the fuel begins to gel in the carburetor. This usually takes up to three months but can occur in as little as one month depending on the heat and humidity.
Watch this video which describes how to test your gas for ethanol and how to remove ethanol from regular gas. I was really hoping there was some other way to buy zero ethanol gas. Now am I going to have to add water and decant off all my small engine fuel? What a hassle!
For Canadian consumers, first responders, farmers, foresters, professional landscape contractors, landscapers, and other small business owners, it’s never been more important to protect your power equipment investments.
The Trudeau administration has stated it will move more quickly to “net zero” emissions. What has not been disclosed to Canadians is the price to be paid in jobs, the economy, and personal losses for damaged power equipment and engines made inoperable.
By 2050, fossil fuels are expected to be completely banned in Canada, beginning next year.
Starting in 2022, all gasoline sold in Canada at gas stations will be blended with ethanol, including premium gasoline according to proposed regulations. The problem is with blended fuel – gasoline mixed with ethanol, and primarily blends greater than 10%.
Most engines, particularly older motors, were not built, designed, or warrantied to run on fuel containing more than 10% ethanol.
At most risk are motors not engineered to run on any blended fuel such as classic cars, motors with carburetors, and 2-stroke engines requiring oil mixed with the fuel.
The list of affected products includes outdoor power equipment including chainsaws, snow throwers, rototillers, trimmers, mowers.
Additionally, off-road machines. ATVs, boats, and snowmobiles will be impacted. Using higher than 10 percent ethanol can damage or destroy their engines.
Some small equipment manufacturers are now offering pre-mixed fuel, until it is banned completely. For example, a .946 litre of Husqvarna fuel, (pre-mixed to 50:1, 95 Octane, no ethanol) for a chainsaw can be purchased for $12.99 at Canadian Tire.
Even at almost 13 dollars per litre, the plan is to eventually ban all non-renewable fuel at any price.
While electric substitution is growing in usage, in reality the world will be using oil and gas for decades to come.
Consumers and industry need time to adapt.
We all want to do our part to help ensure energy used is as clean as possible. Until real alternatives to burning fossil fuels are in place, particularly for people living and working in small towns and rural communities, the federal government needs to be told to STOP making energy unaffordable.
The new fuel regulations are like a tax on jobs and investment with no evidence of net benefit to the environment.
How to protect your engine at the pump
First, understand which fuel is appropriate for your equipment. Read your owner’s manual for specific fueling requirements. Most warranties are voided with the use of inappropriate fuel.
Check the ethanol content at the pump. Ensure it is the right fuel for your engine. Select the correct gasoline for that specific engine. Always reference your owner’s manual for fueling instructions.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
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