On Jul 28, 2:05*am, zxcvbob wrote:
All the gasoline here, regardless of grade, is E-10 gasahol. *It doesn't
last as long in storage as 100% gasoline. *So for 2-cycle fuel (which I
don't use a lot of) I've started using a shotglass when I mix it. *The
shotglass is graduated at .5, 1.0, and 1.5 ounces. *I mix 1.5 ounces of
good quality 2-cycle oil with .55 gallons of 89 octane gasoline for a
50:1 mix (it's just a little rich.) *I don't add any Stabil, but when
it's 2 or 3 months old I pour whatever is left in the 2-cycle gas can
into my truck. *Then I mix a fresh batch next time I need some.

I got tired of mixing up a whole gallon at a time and having it go
stale. *Then I used it anyway, and it would eventually gum up my
carburetors.

I'm currently using Castrol (or maybe it's Penzoil) 100:1 rated TC oil
in a quart bottle. *When that runs out, I may switch to QuickSilver PWC
(from Mercury Marine) synthetic oil -- the TC stuff, not TC-W3.

Now if I could just come up with a good method of remembering when I
last filled all my gas cans, so I know how old the gasoline is. *(do you
think a blackboard in the garage would work?) *I use Stabil in the
6-gallon cans for the generator, and dump them in the truck and refill
about twice a year. *It's the little cans that I can't keep track of.

BTW, I buy one 2-gallon can of 91+ octane Premium gasoline in the spring
for the first tank or two of gas in the mower and tiller (etc.) *They
seem to start easier that way. *When that can is empty, I switch to
Regular for the rest of the season. *By then they are either running
good, or they are not going to run good 'til I get them tuned-up.

Bob

I don't think gasahol is less stable but it is more prone to absorbing
moisture and too much water would cause separation. Addition of oil
would only add to the problem.

I see no need to worry about gas stored for less than a year unless it
is exposed to a lot of moisture and air.
Air/oxidation is what causes gas to gel. Gas should be stored in
filled, tightly sealed containers.

For my generator and in the generator itself, I add 2 years worth of
Stabil. After two years, the gas goes into my car and lawnmower. I
have a piece of masking tape on the cans with the date purchased.

Interesting idea about the premium gas. It may have extra carb
cleaners. In my Lawnboy, I found it best to use their 2 cycle oil as
it probably has detergents for this. I had been using a premium brand
of 2 cycle oil but was needing frequent carburator cleaning. Before
switching back to Lawnboy oil, I cleaned up the carb by adding cleaner
to the gas.

Near the end of the grass cutting season, I add Stabil to the gas and
leave the mower full. It is a good idea to start up any engine with
gas at least every 6 months as there may be evaporation in the
carburator causing blockage. This happened to me last year with my
snow thrower. Then I read in the manual not to use gasahol.
Alcohol increase the solvent power of gasoline which has been a real
PITA to everybody.