[r schipul]

Am I the only contractor affected by carburetors which seem to stop working. I've always had problems with carburetors on all types of equipment ever since CT started oxygenizing gas. Doesn't seem to matter whether I add a gas stabilizer or not. If the equipment sits a couple of weeks, it's toast. Take apart the carburetor only to find a gummed up mess. I try to drain all the gas out of small equipment in between uses. Repeatedly turning over the engine (with and w/o choke)until every last drop is out. Which helps but is somewhat time consuming.

I used my chipper 2 weeks ago. At the time, I added stabilizer with the gas. Today it won't start. Same with the log splitter. I'm not a mechanic. I can take apart carburetors(4 to date this season) on hand equipment up to say 20 hp. The carb on my chipper is much more complex. Although I don't know where to start, I was so pissed I just started removing anything that looked like gas went through it. The whole time swearing that if I ever choose to leave the green industry it won't be because of the work, long hours or money. It will be because of f_ _k_ ing carburetors. If I only had I bridge close to my house I'd end the misery and jump. thanks for listening.

[Gardenhaus]

Let me preface this statement with the disclaimer that if it doesn't start when we turn the key I call the dealer and let them fix it

It may not be your equipment, it may be your source of fuel. We fuel our vehicles (all deisel) at the same place. This sounds like common sense, but the source for your fuel needs to have high turnover to provide consistent fuel quality.....important up here in the middle of nowhere.

Maybe your source for fuel has a water leak in their tank and you are getting contaminated fuel to begin with.

Consider this an intervention and don't jump off the bridge.....try another fuel source.

[Bill Schwab]

Get yourself a 55 gallon barrel of VP or Sunoco racing fuel and run that. Even if you mix 50-50 methanol runs great in small engines and usually makes up for the ineffiencies the manufacturers can't get over because of the fuel problems we are having.

[Pelican]

Originally posted by Gardenhaus
Let me preface this statement with the disclaimer that if it doesn't start when we turn the key I call the dealer and let them fix it

Probably a good thing, diesels don't have carburetors, LOL!

I don't know much about oxygenated gas,it sounds as though that's the cause of your problems though. We don't have it and my machines with straight gas start and run a year after being stored.

Have you considered a weekly regimen of running all your equipment for 5 to 10 minutes? This would flow fuel, allow fresh gas to enter the carb and also allow the detergents to do their thing. Sounds like a PITA, but it beats R&Ring a carb!

[Gardenhaus]

See pelican......told ya, if the machine/car/truck/dingo/lawn mower /oven/plumbing/wife....fill in the blank doesn't start when you turn over the key/flick the switch/open the valve.......call the dealer/plumber/electrician/carpenter/Dr. phil

[r schipul]

Pelican,

That's exactly what I planned to do a couple of years ago. Starting all equipment on a regular basis. I was more wishful thinking. There just isn't enough hours in the day. Your lucky that you do not have our government sactioned oxygenated gas. It supposedly is much cleaner for the environment. The larger the amount of contained fuel the longer the shelf life. I've heard that a 5 gal. container has a shelf life of about a month. Small amount of gas in a carb. probably 30 seconds. Result is gas turns to a dry maple syrup consistency. NG. A bought a compactor 10 years ago. Before I used it, the carb had to be replaced. Never been used. Local dealers recommend running everything dry after every use. A chore to say the least.

[Toddppm]

The race gas is a good idea but a little expensive. Another alternative is to use AVGas which should be a little cheaper and will have a much longer shelf life. I've never used AVgas but do use race gas for my bike, it's always the same quality unless getting it from a distributor who doesn't sell much and it sits in the tank for long time.
Expensive either way but sounds like it would be worth the savings in stress.