I'm getting different opioions on ethynol in 2 cycle engines.

Buddy #1 says, You need to run them dry after every use or the ethnol will ruin the plastic tanks and other parts.

Buddy # 2 says, If you run a 2 cycle engine dry you are running it w/o oil at the end and it going to ruin your engine.

Since Weed eater season is upon us, I'd like to know what my learned Olds Buds have to say.

 

I don't run any of my 2 cycle equipment dry at end of season.

I simply use fuel with a stablizer in it....like lawnboy 2 cycle oil mix. Works for me, no problems and I use it in all 3 of my 2 cycles. Furthermore, I haven't had any problems using 10% ethynol blends.

I would not want to knowingly use E85 though. If I had to, I would consider running them dry. Even then, the mix still has oil in it. The danger is running lean/hot at the very end of the fuel supply. I would want them to idle dry..... not full throttle dry.

 

How old are the toys you are talking about? in the 90's when all the gas changes came about the two stroke snowmobiles were taking pistons out left and right till the jetting was upped for the oxygenated gas. I try to run the off road classic car gas in my mower and whip and dirt bike's gas turn bad slower and holds it usable properties longer.

 

I have used local regular pump gas, which is 10% ethanol, in my 2-cycle weed-whacker motor for the past 15 years. I've never had a problem and have never thought twice about it. I don't run it dry. I just leave the gas in there and use it up at the start of the next season. The sit from October to March has never hurt it.

 

I race 2-stroke shifter karts. We run our engines mostly dry at the end of the weekend. The oil seperates and gums things up. BUT you need to do it carefully. Don't let it lean out and over rev. keep your hand near the air box and when it starts to lean out, choke it. Now a weed wacker motor can take a lot of abuse, $5,000.00 shifter motor not so much.

Mike