Ethanol/Gasohol Problems with 2 Cycle Engines
2 Cycle gasoline engines have new challenges when used with gas containing
Ethanol.
A 2 cycle engine gets all of its internal lubrication from a special oil mixed
with the gasoline. This premix of oil and gasoline can have serious problems
when Ethanol is added to the gasoline. Lubricating oil normally creates a bond
with the metal components of the engines. The oil molecules create a boundary
layer that protects the metal and reduces friction.
When Ethanol is present it will actually get between the oil and the metal,
preventing the boundary layer from forming. This results in little or no
protection for the moving components, and little or no reduction in friction
forcing the engine to work harder, run hotter, and often to destroy itself.
Also many small engines have plastic carburetors, fuel tanks, and other
components that Ethanol can soften or dry out which will cause them to fail.
Many rubber fuel lines, o-rings, gaskets, and other parts can be
delaminated or
turned to a gelatin like material often failing very quickly.
Storing this type of equipment with Gasohol (Ethanol blended fuel) can lead to
catastrophic failure in a relatively short time.
There are a very small number of additives that can reduce the negative
characteristics of Ethanol in the gas.
We recommend that everyone operating 2 cycle engines switch to a pure synthetic
two cycle oil.
The synthetic oil will provide the boundary layer lubrication in spite of the
Ethanol.
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Diesel Doctor
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