Proudly Serving Austin Since 1988
  512-339-0971   Monday -Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday

With approved credit

*** All Products We Stock Are Displayed Assembled & Are Serviced And Tested At The Point Of Sale ***

We reserve the right to change prices without changing the pricing on our website

Austin Outdoor Power Equipment, Inc . 11104 North Lamar, Unit G,  Austin TX 78753 -  512-339-0971
Copyright © 2010 AOPE all rights reserved.

Why does bad fuel damage engines?
Today's modern fuel's contain ETHANOL and BIO-DIESEL which attract water and cause issues such as phase separation, corrosion, fuel decay, instability, and contaminants. These issues directly affect your engines and power equipment in a negative way.

Ethanol Blended Gasoline
Ethanol blended gasoline (the E-10 gas you buy at the pump) contains 10% Ethanol. Ethanol in fuel attracts water and settles on the bottom of your fuel tank to cause a corrosive Ethanol / Water mixture (phase separation). This corrosive mix moves from the fuel tank to your engine causing problems such as varnish / gum, severe corrosion, and dried / brittle rubber and plastic parts.

The Problem with Ethanol

Ethanol Harms Rubber and Plastic
Did you know that ethanol can have devastating effects on power equipment? Ethanol blended gasoline can damage plastic and rubber fuel system components, particularly in older power equipment not designed to tolerate ethanol. In the example to the right, the bowl gasket became brittle and non pliable.

Ethanol Corrodes Engines
Ethanol is corrosive by nature and hygroscopic (attracts water), particularly when higher amounts of water are present. This type of damage to a carburetor is typical when phase separation occurs and the highly corrosive ethanol / water mixture corrodes fuel system components.


Ethanol Causes Fuel Decay
High amounts of oxygen in ethanol blended fuels cause gasoline to decay faster, and if left standing for long periods of time, the decaying fuel leaves varnish and sludge deposits as depicted in these carburetor images.

Gasoline and milk are both organic -- they decompose the same way. A foul, sour smell indicates BAD GAS! Power equipment not treated with an ethanol fuel stabilizer will become hard to start within 30 days. Gasoline will decay in as little as 60 days!


Phase Separation

2 Cycle Phase Separation
The engine to the right has been destroyed from phase separated fuel. Ethanol is hygroscopic (absorbs water), the vial to the right is from the fuel tank of this engine. The fuel on top is gold in color because 2 cycle oil will only bond with the gasoline. The octane is also lower because the ethanol has separated from it and bonded with the water below. Approximately ¾ of the clear fluid in the bottom of the vial is ethanol. The ethanol water mix settles in the bottom of the fuel tank and is picked up by the fuel system, then delivered to the carburetor. The engine ran on this ethanol mixture, causing it to run extremely hot with no lubrication. This damage occurs in only a few minutes of operation. The engine also ran out of control, which poses serious safety concerns for the equipment operator.

4 Cycle Phase Separation
This carburetor suffered from severe phase separation. More than likely, rain water entered into this fuel system, creating the severe corrosion you see. This carburetor cannot be repaired and must be replaced.

Engine Failure from Varnished Fuel
This piston and crankshaft assembly came from a 2-cycle engine that ran on stale fuel. The engine was hard to start and had low power. It ran long enough to gum all of the internal components, including sticking the rings.

Why bad gas occurs
The problem with gasoline containing ethanol (E-10) is when it is left standing in a fuel system for long periods of time with fluctuations in temperature & humidity -- the fuel will start to decay in as little as 60 days. What would happen if you left milk in the back of the refrigerator for 60 days? E-10 gasoline decomposes the same way, just not as visual -- a foul, sour smell is prevalent when E-10 is decaying.

Click on the Manufacturers Logos Below for more information on 
the effects of Ethanol in Outdoor Power Equipment

Over 75% of Repairs on Small Engines with Starting/Running Issues are Fuel Related... Primarily Due to ETHANOL

Can ethanol damage your engine?
Automakers have filed a lawsuit against the EPA's decision to make E15 (gasoline with 15 percent alcohol) legal for all cars after 2007. They argue that, among other problems, the blend could damage the engine. ... Just about every gallon of gas pumped today contains as much as 10 percent domestically produced ethanol.

It is a misconception to think Small Engine Service Centers Benefit from Ethanol, It truly causes endless customer related issues due to repeat failures as a result of Ethanol. Therefore... we try to educate our customers on the effects of ethanol and recommended prevention.

Remember, Due to Ethanol in Fuel... Manufacturers will not cover
Fuel Related Isssues/Failures Under the Manufacturers Warranty.

aaaaaaaaaaaaiii