08 Nov Bad Gasoline Won’t Start Small Engines

Bad gasoline is the number-one reason why small engines won’t start, and here’s how to correct it.

Bad gasoline is the number-one reason seasonal equipment, won’t start, starts hard or runs rough. Over time, gasoline changes, leaves behind gums, varnish and other solids that foul the fuel system and prevent gas from flowing into the combustion chamber. In severe cases, gasoline can change so dramatically that it no longer ignites.

Gasoline is predominantly a mixture of carbon and hydrogen atoms bonded together into energy-dense hydrocarbons. Like conventional base oils, it’s derived from crude oil via a distillation process that uses heat, pressure and other catalysts to create different fractions. Gasoline is comprised of hydrocarbons that are lighter than those found in, for example, diesel fuel or conventional base oils. Refiners add ethanol to the formulation, typically 10 percent, but as high as 85 percent.

Time takes its toll on gasoline with exposure to heat, humidity, atmospheric pressure, oxygen and other variables that degrade fuel.

In addition to gums and varnish becoming more concentrated and less soluble as lighter hydrocarbons evaporate; gasoline is continually oxidizing, which further contributes to varnish and other gunk. Gasoline oxidizes more quickly than motor oil and its negative effects are more immediately noticeable. That’s why it’s important to use high quality gasoline and store it in approved containers where air infiltration is limited, like inside a ventilated garage or shed, and not in the back of your truck or under the deck.

Meanwhile, ethanol added to gasoline at the refinery can absorb water from the atmosphere, which can lead to phase separation, which occurs when ethanol and gas separate, much like oil and water. Ethanol that has absorbed enough moisture and has sat long enough can foul the fuel system and prevent the engine from starting.

Amsoil fights corrosion helping to maintain power and performance and keeping metal looking new.

This all sounds dire, but it’s nothing treating your gasoline with AMSOIL Gasoline Stabilize (AST) can’t solve. Gasoline Stabilizer keeps fuel fresh up to 12 months.

AMSOIL Quickshot® (AQS) stabilizes gasoline during short-term storage up to six months, in addition to providing potent cleaning benefits and protection against ethanol issues.

What does Amsoil gasoline stabilizer do?

Let’s look at the chemistry behind gasoline stabilizers.

Gasoline stabilizer is an antioxidant for your gasoline which disrupts the free-radical-induced chain reaction that causes gas to oxidize and form varnish and gums. Some stabilizer products, like Quickshot, also contain chemistry that increases solvency and breaks down existing varnish, helping clean a dirty carburetor and restore performance.

Gasoline Stabilizer also fights corrosion better than Sea Foam* Motor Treatment.

Neglecting to stabilize your gas can lead to all sorts of headaches when it’s time to remove your lawnmower, generator, string trimmer or Jet-Ski from storage. For best results, stabilize your gasoline all year long. That’ll ensure your equipment is ready to roll when you are.