Briggs & Stratton develops additive to offset ethanol's effects on small engines

pioneer press ^ | 7-10-13 | Rick Barrett

[TurboZamboni]

Briggs & Stratton Co. has never liked ethanol because it can make a mess of things at the worst possible time -- like when you need to cut the grass and your lawn mower spits, sputters and just won't start.

Often, water in the gasoline is the culprit, according to Briggs, the world's largest manufacturer of small gasoline engines.

And the company says the biofuel additive ethanol, which is contained in most of the gasoline people buy today, can attract moisture out of the air like steel sticks to a magnet.

Moisture in gasoline is a big problem for boats, lawn mowers, generators and other equipment powered by gasoline engines, said Scott Wesenberg, manager of Briggs' fuel systems group.

[TurboZamboni]

Pawlenty signs bill increasing ethanol content in gasoline by Laura McCallum, Minnesota Public Radio May 10, 2005

Minnesota is the first state with a law mandating 20-percent ethanol use by the year 2013.

http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/05/10_ap_ethanol/

will our republican 'leaders' in MN repeal this?

[afraidfortherepublic]

Briggs & Stratton vs ethanol — protect small engines

FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.

[Pearls Before Swine]

I hope the additive works. Current stabilizers help a bit.

Obama’s War on Pollution is also a War on Small Engines.

[thackney]

the biofuel additive ethanol, which is contained in most of the gasoline people buy today, can attract moisture out of the air like steel sticks to a magnet.

BTTT

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The additive doesn't eliminate ethanol in gasoline, but it displaces water and keeps ethanol from gumming up an engine's fuel system, according to Wesenberg. Ethanol, he said, leaves residues that "never stick in a nice place." There are other fuel additives that displace water and keep gasoline fresh in storage, but Briggs says it's the first engine maker to develop its own formula that does those things and more.

After a gradual introduction, the additive is now available at thousands

of locations where outdoor power equipment with Briggs & Stratton engines is sold, including Home Depot and Walmart. A container that treats up to 40 gallons of gas sells for about $7.

[rstrahan]

A necessary additive for classic/antique cars. The only car forum I found that touted ethanol and claimed it did no harm to older cars was sponsored by a biofuels association.

[GailA]

I hope so our lawn equipment has run ragged since this crap was added to gas. Even fuel cleaner does not help. And the Cub Cadet rider is just 2 years old, and was winterized.

[eartrumpet]

We have a 1980 golf cart that I rebuilt and we use it around the place for all sorts of chores. One day the wife ran out of gas and accidentally used some ethanol instead of the premium. The cart ran another few days and is now dead. I think a carb rebuild might fix it, but it is such a pain to have to worry about gas killing a gas engine.

[mountainlion]

Another problem is that ethanol is a solvent and dissolves the neoprene diaphragm in my Atv. It softens and warps the carburetor parts of my chain saws.

[TurboZamboni]

call your local gas stations to ask if they have one pump with ‘non-oxygenated’ gas or ‘ethanol free’.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I only use ethanol free ( marine ) gas in all of my small engines. Costs more but worth it.

[thackney]

Not available in some areas, like where I live.

Thank you EPA.

[TurboZamboni]

One in every 25 stations here in my part of MN.

Due to the hot rod lobby and boaters.

[Marie Antoinette]

Cheaper than what we just bought...

[thackney]

For me, 180 miles round trip to the closest ethanol free station shown on http://pure-gas.org/extensions/map.html

[TYVets]

Pure-gas.org

100% Gasoline

[Mr. K]

so... the government tells us we need to have ethanol in gas and we have to buy a $7 product to cancel the destructive effects of the ehtanol

That’s good government!!

[phockthis]

sfl

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I find Pure Gas’ list missing some stations near me that I think were on it at one time. Those stations still have it. Search local fishing sites or ask a boater for a better picture of what stations sell it.

[.45 Long Colt]

I got tired of buying new equipment and paying for repairs, so I started doing the same thing. The difference has been night and day.

[thackney]

I don’t believe in a government that protects us from ourselves.
- Ronald Reagan

The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them away.
- Ronald Reagan

The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’
- Ronald Reagan