"HK" wrote in message
m...
Frogwatch wrote:
I took the Tolman back to the mechanic and he decided to look it over
while I was there. Took the cover off and he pronounced "Bad gas,
smell that varnish smell" and yes, I did. He verified spark and fuel
delivery. He sprayed starting fluid in and she she started but died
as soon as it was gas only. Yes, this gas is about 4 months old and
probably had ethanol but the tank is nearly full so I did not think
I'd get enough humidity in to matter.
He advised to NEVER buy fuel with ethanol in it and never keep fuel
for more than a couple of weeks. Unless I buy only at marinas, it
will be tough to find ethanol free fuel.

I keep gas in the tank over winter...and the motor starts the first time
in the spring.




I had my first experience with gas going bad this past winter. The JD
Gator I use to plow the driveway had been filled at the beginning of last
summer (5 gals) but not used much all summer.
I usually add Stabil when I know an engine won't be used for a while but
this time I didn't.

During the winter, with the regular snowstorms, I noticed it was starting to
run poorly. Often it would only run on one cylinder (of 2) until it warmed
up. It was losing power and starting to stall often after a particularly
heavy pass of plowing. The exhaust also had a foul odor. I figured it was
time to have the engine serviced and tuned up.

Then we had yet another storm and since the fuel tank was almost empty, I
filled it up with fresh gas. Within 5 minutes it was running like new,
smooth idling and back to original power. All it took was some fresh gas.

Eisboch