Fuel Mix

[derwen]

We are a small conservation group (volunteers) who manage the habitat on our local river. We have a number of chainsaws and brushcutters etc. Our Stihl MS 250 went in for service as well as not starting. The dealer has found that it has a partial seize ie. pot and piston gone. Reading the forum it looks as if it could have been due to stale unleaded fuel. As we only work once a week a gallon of fuel can last us months - use one or two of tank fulls a week. Debating on repairing existing saw (9 years old) or buying a new one. Also considering using Aspen as we don't use more than a couple of gallons of fuel a year. Will a new saw run on Aspen OK and our other Stihl kit - brushcutter, multitool and large drill. Would the old kit need any carb adjustment or just run OK. My Stihl dealer doesn't sell Aspen but my Husky dealer does. Could be a bit of a problem if I buy it from Husky dealer and then have to take back to Stihl dealer for setting carb. Stihl dealer hadn't heard of Aspen. Any help apprecaited.

[Rich2484]

Stihl dealer not hearing of aspen!?!??

 

Shouldn't matter who you take it to for retune. If the stihl dealer refuses to adjust carb find someone that will.

 

Once you buy a saw its up to you what you use fuel wise.

[Hodge]

Aspen has a shelf life of 7 years I think so it would be better for you. I use Aspen in all my 2 stroke kit and it's great and better for the environment.

[spudulike]

Yes, options are mixing up your Fuel/oil in smaller volumes of say 1 litre or using Aspen, the retune is simple and may just be as easy as a tweak to the idle.

[geoff]

Aspen is great stuff,I use it in all my small kit,you may need to adjust the carb mixture screws a very small amount(richer),any chainsaw competent tech can do this,some saws need the adjustment others dont.

[Steve999]

As a part time chainsaw user, how long can I safely keep and then use my petrol/oil mix? Went on a chainsaw course and I think the instructor said 1 month. Is that correct.

[geoff]

As a part time chainsaw user, how long can I safely keep and then use my petrol/oil mix? Went on a chainsaw course and I think the instructor said 1 month. Is that correct.

 

Month to six weeks,after that the saw will still run on it,but you risk engine damage to the piston & cylendar.

Its always a good idea to give your can a shake before topping up the saw if it has been left for a week or so anyway.

[GardenKit]

As said by others, Aspen is the answer to you fuel needs. If your machines are in good order then they should need very little, if any, carb adjustment to swap to Aspen.

 

If the machines are already suffering from the effects of stale fuel, then this will need fixing before changing to Aspen. Aspen will not cure existing problems.

 

I have converted many hundreds of machines over to Aspen and the majority need no adjustment at all to run sweetly.

 

Once converted, your machines should remain trouble free, at least from fuel issues.

[spudulike]

As a part time chainsaw user, how long can I safely keep and then use my petrol/oil mix? Went on a chainsaw course and I think the instructor said 1 month. Is that correct.

 

One month is safe, you may get away with longer but personally use up old fuel in the lawnmower and mix fresh - it will be more critical in fast revving modern saws than slower older saws and will also have a more negative effect on saws that are set a bit lean.

 

It is always best to mix enough for that days cutting or do it by the tank full if just doing a bit of personal home logging for the burner.

 

I have seen carnage on many a saw due to old fuel:thumbdown:

[derwen]

Thanks to all for comments and help. I have read that moving from standard fuel to Aspen can cause the carb rubbers to be come less flexible and shrink back to original with resulting splitting - is this common place or just may happen or not.