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Service & Maintenance Question

    joel 4bs
    my Husqvarna 42 special chainsaw needed a new gas line last...Answeredescalated
    Service & Maintenance Question posted September 19, 2011 by joel 4bs, last edited February 10, 2012 
    1088 Views, 1 Comment
    Question:
    my Husqvarna 42 special chainsaw needed a new gas line last spring. I used a husqvarna part, all seemed fine...but a few weeks ago the saw was running poorly, so i was cleaning it and found that the replaced gas line was soft, sticky, collapsed ...this was only the section of the line inside the gas/mix tank...my question is...what would degrade the line this way? the original line lasted for 15 years, maybe 20 before it gave up. I use premium gas with 2 cycle chainsaw (non husqvarna mix oil). could it be the ethanol being used in gasoline these days? help...I am about to put a new gas line in, but have no idea how to stop the new one from degrading, Thanks, j
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    Best Answer

    Doug P.

    Thank you for contacting the Answer Army.

    Yes, its the Ethanol in the gas.

    Absorption of moisture by alcohol in gasoline causes two layer separation, oil separates and floats to the top. Alcohol and water being heavier will drop to the bottom .              

    Fuel pick ups are at  the bottom of the fuel tank, pure alcohol will now burn without any oil in it.
    Exposure to oxygen in the air causes gasoline to develop varnish and gum quicker and turns fuel lines into mush.
    Extra air space in a gas can will also cause oxidation of the gasoline to occur quicker.
    Only mix enough fuel that you can use in a 3-4 wk period.
    Since Oxygenated fuel already contains extra oxygen it may sour or oxidize much quicker than 30 days, especially when it is stored in an unsealed fuel container with open spouts or vents.
    Use self sealing gas cans or make sure caps and vents are present and are being used on your gas can to prevent outside air from attacking the fuel
    No spill gas cans are a perfect solution.
     
    10% of alcohol in one gallon equals 12.8 oz of alcohol which will burn like raw gas without oil.
    One half of 1% water in one gallon equals .64 oz or half of a small glass of water will cause separation to occur.
     

    Answer

     

    • Doug P.

      Thank you for contacting the Answer Army.

      Yes, its the Ethanol in the gas.

      Absorption of moisture by alcohol in gasoline causes two layer separation, oil separates and floats to the top. Alcohol and water being heavier will drop to the bottom .              

      Fuel pick ups are at  the bottom of the fuel tank, pure alcohol will now burn without any oil in it.
      Exposure to oxygen in the air causes gasoline to develop varnish and gum quicker and turns fuel lines into mush.
      Extra air space in a gas can will also cause oxidation of the gasoline to occur quicker.
      Only mix enough fuel that you can use in a 3-4 wk period.
      Since Oxygenated fuel already contains extra oxygen it may sour or oxidize much quicker than 30 days, especially when it is stored in an unsealed fuel container with open spouts or vents.
      Use self sealing gas cans or make sure caps and vents are present and are being used on your gas can to prevent outside air from attacking the fuel
      No spill gas cans are a perfect solution.
       
      10% of alcohol in one gallon equals 12.8 oz of alcohol which will burn like raw gas without oil.
      One half of 1% water in one gallon equals .64 oz or half of a small glass of water will cause separation to occur.
       

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