Why users should be cautious when using fuel containing Ethanol
STIHL recommend that you always use good quality fuel purchased from a reputable
supplier in your STIHL outdoor power equipment.
When purchasing fuel for your STIHL product, it’s important to keep in mind if the fuel you’re using contains ethanol. Ethanol can dissolve the varnish and gum deposits that may have formed in your fuel can or inside the equipment’s engine. These deposits can become dislodged and can mix in with the fuel, blocking the small openings and filters within the fuel system.
When using petrol outdoor power equipment it’s expected that as the fuel is utilised by the machine. The void left in the tank will be replaced with air. When using fuel containing ethanol it’s important to understand that a characteristic of ethanol is its ability to attract and mix with moisture that may be present in the air entering the tank. This can lead to corrosion of the metal components within the fuel system.
In addition, users of Ethanol fuels should keep in mind that in the event that enough water is absorbed, it can cause the ethanol and water to separate from the petrol blend and settle at the bottom of the fuel tank. This can result in a layer of petrol left floating on top, which has a lower octane level than the original ethanol petrol blend that was originally used to fill the fuel tank. If this happens this can result in unstable engine operation, loss of power and major engine failures.