Ethanol Grounds Small Lawn Care Equipment

Ethanol, the fuel additive that grounded boaters this summer, is now clogging leaf blowers, lawn mowers and chainsaws.

Dan Donahue, owner of Four Seasons Power Equipment in Whitman, says he is swamped by the business the line-clogging gasoline has brought.

“We're seeing 50 to 100 a month,” he said. “Before it was 20.”

Ethanol-laced gasoline may interfere with operation of a small engine, paralyze it completely or create hazards, according to small-engine mechanics.

“Fuel lines that were made even a few years ago were not designed stand up to the alcohol content in today's fuels,” said Don Stewart, of Stewart's Power Equipment in Holbrook. “They actually deteriorate and they can cause a hazard if the fuel leaks.” That is especially true if the equipment is left indoors, he added.

E-10 is a mixture of 90 percent gasoline and 10-percent ethanol, an alcohol distilled from corn and grains. The additive replaced the oxygenate methyl tertiary butyl ether (MBTE), a suspected carcinogen found in drinking water supplies in cities nationwide. Oxygenates raise the oxygen content of gasoline.

Mandated by the Federal Policy Act of 2005, ethanol first appeared in local gas stations earlier this year.

It's something that people have to learn to live with, Stewart said.

While Stewart's and other repair shops are seeing sharp increases in repairs related to ethanol, South Shore Tractor and Farm Supply in West Bridgewater and Westville Garage and Equipment in Taunton say they have not yet encountered the problem.

“There's a lot of talk about it,” said Jean Jones of Westville, who recommends fresh gas and a gas additive.

That will prevent future problems, but, for some, the damage has already been done.

Chuck Beckford, of Franklin Small Engine in Brockton, said small two-cycle engines found in leaf blowers and other small engines tend to be most affected. Since small garden equipment is typically stored in moist areas, the moisture gets into the gas and spreads throughout the engine. At the least, the gas has to be replaced and the tank and engine cleaned. Often, the damage requires a new carburetor, a job that may cost $100 or more, according to mechanics.

Beckford recommends that the fuel tanks — that on small engines are vented — be sealed and suggests a plastic bag held securely with an elastic band will keep the moisture out.

Beckford also recommends using fresh fuel and emptying a tank if the equipment is not being used a regular basis.