# Great News For Owners/Operators of Small Engine Outdoor Equipt **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [June 3, 2026, 1:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805 "2026-06-03T13:50:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 1:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/1 "2026-06-03T13:50:49Z")
Higher Ethanol content authorized for summer months: > **[Fuel Stations Will Soon Start Pushing More Ethanol](https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/fuel-stations-will-soon-start-pushing-more-ethanol-45135160)** > > Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency decided to allow higher ethanol content in summer fuel blends in an effort to lower fuel prices. On March 25, the EPA formally approved a temporary waiver for the nationwide sale of E15. Several weeks... Oh happy joy getting the gummed-up mowers and other machines to start! šŸ™„ ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/2 "2026-06-03T14:02:27Z")
Iā€™ve NEVER had a problem with any of my mowers or snow-blowers or pressure washer engines. One of the biggest neglected things is NOT running the engine dry of any gas if itā€™s not going to be used for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 2:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/3 "2026-06-03T14:05:47Z")
ā€œTo lower fuel pricesā€, any guesses on why fuel prices have gone up more than 50%? ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/4 "2026-06-03T14:19:37Z")
I push the button that says no ethanol added. The jet on my generator was plugged as well as fuel pump problems on my mower. I have had no fuel related problems since I switched and use a stabilizer. The blower, generator, and washer, get the fuel emptied but the mower sits all winter with the gas in it. So who knows but work# for me. Nevada will be angry and the boys will likely flag thi# topic. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 3:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/5 "2026-06-03T15:09:58Z")
> [@bing](#): > > get the fuel emptied but the mower sits all winter with the gas in it I leave the gas in all my small engines, but they all have a shutoff valve from tank to carb. Before I put the small engines away for the season I start it up and then turn the shutoff valve until the engine stops because itā€™s starved for gas. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/6 "2026-06-03T15:29:17Z")
Those of us with all electric powered outdoor equipment donā€™t care. ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 6:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/7 "2026-06-03T18:02:42Z")
Agreed 100%. I switched to all battery/electric lawn gear about 7 years ago, and Iā€™ll never go back to gas. Having said thatā€¦ when I did still have gas-powered lawn equipment, I always used non-ethanol gas. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 6:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/8 "2026-06-03T18:39:57Z")
Battery powered lawn equipment really depends on your lawn and how big/small it is imho, I just bought a battery weed eater and overall it works, but nowhere as well as gas ones do/did, could just be the one I got but a battery chainsaw is no where as strong as a gas one, from my experience anywayā€¦ Hedge trimmers the same, gas is just more powerful in lawn equipmentā€¦ YMMV But I will say, dang it is nice to just swap batteryā€™s and go with less mess/clean upā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 6:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/9 "2026-06-03T18:51:38Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > Battery powered lawn equipment really depends on your lawn and how big/small it is imho Definitely. My smallish lot works well for my 56V eGo mower (just enough for one charge when itā€™s a heavy growth) and 18V Ryobi trimmer/edger and leaf blower. The mower battery also powers an eGo chain saw, which is fine for cutting up broken branches up to 5" or so. It wouldnā€™t work for cutting larger stuff for firewood, etc. The Ryobi batteries are starting to lose some of their capacity after 12+ years. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/10 "2026-06-03T18:55:57Z")
> [@old\_mopar\_guy](#): > > Those of us with all electric powered outdoor equipment donā€™t care. My neighbor owns a Luba robotic mower. ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 7:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/11 "2026-06-03T19:16:21Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > Before I put the small engines away for the season I start it up and then turn the shutoff valve until the engine stops Some of my lawn equipment is so old it doesnā€™t have a shut-off and I still donā€™t have any troubles with starting in the spring. > [@davesmopar](#): > > I just bought a battery weed eater My old weedeater is showing age and itā€™s pretty loud and Iā€™m tired of my ears ringing every time I use it. Iā€™m ready to try a battery powered one. What did you buy? ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 7:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/12 "2026-06-03T19:37:10Z")
> [@asemaster](#): > > itā€™s pretty loud and Iā€™m tired of my ears ringing every time I use it. You sure itā€™s not tinnitus? That was a serious question, not an insult or a joke Iā€™ve had it for quite awhile and thereā€™s no shame in it, as far as Iā€™m concerned ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 7:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/13 "2026-06-03T19:38:48Z")
I use Ryobi 40V equipment. Have had really good luck with it, no problems. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/14 "2026-06-03T20:00:11Z")
I bought a 20V Craftsman one on sale 1/2 off the other day, mainly for the battery lolā€¦ All my battery shop tools are Craftsman, I have been impressed with them so farā€¦ The weed eater came with a 2mah battery, but I also have 4mah batteryā€™s and for my acre lot it took a little more than one 4mah battery to do the yard, but you do have to go slow in the thicker stuff vs just blasting through itā€¦ But again, could just be the basic $100 one that I boughtā€¦ Now my chainsaw uses different batteryā€™s (cheap Amazon find, but works great for what it is)ā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 8:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/15 "2026-06-03T20:26:12Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > You sure itā€™s not tinnitus? > > That was a serious question, not an insult or a joke Yeah, thereā€™s that too, but I am able to just tune that out. A lifetime of driving around with the stereo volume at ā€œ11ā€ and a career in the shop with air hammers and impacts with no hearing protection have probably affected my hearing. So letā€™s say that my old weed eater is so loud that it bothers even me. > [@davesmopar](#): > > I bought a 20V Craftsman one on sale 1/2 off the other day Iā€™m looking at a 40V trimmer, I believe that should do what I need it to and will probably have sufficient battery time. Maybe that will be my Fatherā€™s Day gift. ---
**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 8:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/16 "2026-06-03T20:28:36Z")
With the gasoline equipment I had, I used ethanol free gasoline. I am down to just a 2 stroke snowblower, so I buy canned ethanol free fuel at Walmart. Itā€™s expensive , but it saves the frustration of hard starting. My driveway isnā€™t very long, so a can of ethanol free 50:1 mixture lasts an entire winter season. With my battery powered lawnmower, leaf blower and weed eater, I try to.use power only produced by solar panels. I worry about carbon being in the kilowatts generated by coal fired power plants, moisture being in the kilowatts produced by hydroelectric power, and the speed of the kilowatts generated by windmills with a strong wind. I donā€™t want the motor windings messed up with carbon particles, or moisture on the windings from hydroelectric generated power, or the electrical connections loosened by wind generated power when there is a strong wind. Seriously, with my smaller lot, I find the battery powered equipment very convenient. I replaced a gasoline mower I kept in service for 35 years with a battery powered mower and I prefer the battery powered mower. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 8:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/17 "2026-06-03T20:34:09Z")
Most of my small garden devices are battery including the pole saw. I bought an 80 volt weeder and chopper but man is it heavy. They had an ego at the hardware store. I think it was approaching $5000 and new batteries were $1 to 2,000. I bought an electric cultivator too and I donā€™t have to worry about gas. My chain saws are gas though and you donā€™t cut an acre of grass with electric power and store them inside the garage. You donā€™t pull trailers and dethatchers and grade with a battery. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/18 "2026-06-03T21:08:34Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > One of the biggest neglected things is NOT running the engine dry of any gas if itā€™s not going to be used for a while. I didnā€™t think to do that. I just put the recommended amount of Stabil in the gas tanks after autumnā€™s last use. > [@MikeInNH](#): > > I leave the gas in all my small engines, but they all have a shutoff valve from tank to carb. Did the shutoff thing. Machines took 20 tries to start, and the lawnmower would motor-boat: v-r-r-OOOOmm-v-r-r-OOOmm, as I cut the first lawn of April. On the low end of that motorboating it would almost stall over a high patch of grass. Iā€™d take it to the small engine shop 5 minutes away, the charged me $150 to ā€œfixā€ it, and it still motor-boated a little. The same shop that told me to use premium (91-93) fuel in my machines. The leaf-blower would run good for about 5 minutes, then slowly lose RPMs, stall, and would not restart again until I needed it again in a week to blow grass off the front walkway. Incidentally, my nephew in the Philippines says 93 is ā€˜lowā€™ octane there. 95 to 100 octane is regularly available, and he asked me ā€œwhatā€™s Ethanol?ā€ ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/19 "2026-06-03T21:37:54Z")
Get a set of the welders torch clean out devices and use those to clean out the main nozzle. Sometime the hole has to be slightly drilled out using micro drill bits. Not much, just a little. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805/20 "2026-06-03T21:59:56Z")
> [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > Iā€™d take it to the small engine shop 5 minutes away, the charged me $150 to ā€œfixā€ it, and it still motor-boated a little. ā€¦to spill out the old fuel, add a pint of new fuel, remove the air cleaner and squirt carburetor spray in the throat of the carburetor. Carbureted engines can be difficult to start with old fuel. I prime the carburetor, start the engine and use up the old fuel. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/great-news-for-owners-operators-of-small-engine-outdoor-equipt/205805.md?page=2)