Non-Ethanol Gas . . . Another CA Horror Story.

[Desert Whaler]

Picked up a 2nd Honda Generator . . . a little eu1000i for dry camping / boat battery re-charges.
Got a great price from a friend at a Honda dealer . . . He said that's it for that model in CA once they sell off their remaining inventory.
My eu2000i has been on ethanol crap-gas for the last 15 years & could use a good carb clean.

So I was attempting to shop non-ethanol fuel for the new one, and also the the old one.
Had some sticker shock that the 'average' price per gallon off the shelf at a retailer is $25+ . . . .F-Me.

I was able to pick up a gallon of VP Small Engine Fuel from Lowes for $26 and change, but from looking at Home Depot, Ace Hardware etc., the state is really clamping down on selling this stuff.

At the home depot near my house, they showed 38 one gallon cans in stock, but when I went there the employee helping me look for it determined that it had been 'unlisted' and was likely being shipped back to the manufacturer. Ace carries it online, but won't deliver it for pickup at my location.

So just a heads up if you're in Cuba-fornia and need some real gas . . . it seems like it's starting to get dicey.

I'm sure SoCal Nitrous and Race Fuels in Westminster on Garden Grove Boulevard will keep having it, since that's their business . . . but these other retailers seem to be getting the pinch.

I can tell you one thing for sure . . . I'll be smuggling some back from AZ on my next visit.

 

[Crazyhippy]

5 gallon jug, and a visit to your local small airport.

 

[Brian]

5 gallon jug, and a visit to your local small airport

That has a little led in it though.

 

[RichL]

We still buy it from the pump here. Was at 5.69/9 a couple days ago. That's the highest I remember seeing it but it's been that price for a few months now.

 

[dread Pirate]

I'm running up to Crescent City for a Home Depot trip soon. Plan to fill a couple jugs in Brookings to help save my equipment over the winter.

 

[Crazyhippy]

That has a little led in it though.

All the good stuff does! Like those delicious chips of paint from when I was a small boy

 

[timstoy]

Long Beach is saying they have unleaded AV gas at the airport as part of their never ending going green programs. Probably will have to make a few calls to find it and if they will sell it to you.

 

[Markus]

https://www.pure-gas.org/CA

There are supposedly 19 stations in the state that sell ethanol-free gas.

 

[JL95]

damn nothing really socal

 

[Flying_Lavey]

https://www.pure-gas.org/CA

There are supposedly 19 stations in the state that sell ethanol-free gas.

I was going to say, the VP in Paso had it at the pump forever. 99 Octane, ethanol free. last time I checked about 4 years ago it was $9.99 a gallon though.

 

[NicPaus]

I grab it from parker oil each river trip. It was $4.49 a gallon last trip. I do buy the pre mix gas from lowes at outrageous price but worth it to not have to mess with the carbs.

 

[TPayne]

Check to see if there is an F&L or Fuel Factory distributor near you. They both offer an enthonal free 93 octane fuel. Last I checked it was ~$10 a gallon, well worth it IMO for small engines.

 

[mjc]

Maverick at acoma and 95 has 87 non alcohol. I think as long as you the run carb dry it seems to be less of a problem

 

[Desert Whaler]

Lowes earlier today . . . .

 

[timstoy]

There is a F&L fuel distributor in west LB near PCH and Santa Fe Ave.

 

[NicPaus]

The VP by my house has the nice fuel jugs for $40. I could fill it for you president weekend.

 

[PaPaG]

WOW and I thought it was a little high at 3.85 a gallon in Bullhead vs 2.75 for reg. Just another reason to love AZ.

 

[Racey]

That has a little led in it though.

Yes!

 

[WildHorses24]

Picked up a 2nd Honda Generator . . . a little eu1000i for dry camping / boat battery re-charges.
Got a great price from a friend at a Honda dealer . . . He said that's it for that model in CA once they sell off their remaining inventory.
My eu2000i has been on ethanol crap-gas for the last 15 years & could use a good carb clean.

So I was attempting to shop non-ethanol fuel for the new one, and also the the old one.
Had some sticker shock that the 'average' price per gallon off the shelf at a retailer is $25+ . . . .F-Me.

I was able to pick up a gallon of VP Small Engine Fuel from Lowes for $26 and change, but from looking at Home Depot, Ace Hardware etc., the state is really clamping down on selling this stuff.

At the home depot near my house, they showed 38 one gallon cans in stock, but when I went there the employee helping me look for it determined that it had been 'unlisted' and was likely being shipped back to the manufacturer. Ace carries it online, but won't deliver it for pickup at my location.

So just a heads up if you're in Cuba-fornia and need some real gas . . . it seems like it's starting to get dicey.

I'm sure SoCal Nitrous and Race Fuels in Westminster on Garden Grove Boulevard will keep having it, since that's their business . . . but these other retailers seem to be getting the pinch.

I can tell you one thing for sure . . . I'll be smuggling some back from AZ on my next visit.

Russell Fischer Carwash on Beach/Garfield sells VP 100 from the pump, haven't checked the price recently but it was $9.99 forever. Probably a little spicy for generator

 

[ChrisV]

Just go pump 100oct in Fullerton. It’s $10 a gallon

 

[Taboma]

Buyer beware that the TruFuel brand of Ethanol Free Fuel sold at both Home Depot and Lowes is ONLY 110 OZ, so about 3.5 quarts not 4.
The VP brand offered by both for the same per gallon price is a full gallon or 2.5 gallons if you can find that one as it's a better deal.

 

[RitcheyRch]

Buyer beware that the TruFuel brand of Ethanol Free Fuel sold at both Home Depot and Lowes is ONLY 110 OZ, so about 3.5 quarts not 4.
The VP brand offered by both for the same per gallon price is a full gallon or 2.5 gallons if you can find that one as it's a better deal.

I made the mistake of buying some TruFuel before noticing that it was not a full gallon. I've been buying the VP brand now for our generator.

 

[dribble]

I just used the Pure Gas app and found a station 20 miles from me that sells it.

California is not cracking down on Non Ethanol gasoline. Its just cheaper to produce and meet the requirements with ethanol.
From the CARB website:
How much ethanol is required in California gasoline? None. California Reformulated Gasoline (CaRFG3) regulations do not require the use of ethanol.

These are the states where non Ethanol gasoline is illegal: Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

 

[boatpi]

Anytime you’re in Las Vegas bring empty cans. They sell everything here usually at Mavericks.

 

[sml]

I just used the Pure Gas app and found a station 20 miles from me that sells it.

California is not cracking down on Non Ethanol gasoline. Its just cheaper to produce and meet the requirements with ethanol.
From the CARB website:
How much ethanol is required in California gasoline? None. California Reformulated Gasoline (CaRFG3) regulations do not require the use of ethanol.

These are the states where non Ethanol gasoline is illegal: Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Non ethanol is legal in PA. I have probably 30 gallons in my snowmobile trailer currently.

It is offered at the pump at a large area gas station chain. There is also a VP branded gas station near me that offers all their brands at the pump during racing season.

 

[OC Mike]

damn nothing really socal

Downey and Westminster are listed

Nickey Petroleum, Lakeview / MiraLoma Placentia.
Race gas......100 octane

 

[PlanB]

I am going to start taking 5 VP cans every trip to Havasu. I have a new 55 gallon drum sitting in my garage in SoCal that I am going to fill with non-ethanol. If you guys are buying race gas in California make sure it's non-ethanol. The 100 octane race gas sold near me at the pump in SoCal still has ethanol.

 

[HB2Havasu]

I usually fill up a 5 gallon jug or two at Parker Oil in Havasu with 91 Octane Non-Alcoholic Gas whenever I fill-up the boat, rzr, or the generator tank on the toyhauler. Anything that sits more than I month without use l try to always us Ethanol Free Gasoline. The Corn Gas starts to turn to varnish after 30 days  Unfortunately, I didn't learn this until after replacing 2 carburetors on the Onan 5500 Generator. It's just about impossible to find Real Gasoline in the Socialist Republik of California anymore.

 

[Gelcoater]

Lowes earlier today . . . .

View attachment 1329598
View attachment 1329599

A 5 Gal of C-12 is less than $100 at Malcom Smith.

It’s creeped up from about 75-78$ from a few years ago

 

[Gelcoater]

I usually fill up a 5 gallon jug or two at Parker Oil in Havasu with 91 Octane Non-Alcoholic Gas whenever I fill-up the boat, rzr, or the generator tank on the toyhauler. Anything that sits more than I month without use l try to always us Ethanol Free Gasoline. The Corn Gas starts to turn to varnish after 30 days 

After a few months it turns to a yellow chalk like substance in float bowls.
Major pain when there’s more than one carb.
It also seems to degrade fuel lines as well.

 

[Taboma]

After a few months it turns to a yellow chalk like substance in float bowls.
Major pain when there’s more than one carb.
It also seems to degrade fuel lines as well.

Never has for me in any of my lake toys or multitude of yard and grove implements where it's not uncommon to have year old gas. The only thing I've always done is put in Stabil before I fuel the cans.
I started and ran my Honda generator under a 70% load a week ago with year old ethanol gas, ran perfect.
Perhaps because all these things and the cans are stored either inside my garage or grove shed's out of the more weather and moisture extremes.

 

[Gelcoater]

Never has for me in any of my lake toys or multitude of yard and grove implements where it's not uncommon to have year old gas. The only thing I've always done is put in Stabil before I fuel the cans.
I started and ran my Honda generator under a 70% load a week ago with year old ethanol gas, ran perfect.
Perhaps because all these things and the cans are stored either inside my garage or grove shed's out of the more weather and moisture extremes.

Probably the stabil additive
Apparently it works

I run left over 2 stroke premix in my old ass mower, half c-12, never touched that carb in 25 plus years.

 

[Taboma]

Probably the stabil additive
Apparently it works

I run left over 2 stroke premix in my old ass mower, half c-12, never touched that carb in 25 plus years.

I'm pretty sure my vintage Craftsman grove mower would run on paint thinner I did have to replace the primer bulb, damn thing got so stiff I couldn't prime it anymore.

 

[hallett21]

@Desert Whaler you needed an excuse to go fish the Colorado anyways

 

[Taboma]

Despite the apparent exceptional luck I've had with my fuel storage methods, I am concerned about the new generator I'm buying due to it's up-to-date CA compliance. I think much of my success can be credited to running older equipment, so I was seriously considering at least starting off with my new dual-fuel genny using non-ethanol for the break-in and follow up storage period.
I'll pick up a VP 2.5 gallon from the local Lowes that carries it, for now, then bring some back from Havasu.

 

[dribble]

Non ethanol is legal in PA. I have probably 30 gallons in my snowmobile trailer currently.

It is offered at the pump at a large area gas station chain. There is also a VP branded gas station near me that offers all their brands at the pump during racing season.

All I could find was as of 2015. I found one that said it is Illegal in Florida but I couldn’t confirm it. What surprised me is that it’s illegal in Montana.

 

[PDQH2O]

Buc ees has non ethanol 88 and 91 at the pump for just a few Pennie’s over regular fuel prices. They also have DEF at the pump. The good news for reviver peeps is that they’re opening a store in Goodyear, AZ just off I-10, between 303 and 101. For the ethanol, I use a couple of 5 gal fuel jugs. It does make a difference in my gas tools.

 

[DLC]

I am going to start taking 5 VP cans every trip to Havasu. I have a new 55 gallon drum sitting in my garage in SoCal that I am going to fill with non-ethanol. If you guys are buying race gas in California make sure it's non-ethanol. The 100 octane race gas sold near me at the pump in SoCal still has ethanol.

Ive been doing that for years…

I lIke to keep about 15 / 20 gallons on hand in case of a power outage for the generator

 

[PlanB]

Ive been doing that for years…

I lIke to keep about 15 / 20 gallons on hand in case of a power outage for the generator

I had to replace a carb on one of my Hondas because of ethanol. I keep the one-gallon cans of VP with them now in case of emergency, but I think a 55-gallon drum to run everything would be better than paying 25 bucks a gallon.

 

[lbhsbz]

I am going to start taking 5 VP cans every trip to Havasu. I have a new 55 gallon drum sitting in my garage in SoCal that I am going to fill with non-ethanol. If you guys are buying race gas in California make sure it's non-ethanol. The 100 octane race gas sold near me at the pump in SoCal still has ethanol.

100 octane ethanol gas would probably still have 87 or so octane once you pull the alcohol out of it. Not sure where to get it tested. Just add a gallon of water to 5 gallons of pump fuel and the water will pull the ethanol out...then draw the gasoline off the top.

 

[OCMerrill]

They use it not because of smog laws.

It's a cheap and easy way to increase octane but as we all know its sucks up water and ruins anything metal.

So if you do the cup of water to 4 gallons trick and extract the alcohol be sure to add some octane booster or risk engine damage.

 

[lbhsbz]

They use it not because of smog laws.

It's a cheap and easy way to increase octane but as we all know its sucks up water and ruins anything metal.

So if you do the cup of water to 4 gallons trick and extract the alcohol be sure to add some octane booster or risk engine damage.

if we do the math.....

Ethanol has an octane rating of about 109....assuming we're dealing with real E10....I'll make up the formula (9X+109)/10= Pump octane rating, X= the pure gasoline octane rating.


(9X+109)/10 = 87
9X+109=870
9X=761
X=84.5

87 octane pump gas starts out life as 84.5 octane with 10% ethanol to bring it up to 87 octane.

Running the same formula, 89 octane starts out life as 86.8 and 91 octane starts out life at 89.


Rumors are that more than 10% ethanol is used at times...but there looks like enough wiggle room to suck the ethanol outta 91 octane...should result in at least 87 octane and be safe for any small engine.

 

[hallett21]

if we do the math.....

Ethanol has an octane rating of about 109....assuming we're dealing with real E10....I'll make up the formula (9X+109)/10= Pump octane rating, X= the pure gasoline octane rating.


(9X+109)/10 = 87
9X+109=870
9X=761
X=84.5

87 octane pump gas starts out life as 84.5 octane with 10% ethanol to bring it up to 87 octane.

Running the same formula, 89 octane starts out life as 86.8 and 91 octane starts out life at 89.


Rumors are that more than 10% ethanol is used at times...but there looks like enough wiggle room to suck the ethanol outta 91 octane...should result in at least 87 octane and be safe for any small engine.

Is there a legit way to purify back to just “gas” without blowing yourself up?

 

[OCMerrill]

Is there a legit way to purify back to just “gas” without blowing yourself up?

Pretty easy to do if your not a smoker.

There are many uTube videos however its done on a small scale in a 5 gallon see through jug. Large scale I haven't a clue. I've done it 4x's and while you can measure the water you pour in, after you shake the can several times, let it sit, shake it again and then extract the water and measure it only to find out you gained 5%. The last one I did I recovered more than 10% but dont remember how much more. All that was to preserve a new Tohatsu Dingy engine against damage when sitting. For the past 10 years I just bring a couple 5ers from Parker Oil and use Stabil.

Trusting uTube University is a whole deal in itself.

 

[77charger]

I grab it from parker oil each river trip. It was $4.49 a gallon last trip. I do buy the pre mix gas from lowes at outrageous price but worth it to not have to mess with the carbs.

My experience with premix and ethanol ca fuels is never had any issues with carbs. I had a lot of two strokes too. Currently 4 of them plus 2 chainsaws.

Think the premix oil prevents the gumming up because I have had them sit for months go out and cr500 will fire right up chainsaws will start up within 3-4 pulls.but any small engine non pre mix are only ones I have had issues if I don’t start them up atleast once a month.

 

[coolchange]

My experience with premix and ethanol ca fuels is never had any issues with carbs. I had a lot of two strokes too. Currently 4 of them plus 2 chainsaws.

Think the premix oil prevents the gumming up because I have had them sit for months go out and cr500 will fire right up chainsaws will start up within 3-4 pulls.but any small engine non pre mix are only ones I have had issues if I don’t start them up atleast once a month.

The fuel in my two-stroke boat does not seem to degrade. I’ve had that stuff sit for a long time. Fired up and run it being mindful that it’s old gas. No distinct difference.

 

[Markus]

They use it not because of smog laws.

It's a cheap and easy way to increase octane but as we all know its sucks up water and ruins anything metal.

While ethanol is a cheap was to boost octane, some states require oxygenated gasoline.

MTBE turned out to be a poor choice. I don’t think there is an alternative to ethanol for CARB gasoline.

 

[Desert Whaler]

Just did a little tune-up on my Honda eu2200i . . . dumped the crap gas & ran it out.
Then pulled the carb & cleaned the jets . . . didn't look that bad in there at all.
Buttoned it up and did an oil change.
Put a few cups of that VP Small Engine Fuel in the tank & fired it up.
Ran great . . . plugged in the shop vac & vacuumed the garage floor . . .LOL.
That VP fuel is a trip . . . smells like Coleman White Gas.

 

[nameisbond]

In WA our small town our property is at has a few non-ethanol places. Like the AG Supply gas station. But they all charge a $1 to $2 buck premium over ethanol fuel. It is robbery or maybe taxed higher by the enviro-nazi government! At least we are members of the AG Supply Co-op and get a few hundred back from them every year.

 

[dribble]

While ethanol is a cheap was to boost octane, some states require oxygenated gasoline.

MTBE turned out to be a poor choice. I don’t think there is an alternative to ethanol for CARB gasoline.

Yes there is because you can buy non ethanol gas in California.