Lowes Home Depot
Lowes and Home Depot and I am sure other local places now sell premixed gas as well. It is still pricy, I used an ethanol fuel treatment for my lawn mower, but I use my mower every week, even in the winter I have to mow at least once a month.
http://lucasoil.com/products/fuel-treatments/safeguard-ethanol-fuel-conditioner-with-stabilizers
Kent,
As mentioned in the various replies, E-Free gas is hard to come by in your state. For what ever reason Texas has very few stations that sell E-free gas. I am fortunate to have several stations in my area that sell E-Free gas. I only use E-Free gas in my personal boats and power equipment. That is all I run in my personal truck too. The extra $.20/gal cost is worth it to me. But all gas goes "bad" after several months of sitting. So at the minimum you should add a "stabil" type additive to your gas or drain the tank after each use.
FYI there is a pretty good web site called Pure Gas that has most of the E-free stations in the country. They even have a good app to boot:
I just had the trimmer in the shop, the mechanic suggested I use either the pre-mixed cans or add a stabilizer. I shelled out for the premixed cans, several dollars per liter but well worth it. Convenient, pack-able and the van doesn't stink anymore.
Yamaha Ring-Free Plus
I use Yamaha Ring-Free PLUS in all the small engine gas around the house. Nothing gets 'winterized' or gas drained or Stabil etc., just regular use of Ring-Free PLUS. I've never had an issue with starting anything in the spring, 2 stroke or 4 stroke. I will say that I do use the highest octane, ethanol free gas that I can find. For 2 stroke oil, I've used and tried many with no noticable difference. I do occasionally mix with Klotz 2 stroke racing oil... the odor of burning Klotz brings back memories of old motocross days. 🙂
Here's what Yamaha says about Ring-Free PLUS:
Ring Free PLUS
Exclusive, synthetic PLUS formula provides superior deposit control, cleaning fuel injectors, carburetors, intake valves, intake ports and combustion chambers. Featuring metal filmers, it also protects silver solder, copper, aluminum and steel in a fuel system from the corrosive affects of ethanol sulfate salt.
Kent,
The simple solution is to drain the saw back into the can if you think it is going to sit for more than a couple of days. If the mix sits in the can for more than a couple of months just dump it in your truck and remix when you need it.
I think most of the higher end mix oils have some form of stabilizer in them. I just had to replace our Sthil 130 motor and they now double the warranty if you use their synthetic oil.
For occasional chain saw use, I rent one. Always sharp and always starts.
SD
Kent, We were
advised to empty the gas tank of our Echo chainsaw and then run the Stihl equivalent (Echo Power Fuel) for a short time and then remove those contents, also. It is very difficult to remove all the gasoline from the unit, so the Power Fuel is mostly high octane fuel with no ethanol (which causes the problems).
The dealer said he has had units not run for as long as 8 months and still start right up with this procedure.
For all of my Stihl equipment at home
I use premium gas with ethanol and an additive called "Sea Foam." Never had any problems since I started using "Sea Foam." Of course, I use Stihl oil in the recommended ratios.
Kent, We were
> advised to empty the gas tank of our Echo chainsaw and then run the Stihl equivalent (Echo Power Fuel) for a short time and then remove those contents, also.
I agree with storing it empty. Just run it until it sputters then shut it off. Don't run it completely dry. In a 2 cycle, that fuel is also the lubricant.
Virtually all 2 cycle oils contain fuel stabilizers these days. If you are using a stabilized fuel in the first place you don't have to go through this flushing procedure.
Ethanol free gas will go stale in time, too. And not that much time. Don't think that you are in the clear just because you are using E-free gas.
You should also clean all the gunk out of the sprocket and chain, and clean the air filter between uses.
I am on my phone so apologies if this has been said, BUT the premixed fuel oil is a good choice for limited use, cost is minimal in comparison to the alternative. The reasons you note is why I ditched the Ryobi ER160 in favor of a 36v Bosch and why if I needed a saw at all for occasional use I would consider a battery powered one as discussed in another thread a few days ago.
Kind of skimmed through the posts, but as an experienced chain saw user from MI the only thing I can suggest is that start it once a month. Cut up an ice block, or a log that's been bugging you, even the neighbors cat, or go hollywood, but you need to start it.
If you expect it to sit in the shed/garage for a few months then start it up and run it until the gas runs out. Empty. Then squirt a tad of WD40 in the tank, and/or the carb. Don't take much, but it helps down the road.
Anything with a motor, including chain saws, weed whackers, lawn mowers, ATV's, and even old cars need to be run once in a while to loosen things up internally. Two cycle engines are even more fussy, but don't care about a bit of extra oil. A small dose of gas treatment helps if needed, but you'll likely flood it and pull your arm out of joint trying to start it. Then you eventually pull the plug and go "...duh...", and put a new one in and bingo... life is good for the Stihl family (I'm a member)