2-stroke and 4-stroke engine driven equipment require fluids that perfect the operation of the engines – to make them powerful, efficient, and long-lasting. In addition to lubricants designed to protect engines, it is also important to consider protecting the fuel system with fuel additives. Read on to learn how they can help extend the life of your small engine.
Fuel Basics
Ethanol-blended fuels are common-place in today’s environment. And while they have their benefits, they can also create certain issues with stability and performance. Fuel that contains ethanol will begin to deteriorate within 30 days, causing gum and varnish build-up. Varnish is a sticky substance that can gum up fuel injectors and other critical engine components. Likewise, it will attract contaminants and impurities, which creates an abrasive surface that can inhibit engine performance as well as contribute to wear and corrosion.
Adding a high-quality fuel additive to the tank in a small engine will reduce varnish build-up and help a 2- or 4-stroke engine run better and last longer. This is especially true if the vehicle is unused for longer periods of time.
Testing shows that the right fuel additive can inhibit varnish and extend fuel life up to two years.
The Purpose of Fuel Additives
The general purpose of a fuel additive is to make it easier to start an engine, protect it against varnish and prevent rust. With the right additive, you can improve the quality and efficiency of the fuel in a 2- or 4-stroke engines and, in turn, make the equipment run better and last longer.
However, you may want a fluid that is designed for a specific use case, and offers the features needed by a particular engine.
For example, there are fuel treatments that serve as fuel stabilizers, injector cleaners, and combustion chamber cleaners. But within these categories, there are treatments specifically designed for certain usages, such as marine, powersports and outdoor power equipment. The engines used in these applications are unique to their designations – an outboard boat engine is used in a very different environment than an ATV; and an engine in a skid steer is specific in other ways.
Choosing the Right Additive
When choosing a fuel additive, it is important to find one that does not contain alcohol. Most fuel used in vehicles now contains ethanol – a type of alcohol. Putting in an additive that includes alcohol only adds to that mixture, or, essentially, counter-acting exactly what you are trying to reduce.
Lube-Tech offers several alcohol-free fuel treatments designed to prevent gumming, protect against corrosion, or clean critical fuel systems in either 2-stroke or 4-stroke engines. All of which are available in different treatment rates depending on the use, including:
Fuel Stabilizers – Designed to extend fuel life for up to 2 years, prevents gumming and contains corrosion inhibitors that protect engines from ethanol damage.
Injector Cleaners – Along with the fuel stabilizers that protect fuel for up to 2 years, the gumming and corrosion inhibitors, these contain advanced detergents to clean the fuel system.
Combustion Chamber Cleaners – Our most advanced formula stabilizes fuel for up to 2 years, prevents gumming, contains corrosion inhibitors, and provides advanced detergents that clean the entire fuel system up to, and within the combustion chamber.
Ready to talk about fuel additives and extend the life of your small engines? Contact us today to learn more!
