Aspen Fuel

JamesL · Post by **JamesL** » Fri Sep 25, 2015 4:51 pm

I wondered if anyone has experience of using Aspen synthetic fuel, either four stroke or two stroke premix? Actually in the context of hedgecutters & chainsaws, but no matter...

I've recently changed my old Stihl hedgecutter for the current model and the shop warns to be very careful with fuel - apparently the modern carburettors are very sensitive to old petrol and foul up in no time. Aspen is fully synthetic, apparently burns very clean and has an indefinite shelf life. All would be dandy if it wasn't 3x the price of unleaded!

All there is on the web seems to be from people with a vested interest in selling the stuff, so hard to find anything independent. The shop doesn't recommend eg running standard 50:1 mix through and then some Aspen to finish, but they wouldn't...

I'll see how it goes - I probably put about a gallon of fuel through the hedgecutter in a year, with another 2 gals through chainsaws and brushcutters, both of which will tolerate standard 50:1 petrol mix so long as it isn't too ancient. So it won't necessarily break the bank, although it's another example of modern tech creeping the cost up.

And the four stroke version seems to be recommended for older engines / fuel systems, particularly those sensitive to ethanol degradation.

Anyway, any thoughts / experience most welcome!

Cheers,

James

dave the german · Post by **dave the german** » Fri Sep 25, 2015 5:27 pm

There was an article in Classic Motorcycle Mechanics or Practical Superbikes a while back. I'll see if I can dig the article out next week when I'm off

DPG · Post by **DPG** » Fri Sep 25, 2015 9:38 pm

We run Aspen in all of our light gear and it's great. The chief benefit seems to be a total lack of headache when you run either the saws for a while which was the problem when we used normal fuel and Stihl 2stroke oil. Couple that with not having to worry about running the tank dry every time and it's a winner. Also true is that it won't go off. Not in the can and not in the machine either. It's a nuisance to mix 5litres and then have the saw struggle on the last litre or so a few weeks later.

It's good practice to run the machine dry anyway though, and I do that anyhow out of habit - with Aspen, it just means its not a disaster if you forget for a week.

One point to note though, is that I have to turn all of our 2strokes down on the fuel as Aspen is slightly better octane than the stuff from our local garage.

For ref, I use it in 2 Stihl saws, one 30years old and the other 10years old, a newish Stihl leaf blower, and two Stihl Strimmers, both about 6 years old. All are fine on it once the carbs were adjusted.

In short, it's perfectly ok use and I would recommend it despite the price.....

JamesL · Post by **JamesL** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 11:10 am

Thanks VM for that - really useful. I'll bear the running carbs dry point in mind as well - I've never done so, so maybe I should start... Always leave my gear with fuel brim full to minimise oxidation / hydration; and I use the blue Stihl 2T oil rather than the red - had major issues with the red oil a year or so back and the blue is much better, includes a preservative apparently.