VP Small Engine Fuel in for the Long Haul

 

We all want gas powered equipment to last as long as possible, but with any mower, weed trimmer, generator, or the like, the fuel you use can take a toll, especially ethanol-blended street gas that sat in storage during the off-season. Despite your best intentions, you'll likely use last years gas because the stuff is too expensive to waste otherwise. 

But the cost of discarding old gas pales in comparison with the cost of the damage it can do.  Because of the ethanol in it, gasoline from the pump can break down in just a matter of weeks and do a number on small engines.  The ethanol attracts moisture so you get water in your gas, not to mention varnish and gums.  This leads to clogged up carburetors, or worse, worn out cylinder valves, & exhaust systems. Then you get to deal with the grief  of equipment that won’t start and the cost of repairs.

But what if you can count on fuel you used last August, to run just as clean & clear the following May? How about a stockpile of fuel to be perfectly usable FIVE YEARS down the road? Too fantastic? Well, that's EXACTLY what you can count on in VP Small Engine Fuels. They are indeed, in for the long haul.

The professional racing community knows VP Racing Fuel is top notch quality fuel... pure, powerful fuel. Now they offer a line of consumer grade gas products, including a line of fuels specifically made for small engines.

A Bad Sign

Gas at most convenience stores contains ethanol to reduce the cost of gas at the pump, but that's bad news from a Prepping standpoint, especially in relying on gas engines in the event of an interruption of gas supplies. The relatively short shelf life of ethanol mixed fuel is significant enough to consider alternatives to gas combustion engines in most long term Prepping plans.

That's where VP Small Engine Fuel offers the advantage of pure, high octane fuel, and in doing so, offers a great benefit for those seeking to stockpile gas for far longer than normal... for years, without need of  conditioning.

VP Racing introduces it's Small Engine Fuel products.

VP Racing Fuels sent a sampler of their Small Engine Fuel to try out. Very fortunate too, since I'm nursing along a 30 year old garden tractor, and anything that keeps it in service has got my full attention. It's a perfect test bed to try out their fuel too. While I can't attest to shelf life claims yet, I've stowed away one can of 4-stroke fuel & in five years I'll give it a try to see how well (or how little) it's aged.  From first glance though, I see it ready for use even longer because it's about as pure a fuel as you can buy. No additives, no ethanol, & with a 94 octane rating, it's premium gas.  

Getting the tired motor on the tractor running for another season is always a hit or miss affair... literally. The engine coughs & sputters at first. Even with fresh gas, it blows out deposits that's accumulated over winter. But this time, I ran it with a can of VP Small Engine Fix-It Fuel. Designed as a single use treatment, Fix-It Fuel is an ETHANOL-FREE 89 Octane gas + oil blend. Fix-it fuel cleans and repairs the fuel system, without having to remove the carburetor or injectors.
Other than needing to adjust low speed & high speed idle, the engine roared to life just fine. I only needed half a can as directed, so I'll have a second treatment if necessary.

I'm not a EOTW type, but I fully understand the desire to stockpile supplies for any eventuality. While I have gas powered generators on hand "just in case", I've always feared they're not a long term solution, due to fuel aging over time. So it's obvious, stocking up on VP Small Engine Fuel is not just smart, it's CRITICAL if you want to see the life of your small engines and their use extended for a long, LONG time.

One can dream...

You can find VP Small Engine Fuel products in stores nationwide. Can't find it near you? Just order it on Amazon, or direct from their website.

Count on VP Small Engine Fuel products to see you through... in the long haul. VPRacing Fuels: www.vpracingfuels.com

PDW Shiny Object: A Pocketful of Pressure When You Need It

Outfitting my bicycle for trips longer than around the block, has lead me to more gear valuable for the Practical Prepper living in the real world.
In this case, a pocket sized tire inflator.
The bicycle world knows it as the Shiny Object, by Portland Design Works, but you'll call it a miracle maker the first time it saves you a tire change on a dark lonely road, some cold rainy night.


The Shiny Object uses threaded 16 Gram CO2 cylinders to fill bicycle tires, but any Presta or Schrader valve tires can get a fill up from this shiny wonder too!

It may take a two or three CO2 cylinders to bring a Motorcycle, truck, or car tire up to pressure, but ATV's & smaller trailer tires can get topped off & back to civilization in no time.  Toss a Shiny Object and a half dozen CO2 Cylinders in your Go Bag, or Glovebox, & you'll have enough wind to fill valve equipped inflatables with ease.

The Shiny Object has a built-in adjustable cut-off valve, so it's not a single use proposition either. Use it to fill sleeping pads & other inflatables over & over & over. The solid alloy device is ruggedly built, and the complete kit comes with a CO2 Cylinder and leather sleeve. Cylinder's get frosty cold when they discharge, and the vegetable dyed leather sleeve keeps the frost from your fingertips.  The Shiny Object is not intended to replace regular tire pumps and the like, but rather, serve as a quick fix tool to get you home or further along safe & with minimum effort.
With every gram of weight, and every cubic inch of space important considerations with gear you pack out, you immediately see the real value in this handy, hardy, pocket of pressure. The PDW Shiny Object is available at finer Bicycle shops, as well as online. Including HERE.