Merkava_4 wrote:I have some very small gas tanks on my Briggs & Stratton equipment. Whenever I leave gasoline sitting in their tanks for more than a week, strange things happen such as pickup screens getting clogged, or corrosion forming in the bottom of the tanks. I feel like now it would be wise to extract the gasoline out if the equipment is going to be left unused for more than a week. To tell you guys the truth, I'd be perfectly happy with a turkey baster if I could find one that's gasoline proof.
sounds like you're using oxygenated fuel (or, equally as bad, STALE fuel). If you're using the cheapest gas you can find, that likely why. You need *FRESH* pure gas, not an oxygenated or alcohol-added blend (E-10, E-15, E-85 are all bad for small engines!) Alcohol absorbs moisture from the air (Humidity above 0%) and that water content is accelerating corrosion, especially with oxygenated fuels (Which I believe they still mandate in California.)
If you can't find an ethanol free non-oxygenated fuel your only other choice may be to buy canned fuel.
That'd probably solve most of your issues, but pickup screens clogged generally are more indicative of user carelessness at filling time (either the gas can or the engine's tank) Fuel, even fresh ethanol free fuel in modern times can start to go stale in as little as 90 days *FROM THE DATE IT WAS REFINED*
So, if you suspect your fuel is going stale too soon, try a different gas station (Generally a more busy one that gets fuel deliveries on a weekly basis if not more often) Small local mom-n-pop gas stations while I'll always encourage supporting those small local businesses, often do not sell out their fuel quickly enough for it to stay fresh for extended storage.
Also, changing gas stations is a good strategy if you believe you're being careful with your gas cans and filling habits - gas station may have dirty tanks with water entry into them, so a change of gas suppliers can often be the solution.
How poor are they who have not patience. What wound did ever heal, but by degrees? - Iago (Othello Act II, Scene 3)