Wrong or old fuel is often the primary reason you begin to experience problems with an edger.
ECHO edgers use a gasoline and oil mixture at a 50:1 ratio.
- 50 parts: Unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 89 and a maximum ethanol content of 10%.
- 1 part premium air-cooled 2-cycle engine oil.
Take precautions when working with fuel and oil. Always work in a well-ventilated area. Wait for the edger to cool and slowly remove the fuel cap. The gas tank may be under pressure.
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Follow all safety instructions provided in your equipment operator’s manual before diagnosing, repairing, or operating. Consult a professional if you don’t have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely.
Old or Bad Gas
Allowing gas to sit in your edger for long periods can cause component failures and fuel restrictions. It may be the reason your edger won’t start or runs sluggishly and dies.
Gas can begin to break down as soon as 30 days after you purchase it. The ethanol added to most gas today is an alternative fuel that naturally attracts moisture from the air.
The ethanol and water mixture can be damaging to the fuel system and engine. It not only leaves behind varnish that clogs fuel passageways, but it also is highly corrosive.
Because gas begins to go bad so quickly, it’s important to use fresh gas and consume it within 30 days. If you are unable to consume it this quickly, add a fuel additive like Sea Foam Motor Treatment.
This product will stabilize your gas and reduce moisture so it lasts a little longer. You can also check to see if the 2-cycle oil you add to the gas has a long-term stabilizer. (Read the label: fuel stabilizers added to oil can last anywhere from 30 days to up to 2 years).
ECHO edgers require unleaded gasoline with a minimum 89 octane rating and a maximum 10% ethanol content. Mix a 2-cycle premium oil with the gas before adding it to the fuel port.
Avoid gasoline that includes ethanol contents greater than 10% including fuels sold as E15, E30, and E85. These fuels contain up to 15%, 30%, and 85% ethanol respectively.
Ethanol-free fuels are best and will reduce the issues you experience due to old fuel. Ethanol-free fuels can be found at your local hardware store or online. ECHO branded 2-cycle Red Armor Premix is a good options.
They can also be found at select fuel stations sold as recreation fuel (REC-90). Look for a fuel station near you at pure-gas.org.
Gas and Oil to Use in a 2-Cycle ECHO Edgers
2-Cycle Gas and Oil Mix in an ECHO Edgers
ECHO edgers require a 2-cycle premium oil to be mixed with gas before filling the fuel tank. Don’t make the mistake of adding straight gas to your 2-cycle edger. You will regret this decision.
Gas runs extremely dry so adding straight gas will cause the engine to seize. Without the lubrication provided by the addition of oil to the gas, the internal parts of the engine won’t be able to move freely.
Most likely, if you accidentally add straight gas to your ECHO edger and start it, you will have to replace it with a new one. The engine will be damaged.
ECHO 2-cycle edgers use a gas and oil mixture at a ratio of 50:1. This means you must mix 50 parts gas with 1 part oil. Refer to the chart below for the amount of oil required to be mixed with common gallon measurements.
When creating this mix, use unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 89 (mid-grade) and maximum ethanol content of 10%. Add a 2-cycle premium oil that is ISO-L-EGD and JASO M345 FD certified. Note: 2-cycle engine oil is NOT THE SAME as regular engine oil.
How to mix gas and oil for 2-cycle ECHO edgers:
- Use the chart below to determine how much fuel mix to prepare.
- Remove the cap from an approved gas can. Add unleaded fuel (minimum 89 octane rating & maximum 10% ethanol content) to a gas can.
- Refer to the chart below for the ounces of oil required. Add the 2-cycle oil to the gas can.
- Replace the cap.
- Gently shake the fuel and oil until they are mixed.
- Add to the ECHO edger’s fuel tank.
You can use the manufacturer’s recommended oil ECHO Power Blend or ECHO Red Armor.
2-Cycle ECHO Gas-to-Oil Mix
| Gas to Oil Mix Ratio | 1 Gallon Gas | 2 Gallon Gas | 2.5 Gallon Gas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50:1 | 2.6 oz Oil | 5.2 oz Oil | 6.4 oz Oil |
2-Cycle Premixed Ethanol-Free Fuel for an ECHO Edger
The best type of fuel to use in an ECHO edger to reduce fuel problems and extend engine life is an ethanol-free fuel mix. This is an ethanol-free blend of oil and fuel that is ready to pour into your ECHO edger’s fuel tank.
You won’t have to deal with the bad effects of ethanol as discussed in the fuel section. ECHO Red Armor pre-mixed fuel works well. When I choose pre-mixed products, I stay with the OEM brands. Some aftermarket brands may cause running problems.
In Summary
The fuel used in your ECHO edger not only affects performance but also affects the likeliness problems develop in the fuel system and engine. Follow these simple tips when choosing a fuel for your edger:
- Always use fresh gas.
- Make sure the gas contains no more than 10% ethanol.
- Choose gasoline with a minimum 89-octane rating.
- Use a 2-cycle gas and oil mixture at a ratio of 50:1.
- Add a fuel stabilizer so your gas lasts longer without breaking down. Not all stabilizers last the same length of time. A stabilizer like Sea Foam Motor Treatment will stabilize fuel for up to 2 years.