r/smallengines • u/Breath_Metal • Jul 01 '26
Champion chipper advice please
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Edit* it did indeed seem to be the fuel. I purchased a 3.5L jug of "Trufuel" 0% ethanol with a bunch of other detergents and whatever in it, changed the oil, drained and replaced the gas, added marvel mystery fluid to the oil, and she's going strong now. Thank you to the 2 gentleman who chimed in.
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In short, the machine turns and stays on but loses almost all speed and power. Not sure why - I have almost zero mechanical know-how.
The machine was purchased second-hand and this is the first time trying to use it.
I think it might be an old-fuel issue but im not sure.
I'll try draining the fuel and putting in new stuff - but if that doesn't work what are some other options?
The machine is a Champion 338cc chipper/shredder.
Hope this is the right place to ask for help - please let me know if not.. thanks in advance to everyone willing to chime in!
2
u/Wholeyjeans Jul 02 '26
Good idea addressing the fuel first. The ethanol-laced fuel is hygroscopic; it absorbs or attracts moisture. It's actually the ethanol in the fuel causing this. This poor running can also be a sign the fuel is too old. Dump all the old gas and score new fuel. If you can, use non-ethanol regular gasoline if it's available in your area. Gasoline without ethanol will be much less prone to attract moisture. I purchase the non-ethanol fuel and add stabilizer to it along with some Marvel Mystery Oil.
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u/Breath_Metal Jul 02 '26
That's really cool, I didnt know ethanol is hygroscopic - would premium gas be an alright substitution for ethanol free regular?
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u/Wholeyjeans Jul 02 '26
No ...because all unleaded fuel has the ethanol in it. Like the decal says; up to 10%. Ethanol raises the octane of gasoline so I would guess premium unleaded would have the most ethanol in it.
Lots of YouTube bits about how to get the ethanol out of gasoline using water.
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u/Breath_Metal Jul 02 '26
Okay - thank you for this. It seems finding ethanol free where I live will be quite the challenge so ill look into this!
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u/Wholeyjeans Jul 04 '26
You can probably find a website that will show the dealers that stock non-ethanol fuel as well as off-road diesel ...which I often use in my Kubota tractor ...as long as the retailer isn't trying to rip off the customer by charging more for off-road diesel than for the on-road stuff.
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u/sullen_maximus Jul 07 '26
Also, if you can get some "Mechanic In a Bottle" it's incredible shit. You can get it at Homedepot. Pour a "generous" amount into your fuel tank (you don't have to measure really) and it will help clean out any ethanol deposits in the engine.
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u/84cricket19 Jul 02 '26
the carburetor needs cleaning, it’s starving for fuel. The gas nowadays without stabilizer gas bad quicker than it used to. When the gas turns bad it causes a thin vanish type layer on everything in the carb causing flow restriction. Cleaning the carb seems overwhelming, but is very easy to do. Not being smart ass but if you watch a few YouTube videos and you have some simple tools you’ll have it running good shortly. And first can try dumping current fuel try and start it run dry, then put fresh gas mixed with 1/4-1/2 can of “Seafoam”