Question
This may be outside of your area of expertise but you"ve had many years experience using lawn equipment and probably have some older,but functional, machinery. Here, in New Jersey they've changed over to gasahol (10% ethanol) fuel.  Newer equipment seems to handle it ok but I have mowers,tiller, tractor,trimmers, a snow blower and generator purchased in the 70's and 80's. Any opinion or suggestions? How old an appliance is at risk for damage if there's a risk at all? I can bring fuel from PA, at some risk and inconvenience if I have to.

Answer
It's good to have friends in the biz.

My life is built around electric and human-sweat-propelled push mowers and equipment.  But few people live this way.  So I asked a close friend about your problem.  He does things like build motorcycles from scratch.

He has this to say:

"Tell him to add 1 capful of Marvel Mystery Oil each time he gasses up the mower.

"Older engines depend on the lubricating qualities of pre-gasohol fuel.  Unfortunately, the alcohol additive in the new fuel makes it "drier", so you need to add the Marvel.  This will insure the upper parts of the cylinder in the engine remain lubricated."

He continues: "I add Marvel every time I fill up my 1990 Toyota and my 1975 motorcycle! Makes the engine purr like a kitten.  Yeah baby."

I have to say I've been there done that.  Never fails.