Most of the time when people write about fuel related problems, they are blaming their problems on the ethanol in most fuels today. Many of us chime in and claim that the ethanol is not to blame for their problems.... and I stick with that claim.

On the other hand, modern fuels contain a whole list of what i would call hydrocarbon chemicals .... up to 35 are listed on some MSDS sheets. These various substances are blended into what is called modern gasoline and the blend can change depending on region, time of year and maybe what the refiner has an excess of and wants to get rid of. My belief is that these exotic blends are what is causing your fuel related problems. You simply can't burn a mixture that more closely resembles paint thinner than gasoline and not expect some kind of fuel related problems.

Summary, I believe your fuel system problems are real and fuel related .... and you've had more than your fair share of these problems. Probably the gas available in your area is the root cause.

Here in this part of the country, fuels seem to be more traditional and I just don't see fuel related problems. Same with fuels in northern Minnesota where we have a summer cottage. The equipment there gets little or no care and it always works. I have never rebuild a carb there and it is not unusual to use fuel mixes that are well over a year old. If fuel passes the "sniff test" and smells reasonably fresh, I use it. Maybe I'm just lucky?