People use ethanol spiked gas in all our cars, garden equipment etc. for years with no problem. I personally use it in my F250, Escape, snow blower, weedwackers, lawnmowers, large and small boat motors, pressure washer, motorcycles etc. etc. for years and years with no problems. I also use it in my gas models again no problems. Older model motors have had the carbs rebuilt with newer gasket sets that are supposed to be alky proof. The only precaution I take is to use a stabilizer for long term storage (over the winter) and I always have run the gas out of the carb until the motor quits after every use. Not with the boat and vehicle motors though as they are being constantly used at least several times a week.

I have never noticed anything that would indicate ethanol related damage. At first there may have been the odd problem however after all this time I think the few issues have been worked out. I think you guys who insist on having problems may be more related to operator error rather than the ethanol content. Heck I have run and tuned gas motors to run on hobby methanol and oil mix with great results and signifigant power and RPM improvements. I have even retuned these model gas motors to run on camp fuel and oil mix.

The average user of these trimmers and blowers just put gas in them and run them. Most don't even do anything to winterize them, most just put them in the shed till next usage with no storage prep. You may be overthinking this guys.