Started a topic on "Iceshanty" about the damaging effects of ethanol based fuel in small engines, particularly ice augers and boat motors. To make a long story short, if and where possible, use premium, ethanol-free fuel in your small engines (including lawnmowers,leafblowers, ATV's and the like). The ethanol actually gums up carbs and other metal parts of the motor and eat away the plastic components. Do a little research yourself and see what you find. I was pretty surprised when I did. If your small engines haven't been running great lately, this could very well be the culprit.