This probably goes in general discussions but I never go there. Sorry

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

 

My guy says use 89 octane

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

 

It's always good to have a guy to tell you stuff.

 

I use 93 octane with marine fuel stabilizer w/ethanol treatment in every tank for everything from boat motors to chainsaws. I switched when one of my employees who is a volunteer fireman couldn't get the jaws of life started at the scene of an accident and that was the recommendation after the follow up inspection. I will say I believe it makes a big difference.

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

 

I have a 15hp Gamefisher if it makes a difference.

 

This probably goes in general discussions but I never go there. Sorry

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

And it really should go in Boats & Motors

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

 

I had an experience that cost me big money in carb cleanouts at the end of my lawncare season. I used 87 octane because someone talked me into it due to cost. 87 leaves a white deposit behind and compromises performance and eventually has to be removed.
I use strictly Marathon since it is a domestic very clean 93+ octane, echo 2 stroke oil mix, and seafoam stabilizer and injector treatment. For boat motors, I would use a premium oil for the mix.
After I went back to 93 octane, no more problems with mower or hand-held equipment of any kind. 26 years in business and still have my original hand equipment. Only very minimal basic maintenance has been needed. That should also translate to boat motors as well.

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

 

Also, besides using between 89-93 octane, try using a synthetic oil, you won't believe the difference.

 

I didn't know they had synthetic 2 cycle oil. Do you know brand names?

 

I started using 89 for all my 2-cycle engines after purchasing a portable generator last year rated for 89 octane. I would hate having to store separate octanes in different containers.

 

I didn't know they had synthetic 2 cycle oil. Do you know brand names?

I run the 100:1 amsoil synthetic two stroke in everything from my ice auger, small outboard to weed wacker. I run it 80:1 however and they run awesome with little smell, sputtering or smoke with easy start up. I am probably going to open the whole ratio synthetic debate but can tell you my stuff runs much better on it. The cost of it equals out to how much less oil I use compared to conventional.

 

With the fuel treatments of today its overkill to run 89 or 93 in your marine engines, IMO.

 

89 octane is still a gamble. Remember, 87 is a junk fuel and contains deposits. 89 octane is achieved at the pump by means of valving between 87 and 93, thus, junk at the pump. 93 strictly. Also, Marathon owns Speedway, one in the same. Synthetic oils should be good. I was just passing along my experiences with high quality equipment properly cared for. 26 years of high rpm daily use is pretty remarkeable.

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

 

You guys have a wealth of info and share it freely. Truly cool!

 

I aso highly recommend Amsoil 2stroke oil and Startron fuel stabilizer.

 

Keep in mind; when you go to 93 octane and synthetic oils, you may need to lean the mixture some for top optimum performance. That is achieved by an old school mechanic who sets the rpm to factory standard and then looks away, with tools in hand, and sets it again by ear. High octane also means the motor is going to run hotter. It may be mitigated by synthetic oils. Synthetics work best in new motors. In older motors, seepage may develop due to the synthetics cleaning up years of crud buildup on gaskets and seals.
Save your money by doing things smart with the 93 octane. Anything else will cost you money. The 4 pieces of equipment I had cleaned, cost me $800 out of a year's budget because I listened to someone who didn't have a clue. Jaws of life is a case in point. When someone's life counted, they didn't work, because of cheap gas.
The very best counts, starting with equipment. Do your homework. The rest of us are here to help.

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

 

89 octane is achieved at the pump by means of valving between 87 and 93, thus, junk at the pump.

That's not always the case. There is a true 89 octane fuel. The way to find out if a station has it is by looking at the tank lids. White is 87, blue is 89, red is 93, yellow is diesel, and brown is kerosene. If there is no blue lid, then yes, it is being blended at the pump.

I thought the only real difference between octanes, other than price, was the detonation points. 87 detonates earlier, and the higher octanes later. I don't believe there is any difference in quality. Higher octanes are required for higher end sports cars/imports. Running the wrong octane will mean you're essentially running the wrong timing. Your spark will be a little to early or a little to late. I've been running 87 in my outboards for years with no trouble.

The only additive I use is Gas Shok, of which I can't say enough, other than everybody I know that's tried it, swears by it.
http://usafuelservice.com/products.htm

 

I dont mean to offend anyone but this could be the most mis-informed thread ive ever seen.

Octane rating only deals with compression required to detonation....your mowers being gummed up were most likely the result of ethanol blended into todays fuels or just some dirty gas. By running 93 octane your just burning hotter and burning more money. Unless your application specificaly calls for 93 octane your wasting money. 93 octane is for higher than normal compression engines and may cause or reduce ping or knock. No golden rule here.
posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

 

Let me say again, some stations mix at the pump. In other cases, 89 octane is mixed as it goes in at the tanker filling point. Either way, ?9 is a mix of 87 and 93. Look it up on the web, don't believe me for a minute. I can tell you 87 octane cost me enormously. 93 has never given me any trouble. Only when I went to a cheaper gasoline did I have trouble. The record speaks for itself. I know others who had the same issues.
Don't cheat the oil mixture in two strokes. Too little will cost you a motor.

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

 

If fuel becomes harder to detonate over time, it is definitely not due to a "loss of octane." The higher the octane rating, the more resistant it is to detonation. Higher octane fuels are required for high compression engines. In a high compression engine, a lower octane fuel would preignite (detonate from compression, rather than from the spark), causing "dieseling" or "knocking." There seems to be a common misconception that higher octane fuels detonate more easily or more "powerfully", or otherwise have more energy in them. That's not necessarily the case. The octane rating does have to do with the proportions of iso-octane and heptane in fuels, but the rating is really just a measure of the antiknock properties of the fuel. So I would say, run what your motor calls for in the manual unless your having problems. If higher octane solves your problems, then fine, but don't waste your money for a "just in case it helps".

 

Unless your using 100% gasoline, they all have ethanol in them. Ethanol creates moisture in the tank if it sits there a little while. In cars its okay because you go though it faster,but in boats, lawn mowers, etc. it sits longer. Gas that is 87% octane has more additives than higher octanes. I just use 87% octane with Seafoam addditve that has moisture guard in it.

 

I dont mean to offend anyone but this could be the most mis-informed thread ive ever seen.

Isn't that the truth!
Wow.

 

You guys have a wealth of info and share it freely. Truly cool!

Yea, like junk bonds.

Octane has nothing to do with quality.

Gptimes has it right. For another poster to call 87 octane "junk" is flat out wrong.

 

When I bought my last boat the dealer mechanic said to use 87 because the more expensive fuel are older and grummier because they sit around longer.

 

I dont mean to offend anyone but this could be the most mis-informed thread ive ever seen.

Unless your application specificaly calls for 93 octane your wasting money.

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

I couldn't agree more.
I use 87 octane in my 1994 Outboard, mowers trimmers and everything else that calls for it and never have any trouble. I will say I use Stabil in everything but my autos.