premium gas...

Jon Yenulonis

Jon Yenulonis

Well-known member
What's everyone's opinions on running premium gas in their two cycle outboards as opposed to regular?

Not pure gasoline vs mixed blends, just regular vs premium.

Is there really a difference in running, power, starting, or overall performance?

I've always run regular and have no complaints. But am I missing out on performance?

Jon
 
Premium gas is just a higher octane. Higher octane is to avoid engine ping.
An older car, like my 76 Monte Carlo needed higher octane. If your running good on regular, then no reason to increase octane.
 
The only reason I run premium is to avoid the ethanol in 87% octane we have locally. Most places around here with 93% octane do not have ethanol. is it a myth? I don't know. The new 4 strokes just say do not use E85. If I'm in an area and can not find non-ethanol gas I'll buy the 87% octane and add a gas treatment such as seafoam if I have it or Heet brand just to help eliminate the moisture the ethanol attracts.
 
I go out of my way to buy 90 octane non-ethanol gas for all of my 2 and 4 stroke smaller motors including outboards, i also use pri-g or seafoam.
I have no starting or performance problems using this program.
Is it necessary? I don't know but it makes me feel better.
 
I use regular gas but mix Lucas Ethanol Fuel Conditioner and Stabilizer. Its supposed to protect the engine from ethanol gas and it doubles as a fuel stabilizer if your boat sits a lot.
 
I was told by the dealer to run only 93 oct. because the octane rating remains true so motor will get the octane it needs and burn better and I also use seafoam to be safe . I had to have carbs redone after 1 year so now I do what they ask and have had no problems.
 
I can not speak to outboards but running higher octane absolutely helps with chainsaws. It allows the saw to start faster/easier and there are fewer issues with varnish. I also think it keeps better but I can not be sure on that. I can not say I get any more power out of the higher octane. Others are correct that in a 4 cycle engine running a higher octane is just throwing away money, but I earn with my chainsaws and need the increased reliability. Accordingly I only run premium in my outboard.
 
Personally I run premium through all my outboards....I also treat the fuel with a fuel stabilizer. On top of that that I have a Racor fuel filter and water separator,I do not want any fuel issues when running in real cold weather. Where I work {Marina} we only sell premium gas thats what all the manufactures recommend to use regardless whether it's a 2 stroke or 4.
 
I use 91 or 92 octane in both my Stihl chainsaws and Ariens log spliitter. As for me, I try to sip on a high octane single malt Scotch. My body seems to run smoother on that.
Al
 
First order of business is a "roger that" on the high octane scotch. Then to the question of horsepower and octane. The power output of any engine is built into the engine and the choice of fuel will not increase that number. Low octane fuel burns too quickly to allow the engine to develop the power it was designed to do, we sometimes hear this as a ping or knock. A common misunderstanding of high octane fuel is that it burns slower than regular. This is achieved by adding the devil ethanol to slow the burning down. That is what lead used to do. Notice I use the term "burn" when talking about what happens in the combustion chamber not "explosion". It is a quick burn but not an explosion, "ping" is an explosion. Hope that shed some light on this subject and feel free to disagree if the facts confuse you.;=))
 
All good and sound advice.

Having built a few drag car race engines in my youth, I know a little about the "ping" effects of lower octane.

I have heard from several guys over the years who've said the higher octane fuels make their engines run so much smoother and stronger.

I just wanted some "real" opinions from the fine, experienced and intelligent braintrust here.

Oh, and by the way, while I certainly enjoy a good, we'll aged single malt scotch, I'm more of a small batch bourbon guy myself.

Jon
 
I use 91 or 92 octane in both my Stihl chainsaws and Ariens log spliitter. As for me, I try to sip on a high octane single malt Scotch. My body seems to run smoother on that.
Al




Agreed.... Glenfiddich in hand... motor purring right now...
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