high octane fuel concern
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fried1765
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I can't imagine that it would.
I use 100LL (low lead) aviation gas in my 2 & 4 cycle small engines.
Ethanol free gas is not available in my area.
LD1
Epic Contributor
Alot of people are totally idiots when it comes to octane and just what it means.
High octane, all else being equal, will make your saw start HARDER in the winter.
Think about just what octane is.
Octane is the gasoline's resistance to detonation.
that means higher octane....means harder to detonate.....and burns slower.
Remember, it used to be they put lead in gasoline to make it higher octane. You think that lead magically made the gasoline soooo much more powerful like many people magically think? NOT.
High comressions need high octane so the gas doesnt ignite TOO EARLY.
On modern cars that require high octane, the computer can compensate by pulling timing (less power) if you run too low octane. Thus there "seems" to be a big performance increase going to a higher octane. But in reality, you are just running the correct octane to get full timing advance.
Run the octane rating that is called for. Anything above that (again all things being equal), is a total waste of money regardless of what BS anyone tries to sell you on.
I hate the "regular" "MID" and "premium" nomenclature on the pumps. Got too many people brainwashed into thinking "premium" somehow means better. Would people still have this opinion if instead of calling it "premium" they called it "we loaded this fuel with a bunch of stuff to make it burn slower"
Now when I say "all things being equal" earlier......ethanol is a game changer.
Around me.....all grades have the same ethanol content. Unless you specifically seek out a station that sells E-free and charges $1.50 MORE per gallon for it. But I'd imagine there are still some places where 87 octane has the 10% or whatever ethanol, mid is a little less, and premium little to no ethanol. If this is indeed the case, then by all means get the premium
Oh, and to answer the second part of your question about motor damage....
Well, you tell me. You really think a harder to ignite, and slower burning fuel is gonna somehow damage your saw by giving it too much power? or rev too high?
High octane, all else being equal, will make your saw start HARDER in the winter.
Think about just what octane is.
Octane is the gasoline's resistance to detonation.
that means higher octane....means harder to detonate.....and burns slower.
Remember, it used to be they put lead in gasoline to make it higher octane. You think that lead magically made the gasoline soooo much more powerful like many people magically think? NOT.
High comressions need high octane so the gas doesnt ignite TOO EARLY.
On modern cars that require high octane, the computer can compensate by pulling timing (less power) if you run too low octane. Thus there "seems" to be a big performance increase going to a higher octane. But in reality, you are just running the correct octane to get full timing advance.
Run the octane rating that is called for. Anything above that (again all things being equal), is a total waste of money regardless of what BS anyone tries to sell you on.
I hate the "regular" "MID" and "premium" nomenclature on the pumps. Got too many people brainwashed into thinking "premium" somehow means better. Would people still have this opinion if instead of calling it "premium" they called it "we loaded this fuel with a bunch of stuff to make it burn slower"
Now when I say "all things being equal" earlier......ethanol is a game changer.
Around me.....all grades have the same ethanol content. Unless you specifically seek out a station that sells E-free and charges $1.50 MORE per gallon for it. But I'd imagine there are still some places where 87 octane has the 10% or whatever ethanol, mid is a little less, and premium little to no ethanol. If this is indeed the case, then by all means get the premium
Oh, and to answer the second part of your question about motor damage....
Well, you tell me. You really think a harder to ignite, and slower burning fuel is gonna somehow damage your saw by giving it too much power? or rev too high?
marchanna
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^^agreed. Use the octane your engine is designed for. Cetane number is different. It痴 the inverse of octane, and generally speaking, the higher the number, the better. Easier starts are better achieved through 1. Fresh fuel, 2. A good multigrade oil, and 3. Pre-warming the engine.
patrick_g
Elite Member
Run the octane rating that is called for. Anything above that (again all things being equal), is a total waste of money regardless of what BS anyone tries to sell you on.
A M E N ! !
Luckily we have a plethora of stations that offer alcohol free gas (mostly regular) as well as the blend (2-3 different octanes.) I only own vehicles that run on unleaded regular (NO ALCOHOL) Or Diesel, no exceptions.
I'm starting to see small engines that state they are ok WITH 10% Ethanol but say to avoid the 15% blend.
Patrick
A M E N ! !
Luckily we have a plethora of stations that offer alcohol free gas (mostly regular) as well as the blend (2-3 different octanes.) I only own vehicles that run on unleaded regular (NO ALCOHOL) Or Diesel, no exceptions.
I'm starting to see small engines that state they are ok WITH 10% Ethanol but say to avoid the 15% blend.
Patrick
You guys are sure bringing back the memories. I was a petroleum lab technician in the Army in the 1960's, specializing in the CFR octane testing engines. I've forgotten almost everything by now, except when someone mentions something like Reid Vapor Testing. I've done it, but darned if I can remember the exact process after 50-60 years.
Bruce
Bruce
marchanna
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A higher octane rating won稚 cause damage to your engine. In older engines a lower octane can cause knock, which well documented regardless Ng the damage that can be caused. Most newer engines can electronically adjust the timing to prevent knock, but you will take performance hit.
smstonypoint
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FWIW, Stihl sells an ethanol-free 92 octane premixed fuel (50:1).
Steve
Steve
Heh heh... technically true. Folks just assume that higher octane means better, cleaner, faster... I mean... it costs more so it HAS to be better, right? ;-)
Back in the late 80's I bought a new JD 175 Hydro that was miserable to start right from new. I contacted the dealer and their recommendation was to make sure I was running "Hi Test Gas". Ahhh... right. It turns out the choke rod was misadjusted and the engine was only getting half choke.
Around here all grades of gasoline have the same Ethanol content. I run non-Ethanol in all my small engines but unfortunately the only grade available is 91-octane so that's what I use. It costs around $0.50 more per gallon than Ethanol-laced Premium.
