Mine seems to prefer premium fuel.

[prs]

With crude prices down so relatively low, the rumor around here is that the refiners are skimping on the ethyl and that premium grade is currently alcohol free or nearly so. I don't know about that, but I can usually detect the ethyl by its odor in fuel and I did not notice it in the premium fuel I purchased. Anyway, seat of pants performance, my Kubota Z model engine runs better on the high priced spread. I have not noticed any advice in the owner's manual regarding grade of fuel to use, I figure regular is typically recommended. Carbon build-up in heads can occur with premium of compression of the engine design is too low, but since I run at or near wide open throttle most of the time, that is an unlikely problem. The downside is the $1.00 per tank load extra cost.

prs

 

[4570Man]

I can't find premium fuel that is ethanol free. I run 87 ethanol free. If I could find 93 ethanol free I would at least run it in my chainsaw and weed eater. My Dixie chopper burns so much I would probably continue using 87.

 

[prs]

Maybe I should test the fuel for sobriety. Glass beaker with some of the fuel, add about 5% water to it. Shake and let settle. Cloudy fuel with or without some residual water means its drunk; right?

Yes, the need for higher octane per my fuel mix tools is one of the reasons I purchased 93 in the first place. I probably will not pay the difference in the long run either and my trust of my seat of the pants critique is not rock solid.

prs

 

[Raw Dodge]

I have been using Best line fuel conditioner.i love this stuff especially for 2 strokes..it does raise octane slightly, but it's an incredible lubricant, it's suggested rate is 600 to 1...when used at double that 300 to 1...it can double as a 2 stroke lubricant. ..it's not recommended but my dealer has been doing it and no damage yet with small air cooled engines after hundreds of hours...it's that good..I just use it with 2 stroke oil for extra protection.

 

[DarkBlack]

Sometimes a thin casting area on a block or head will create a hot spot eased by high octane fuel. This flys in contrary to published data for the engine.

 

[BoylermanCT]

I was visiting my brother in law in upstate NY, and their 93 fuel was ethanol free. Not here in CT. Maybe next time I am up there I will fill up my 4 gas cans and bring it home for the chainsaw, blower, weedeater and lawn tractor. In the meantime, I will continue to treat my ethanol fuel with Sta-Bil ethanol treatment.

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

[....] The downside is the $1.00 per tank load extra cost.

prs

I would expect that you will get more power out of a gallon of ethanol-free fuel than you will out of a gallon of fuel containing ethanol, because the heat value of a unit volume of ethanol is less than that of a unit value of pure gasoline.

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

I was visiting my brother in law in upstate NY, and their 93 fuel was ethanol free. Not here in CT. Maybe next time I am up there I will fill up my 4 gas cans and bring it home for the chainsaw, blower, weedeater and lawn tractor. In the meantime, I will continue to treat my ethanol fuel with Sta-Bil ethanol treatment.

I was upstate New York two months ago and the 91 octane fuel sold at a chain of gas stations/convenience stores named Steuart's was ethanol-free.

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

I have used Sta-Bil ethanol treatment, and it seems to work pretty well. I am currently using Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment. My local Stihl and Honda dealer sells Star Tron, and I picked up a bottle while I was there. No complaints.

 

[HC54]

I've been using 105/110 octain racing gas for 20+yrs. for all my 2cycle equipment .
Has no ethanol and has a preservative in it. 2gals @ 8.00 a gal is way cheaper than
the quart cans sold in stores in the last couple years and it will normally last me
A year.