Octane Booster

[yomax4]

I did a search and found no info on here regarding octane booster products available at auto parts stores. Does anyone have an oppinion on using boosters? We used to use it in dirt bikes back in the 70's.

 

[PILOON]

My 2 cents; Marketing hype!

 

[SARG]

I use the cetane booster (Powerservice) on the diesel and just started using the Lucas cleaner in the gallon jugs for the tractor and the autos. I think it makes a difference. I know the tractor RPMs jumped by 200 after I started using it.

 

[sd455dan]

I did a search and found no info on here regarding octane booster products available at auto parts stores. Does anyone have an oppinion on using boosters? We used to use it in dirt bikes back in the 70's.

The only one that ever made a difference I could feel was Klotz Nitro-methane -

haven't seen it in many years though. tried some octane boosters but none worked -and most say raises octane X number of points, the (points) are .1 octane each...

Of course this only relates to gas engines.

 

[Bluegill2]

Higher octane is not needed in chain saws. Even modified work saws.

 

[buickanddeere]

Why not purchase 91 or 94 octane fuel at the pump? Or 100LL at the airport?

 

[yomax4]

Why not purchase 91 or 94 octane fuel at the pump? Or 100LL at the airport?

No problem there but most 91 where I live has ethanol.. I just though if it was available in a can at the store I wouldn't have to go to the airport. I have a few saws with muffler mods and good gas is hard to find. I try to buy off road gas where available but most in the upper Midwest is E-85 or 10% ethanol. That being said, How does non-ethanol gas store over time? maybe i'll pick up 10 gallons if it stores ok.

 

[buickanddeere]

Sealed tight in a cool location. Probably a year or more.

 

[Bluegill2]

No problem there but most 91 where I live has ethanol.. I just though if it was available in a can at the store I wouldn't have to go to the airport. I have a few saws with muffler mods and good gas is hard to find. I try to buy off road gas where available but most in the upper Midwest is E-85 or 10% ethanol. That being said, How does non-ethanol gas store over time? maybe i'll pick up 10 gallons if it stores ok.

It's worth it to track down and use Non Ethonal gas in small engines. I drive 26 miles round trip just to buy non-E gas for my saws, mower, weedeater, etc. I buy 15 gallons at a time and sore it for around 6 months. I would not use any higher octane that 93, the stuff I get is 91.

 

[Bluegill2]

Sealed tight in a cool location. Probably a year or more.

Yep one year easy. I've had some here that was over two years old and still fine.

 

[xyz123]

I run ethanol gas from the pump. 93 here dont see 91. Then there is 87 I wont buy for saws then 89 which is min for saws JMO. Most saw brands nowdays even state min 89 or 91 if you look it up.

I run a 2 stroke mix that mixes with methanol and nitro. I talked to the Klotz head tech and he told me it will stay mixed with ethanol too. I have run that stuff since 07 and yet to have a ethanol related problem.
I have one small batch that is over a year old in sealed plastic can and still no signs of separation or water moister shown etc like other mixes will with ethanol gas. Klotz KL-200 Klotz KL-200 Techniplate Oil Quart (KSFKL-200) | RC Planet

 

[swines]

Higher octane is not needed in chain saws. Even modified work saws.

You'll have to define "higher octane." Stihl MotoMix is 92 octane. VP 50:1 Pro-Max is 94 octane.

Octane is an anti-knock rating. The higher the octane, the higher the compression the fuel can withstand without detonating. Modern auto engines have knock sensors as part of the engine management system and can use lower octane fuel. The engine management system will change the engine timing as needed to reduce knock to an acceptable level.

Ethanol is added to oxygenate the fuel for less emissions (less carbon monoxide) and will make the gas burn a little hotter as more oxygen is available.

The oil companies used to use MTBE, ETBE, etc. oxygenation chemicals instead of alcohol. However, after a number of underground gas storage tank leaks and the extreme difficulty of cleaning up soil contaminated with gas and MTBE (and like chemicals), most states have banned the use of MTBE due to ground water pollution and health concerns.

Where I live, I can't get any gas without ethanol in it; and the max octane rating is 91. I buy Torco 100 fuel from a local speed and custom shop for winter use as the amount of fuel I use in winter goes down and it's difficult to keep the ethanol fuel fresh even with StaBil fuel stabilizers and ethanol treatments.

The chainsaws love the Torco / oil mix as they don't have anti-knock sensors and an engine management system. They start easier, run cleaner, and the fuel doesn't get gummy after a few weeks so I can leave the saws filled.

You read incredible amounts of misinformation on the Internet in regards to octane and small engines like - "Don't run high octane it will melt the piston to the jug." In general, higher octane fuel burns a little slower and cooler - but, you have to get into the MON and RON ratings of the fuel to find out exactly what is going on.

None of my 4-cycle or 2-cycle engines have burned up, exploded, etc. from using 100 octane fuel. They run just fine and seem to start easier.

 

[Tollster]

What swines said is spot on, head to the airport and fill up with Avgas, then run it 50:1 in your two strokes, you'll be much happier, and so will your saw.. Its like going back in time and forget the hassles..

Keep it sealed, and store in a cool dark area.

I've been running two strokes since the early to mid 70's. I think Avgas is 103 or 110, you will have to decrease your idle and tweak your mixture screws, I set the high end up just so it breaks up very close to the high end.
The performance gain is very noticeable, on the pipe much quicker, easier starts, effortless performance, and I think longer burns between tanks.. Its a no brainer.. honestly.