Fuel Question - Info Needed

[Kimber]

I too use 87 octane with 10% ethanol. I also add marine stabil with each fill up as we're not able to use our boat every weekend.

X2

[gman]

I use 87 octane and put in stabil at end of season. Today most fuels contain ethanol, With ethanol your fuel has a lower heat content(BTU) so it takes more to do the same work.

[IDBoating]

In my area of North Idaho, Cenex puts 10% ethanol in their standard grade (87 octane) and zero ethanol in their premium grade (91/92 octane). Their stations have two tanks in the ground. Midgrade (89) is simply a 50/50 blend from the two tanks, so it's 5% ethanol.

I want to keep ethanol away from my marine engines, so I pay a bit extra and buy premium. NOT because of the higher octane (which does nothing for our engines) but because it avoids running ethanol in my engine and fuel systems.

Then, I add about 0.5 ounces of Seafoam per gallon of fuel. I add it to the gas cans first, then fill them to get a good mix. There are a lot of additives out there, and lots of rumors and stories about every one, but Seafoam is one of the few that really works. I've used it for years and my engines stay very clean. My plugs look new, even on my 2-stroke Rotax jetski engines. It's a bit of extra expense but I figure it's way cheaper than engine work and parts.

Fuel is like engine oil - lots of opinions out there. Read everything and then make your own decision. For me, avoiding ethanol is really high on my priority list and I'm happy I have such fuel available at my nearest gas station.

[houstonshark]

Per my dealer's strong recommendation I use 87 octane with Stabil every time. He said one of the first things that will be done with any engine issue is they will take a sample of the fuel. I try to buy from the same, reliable (although slightly farther away) gas station.

[chpthril]

I run premium, stabil in the winter, and one tank of B-12 in the spring. There are advantages to premium fuels!

1. Premium fuels have more additives (cleaners)
2. High octane will burn more efficient
3. Better fuel consumption (very little increase)
4. More power (very little)

I see it as money well spent, and other will not!

1) not necessarily. The marketing team at the oil company tells you about all the additives in the premium, but do you actually hear them say those additives are ONLY in thier premium?

2) Not correct at all. Once ignited, higher octane fuel has the same BTUs at lower octane. The higher octane needs higher temps to ignite. This is how it prevents spark knock.

3) there is no HP power advantage using high octane in an engine designed for 87. So using higher octane just increases your dollar p/mile cost.

4) addresses in point #2.

Hate to bust anyone's bubble.

[NICKYPOO]

I run 87. I ran 91 for a while until I did the research. It runs much cleaner on the 87.