What Grade of Gasoline do you use

[R L S 14]

Your tech was right. I ran about 30 gallons of K-1 in my burner because it was cheaper and sure nuff it burned up my fuel pump and fuel solinod. Now I only run Dyed diesel.

[sflasealcoating 14]

I figured id clear a few things up.....will high octain ruin my honda motor? No will it give me inproved performance? no will it help to run cleaner? no

MOst honda motors including some of the major cleaner motors gx610 gx620 gx 670 run @ 8.3:1 compression ratio, high octain fuel requires a longer burn tme as said earlier, and is actually LESS explosive than lower octain fuels. This fuel burns through a longer period of time throughout the stroke. Having these characteristics, higher octain fuel is recommended for compression ratios 9.5:1 or higher or forced induction applications where both air and fuel are pushed into the cylinders creating higher compression. By using a higher octain fuel in a lower compression motor will result in unburned fuel, adjusting the carb jet sizes for more fuel or air mixture will just lean or richen this condition not cuase for a complete burn. So, use whichever fuel you desire, they all will work. Higher octain fuel wont give you any gains nor will it hender so basically its just your extra 10-20 cents a gallon. :)

[doublejager2000 14]

took the words right out of my mouth sfla ...

Octane is an alkane with the chemical formula C8H18. It has 18 isomers.

One of the isomers, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane or isooctane, is of major importance, as it has been selected as the 100 point on the octane rating scale, with n-heptane as the zero point. Octane ratings are ratings used to represent the anti-knock performance of petroleum-based fuels (octane is less likely to prematurely combust under pressure than heptane), given as the percentage of 2,2,4-trimethylpentane in an 2,2,4-trimethylpentane / n-heptane mixture that would have the same performance. It is an important constituent of gasoline.

[Keth 15]

Regular in everything. I read an article that basically disproves the whole Premium thing except for very high performance engines. Since I don't race Formula One I will stick with regular.

[doublejager2000 14]

the only thing a high octane means is when a fuel will Resist <<sorry im not a speller. Igniting do to the pressure of a piston and the heat of the friction preventing" knock". preignition is knock an makes a pinging sound as you bring your RPMS up as the fule explodes b4 it is wanted . this wastes fules unless the engine is made for it .yes the fuel burns hotter but you have to have the right engine for it to. i grew up building motors go to any shop and ask 8.5 or lower compression only needs 87 octane. every air cooled i have ever seen is much less than 8.5 mostly 7.6..... ......" if it cost more does not mean its better"

[doublejager2000 14]

look at this its perfect to explain.and save you a few bucks http://theserviceadvisor.com/octane.htm

Most cars are designed to burn regular unleaded fuels with an octane rating of 87. If the vehicle needs a higher octane rating of 89-93, there is documentation in the owner’s manual, as well as possibly under the fuel gauge and by the fuel fill hole. Usually you will see this rating for high performance engines only.

WHAT IF I PREFER TO USE GASOLINE WITH HIGHER OCTANE RATINGS?

You can, but there are no real benefits, other than the gasoline manufacturers making more money off of you. When you use a fuel with a higher octane rating than your vehicle requires, you can send this unburned fuel into the emissions system. It can also collect in the catalytic converter. When you over stress any system, it can malfunction or not do what it was designed to do properly. In the early 90's, an early warning symptom was a rotten egg smell from the tailpipe. Easy fix, go back to using regular 87 octane gasoline. The rude odor usually disappears after several tanks of gasoline.

[doublejager2000 14]

found this too>>>>

The only time you might need to switch to a higher octane level is if your car engine knocks when you use the recommended fuel. This happens to a small percentage of cars.

Unless your engine is knocking, buying higher octane gasoline is a waste of money, too. Premium gas costs 15 to 20 cents per gallon more than regular. That can add up to $100 or more a year in extra costs. Studies indicate that altogether, drivers may be spending hundreds of millions of dollars each year for higher octane gas than they need.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/autos/octane.htm

[Roger Oakley 14]

I run, what we call Unleaded, I think you guys call it Regular?

And now the price difference. A gallon of Unleaded over is about £4.30 GBP which works out to be about $8.20 USD a gallon.

Roger

[tunatussle 14]

Beth & Rod, Do you have to deal with ethenol in your gas yet? We are on E-10.

[Deck Guy 14]

Most people must have slept through this part of chemistry class.

Higher octane fuels are actually less explosive, which is why they don't pre-ignite in your cylinders under higher compression. They allow higher compression without pre-ignition or spark-knock. They are not more pure or cleaner. If you do not have issues with pre-ignition using 87 octane, it's like burning dollar bills if you're feeding your engine premium. Wouldn't you think the engineers who designed the engines would make their recommendations for the fuel that ran most efficiently?

Airplane gas or Avgas, (not jet fuel) is 100 octane, but Low Lead. You can buy it at any airport for around $3.00 a gallon, but don't call me when you burn your pistons up! Jet fuel is basically kerosene.

BTW, I burn 87 in my equipment ant 93 in my truck (Supercharged=high compression). I do get spark knock with any lower octane.

[PA Dutchman 14]

Nice to know that about jet fuel...kerosene....ITS obscene how they use "fuel" costs as a reason to charge for for stuff. Like trash companies, I'm sure they pay 'consumer price' for their fuel station at their HQ.

Just read something yesterday about another 12cents being added to our fuel tax at the pump...for "mass transit"...if your riding the bus, taking a train dailly you are not filling up a car, probably don't own a car.

actually I voted on this and from now on....I'm taking larry's advice. cheapest pump I find.

[PLD 14]

Airplane gas or Avgas, (not jet fuel) is 100 octane, but Low Lead. You can buy it at any airport for around $3.00 a gallon, but don't call me when you burn your pistons up! Jet fuel is basically kerosene.

Correction:

AvGas is high octane, low vapor point gasoline. It can be burned in your gas powered car, but can cause a fire or explode in your burner. AvGas does contain lead, so it is illegal use on road and can reap havock on your catalytic converter.

Jet Fuel or Jet-A is highly refined kerosene blend. It can be burned in your burner, but not in your car.

[Doug Dahlke 114]

I use 87 octane in the truck and my power washer. 18 HP Kohler Command 2 cylinder engine. I use kerosene in the burner. I've heard about the fuel pump issues but that is how it was set up when I got it so I continue to use it. The machine still has low hours on it. If there is a problem I'll make the switch to diesel.

[plainpainter 217]

Larry Davis commented that higher octane fuels are less explosive - he is right, lower octane fuels have more chemical potential energy than higher octane fuels. If you put a high octane fuel in an engine with a relatively low compression ratio - you will get carbon deposits. You need a certain amount of heat in a cylinder to burn off deposits. You can see this for yourself - look at your plugs with the lower octane fuels - it should be golden brown at premium burning. If you switch to a higher octane - the spark plug will turn black - this indicates cooler conditions in the chamber. Always run the lowest octane fuel you can before conditions of ping happen. Your engine will give you better performance. Higher compression ratios are supplying the heat - so your fuel doesnt need to be as explosive, a,k,a, higher octane.

[MMI Enterprises 289]

Guess someone did the poll and is why this thread came up again. I'll comment...

Higher octane adds no power for normal/lower compression engines. If anything the regular has more potential than higher octane. When you get into higher compression ratios the higher octane can result in more torque and horsepower though due to extended burn it offers. Make no mistake the extra power comes really from the higher compression such engines offers. Running as low a octane that your stock/low compression engine will tolerate without knock and ping is ideal to acheive most bang for your buck.

[Joe Ortiz 14]

regular in all trucks & PW."If it aint broke why fix it"

[ApexPCLLC 14]

Being a hobby of mine to build drag racers. You are 100% correct. Octane is an additive designed to slow fuel burn. The higher the compresion the high the octane needed to prevent Detonation. Now as for cheapest gas stations dont do that. Have you ever wondered why Save a nickel gas station is cheaper than Exxon,Sunoco,BP, and Amaco.Well now youll know Major oil companys ( name Brands) mix in additional chems to prevent and clean carbon deposit build up thru out intake and exhuast system. If anyone one has ever pulled the valves out of the head of an engine you know that the bottom is smooth and the top is covered with carbon. As this carbon builds it it slows the intake air and fuel mixture and also slows the exhaust exiting the cylinder, Thus causing redused power output and causing unneed wear and tear.

[Jerry 24]

WOW, good input guys !!!

and I'll add...

whatever you run, use fuel injector cleaner in the fuel...

it keeps your valves from becoming sticky of the crap oil companies add nowadays for keeping the octane up when they dilute that cheep-import-fuel with alcohol.

gee I hope I didn't go too political there, I get so emotional sometimes :)

Anyway.. Service departments all over the country are doing more valve-jobs

than ever for the new fuel deposit issues.

Jerry McMillen

President, Cleaning System Specialists, Inc. jerry@pressurewasher.net

dba PressureWasher.netcall 800-400-Clean (2532)

10821 Airport Drive El Cajon, Calif. 92020 office 619-448-8111

manufacturers of… BullDogProIndustrial Water Blasters

Sirocco Reclaim Systems, and theVacuBerm

Edited September 27, 2009 by Jerry
spelling

[offduty 25]

I run 87 octane in all my machines. If you have carbs and have no choice but to use ethonal fuel, add Sea Foam and use a hotter plug. I love my Kohlers and their fuel injection, no problems with ethonal.