Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

So now that Amoco Ultimate no longer exists, and all gases have 10% ethanol in them, and most all gases have large amounts of Nitrogen-based or other detergeants, what is the best fuel to be running in small engines? All of the gas companies have gone to skimping on the quality of gas in order to help improve their margins, but I'm sure that some above others have better or worse chemical make-up for use in small engines. I understand that some of this has to be based on speculation because the gas companies do not release any information on what chemicals they add to the gas; they only say "it's better".

Personal Experience: when I used Amoco Regular in my Pontiac Bonneville '98, my gas mileage was about 6 mi/gal higher than when they switched to BP Invigorate Regular.

Fresh fuel from Top Tier companies.  Shell or Phillips 66, unless you want to spend money on those premixed fuels for 2 stroke engines.

Gas is all the same  - it's just the additive pack.
They all come from the same Regional Refinery.

Just buy from a station that has good movement. This means more fresher gas.
With the said, buy gas in small volumes and put 1-2 oz of Seafoam per gallon .

After doing some reading, it sounds like Seafoam or Mix-I-Go is a requirement now with the ethanol content being bumped up to 15% this October.

Even the federal testing of ethanol (E15+, which will soon be standard % on all gas) on small engines shows random stalls, extreme temperatures, lower life-expectancy, eradic RPMs, governor issues, loss of power, and other such things including total engine failure. They noted that many rpm engaged clutches were engaging at idle among other things.

"exhaust temperature, rising 10°C to 50°C from E0 to E15 and 20°C to 70°C from E0 to E20"

Causing high enough operating temperatures to start melting rubber seals in the engine? And this stuff is being mandatorily pushed out across the nation?

After reading through the majority of the federal test report, I'd say the only engines that I would trust using 10-15% (normal 'Regular' or 'Premium' gas) ethanol would be Honda because their Kohler and Briggs engines completely failed after about 30 hours.

You guys say there is no difference in gas, just get fresh stuff, but every test and mechanic in the nation that I am reading says otherwise. So what forum should I go to for a more informed answer?

Electrocutor wrote:

You already read "every tests and mechanic in the nation", aren't you already very informed?  Seems like you should be giving out the answers to the folks here, instead of go looking for more answers.  Right?

Spend a few hours compiile data, then come back and let us know what is that more informed answer?  Maybe start a lobby against bad gas and E15.

David -

The difference in MPG may be due to MTBE vs Ethanol gas. There is less energy content in Ethanol. However, 6 extra miles per gallon is WAY TOO HUGE of a stretch between any brand....

U do realize that the higher the octane the higher the resistence to detonation. If the engine calls for 87, than anything more than 87 is non beneficial. It's JUST gas. The engine if maintained will probably outlast considerable other components in the OPE itself.

Which is better. Charmin or Cottenelle.
IT'S JUST GAS.........

chefwong wrote:
The only way I'm going to get 6+ miles more per gallon is to drive the car like a grandma and stay off boost.    29 MPG highway at 75 mph, 15-24 MPG city.

I was told (no, I do not have a reference, appreciate it if anyone has one either way) that the 10% ethanol sticker means UP TO 10%, that the gas company can lower the amount based on availability. With the way corn prices jumped, I would not be surprised if it was less.

Bill_H wrote:

Ethanol

[edit] United States

In the United States, ethanol is sometimes added to gasoline but sold without an indication that it is a component.

In several states, ethanol is added by law to a minimum level which is currently 5.9%. Most fuel pumps display a sticker stating that the fuel may contain up to 10% ethanol, an intentional disparity which allows the minimum level to be raised over time without requiring modification of the literature/labelling. The bill^{[citation needed]} which was being debated at the time the disclosure of the presence of ethanol in the fuel was mandated has recently passed.

Last month, the maximum was raised to 15%.