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

So I FINALLY got to use it the other day. First thing I did was shake the 2 cycle can for a few minutes to make sure it was well mixed. Then I poured it in the tank. I took my glove off and pressed the primer bulb twice covering that little nub. Turned the key to on set the choke and pulled. It started on the third pull. First time starting. Cool!
We received about 7 inches of snow.

That Quick Shoot is just down right cool. I debated whether I wanted it and a glad I splurged. I did not try the electric start.
I have a flat double concrete drive and the Toro had it done in about ten minutes. SO much easier than shoveling plus I am not getting any younger. There is a learning curve but that is part of the fun! IT does throw the snow far, it was powdery. ON the EOD is bogged down a little but did not stall. On shut down it sounds just like a Lawnboy, given the engines heritage.
I am impressed with it and would buy another.

Higher octane is for high compression engine as they are designed to detonate at high compression.  Honda and B&S small engines have around 8-9 compression ratio so these do not qualify for high compression engine so again why waste money on something that will not help at all.  But again, if using 89 or 92 octane makes you feel better, then use it.

If I understand it correctly, octane is a chemical that is added, at a cost to the buyer, to gasoline to make it less flammable.  It is a combustion retardant to allow the gas/air mixture to be compressed to a greater amount without pre-igniting due to heat etc. and making the engine knock or fight itself.  In other words, regular low octane gas burns better, more flammable.  Don't use an octane rating higher than what the engine maker calls for.

Please correct me if I am off on this.  Just a rookie.

I'm hoping that the advice I received from my dealer,whom i trust, to use the 89 octane is founded in their experience with these engines. The small difference in cost for the amount of fuel I will use each year is worth it for my peace of mind especially considering my lack of experience with these engines.

This is a real issue for car owners as well.  I have been listening to Car Talk and those MIT grads say it is waste of money to buy gasoline above the required limit.  If your engine requires minimum of 86 octane than there is no need for anything higher.  There is a lot of old myths passed on from one generation to the next.  Again, if it makes you feel better go for it.  It is only money.

The cost difference is not a big deal; I would just rather go with what the engine maker specifies to attain the best burn efficiency (hopefully equaling max power) and most importantly engine longevity.

I used to sell products to refineries and automakers. It was explained to me that each gallon of gas contains the same amount of energy. The formulations are changed to alter the ignition temperature. The higher the octane value in the formulation the higher the ignition temperature. Higher octane is required for high compression engines to eliminate pre-ignition which results in engine knock. Using higher octane than recommended by the engine manufacturer will not provide any performance improvement nor will it prolong the life of the engine. Buying higher octane than is recommended by the engine manufacturer is spending extra money and receiving nothing in return.

"Buying higher octane than is recommended by the engine manufacturer is spending extre money and receiving nothing in return."

These same people will also buy over-priced synthetic oil and realize no advantage from that either.  It's a mental exercise to slay demons that don't exist. 

It's a dealer's job to hoodwink inexperienced customers into buying their expensive wares such as$15.00 qt. synthetic oil, $10.00 spark plugs, etc.  because that's where the money is.   Why a dealer would recommend fuel with higher octane unnecessarily is beyond me?  Maybe he has stocks in the octane chemical business??

I'm forever perplexed why people participate in these forums, receive perfectly sound advice/guidance, yet continue to be lulled into the dealership smoke and mirrors routines.

Why bother asking if you're not going to heed the advice from those with real world experience? 

BORAT: Not sure if you were referring to me or not but I was not asking for advice on octane. I was only offering information on what my dealer recommended for this machine. The next time I speak with them I will try to get the rationale for that advice. I will report back here at that time.

OK. I've done some internet research on fuels octane with regards to 2 stroke engines. The information I've read says that 2 stroke oil mixed at 50:1 will lower a fuel's octane by two point. Sounds reasonable to me. Here are links to threads where this is discussed:

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/ot-grade-gasoline-2-cycle-lawn-equipment-206164/
http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-749087.html

Sorry youll need to copy /paste I cant seem to convert to hotlinks using firefox.

I asked my work buddy (snowmobiler & snow thrower guy) why he had recommended Premium gas for my snow throwers.  Turns out that what he meant was get the ethanol free (!) Shell V-Power 91 that "contains no Ethanol".  It wasn't the high Octane he was after, it was the no Ethanol part of it.  I just filled up my gas can at lunch of the Shell 91 and snapped a shot of the pump.  This is in Toronto, Canada so maybe it is a regional thing.

I usually get gas at Petro-Canada where they say "may contain up to 10% ethanol".  I think I am switching gas station brands.  One of my cars calls for Premium anyways.

As for the throwers, my Ariens wants "a minimum of 87 octane", "up to 10% ethanol" or "up to 10% MTBE".

The Poulan asks for "Unleaded Regular only", "do not exceed 87 octane rating" and "Do not use any fuel >E10 in this machine", also "Do not use E85 blended fuels.  This engine is not E20/E30/E85 compatible".

A downloaded 221QE Operator's Manual doesn't seem to mention Octane ratings from what I could see, but did say "fresh, unleaded gasoline" and "Do not use E85 or E20 fuel".

I figure that exceeding Octane ratings (i.e. on the Poulan) is less of an evil than running Ethanol if Ethanol can be avoided, as I am able to do at Shell.