Best gas for your Outboard?!?!

[Chrisravosa36]

Trying to figure out which fuel is the best for outboards. In my area, the nearest place that sells Marine Fuel is nearly 40 minutes away, and is very inconvenient. I have always used gas from the station, but always used 87 octane. Is there any benefits for 91 or 93 octane? which is better for 2 strokes? which is better for four strokes? I realize the newer engines recommend a certain kind, but the older ones are harder to find info for. If you could please give me some input on what you use for gas, it would be helpful to know what kind of outboard you have also. Also does a marine stabilizer effect your gas? does it have any behfet, ive heard it helps, and some say it doesn't.

 

[jbcurt00]

Might as well add flotation foam, which 2stroke oil to use and who makes the best engine oil to the list of hotly debated topics posted on the forum.

As an aside, why are Marine Diesel and Diesel in the same list as 'regular' gas? Any motor that runs diesel doesnt run regular gas and vice versa?

Did you search for topics already posted, there are many that cover fuel, ethanol free fuel and fuel stabilizers? Off hand there are several that were posted and discussed extensively in the last 5-6wks.

Good luck, and lets not decend into a bickering match, ok fellas?

 

[ondarvr]

I saw no option for "none of the above", which would be the correct answer for about 90% of boaters.

 

[gm280]

Oh boy, another "what is best" thread. I agree with the above comments. So many times everybody's ideas are the best and only way to do things...you'll see that as more post. So it is really up to the individual as to their "best". I use to baby my first Bass Boat and wanted nothing but the absolute best of anything concerning it. But then I started reading and learning and most any gas works as well as any other. So let your pocketbook be your guide. After all, it isn't rocket surgery! JMHO! :facepalm:

 

[GA_Boater]

I voted for diesel for a good reason. After you try to run it through your outboard and the motor won't run, the "Help Me Fix It" thread will increase traffic in the forum tremendously.

Why not ask what is the preferred gas for my XYZ outboard? You will get the same answers that won't be definitive or answer the question because it's all based on opinion.

Your poll needs work. The diesel parts need to go and the stabilizer parts as well. Stabilizer is used for long term storage, there are other additives recommended by some for day to day operation.

If you are looking for Ethanol free gas, check out http://pure-gas.org/ for stations selling it near you, you might find one closer than 40 miles. Expect to pay an arm and a leg for E0, there are reports of as much a $1 premium added and I've personally seen even higher, I'm lucky, when I feel the need strike to run E0, I can get E0 87 octane for the same price as premium E10 or 40 cents higher than E10-87. The need strikes when my route to the lake that day takes me by the the place, otherwise good, old E10-87 works. It's all a matter of biased opinion. Take it for what it's worth and consider how much you paid for it.

You should plug "ethanol" in the search box on top of the page and see how many posts are in the forum about the subject. Brew a large urn of coffee first because you will be reading a long time.

 

[GA_Boater]

I saw no option for "none of the above", which would be the correct answer for about 90% of boaters.

Got ya covered!.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, I like the cheapest regular gas (w/ ethanol) and TCW III oil I can get my hands on.....My motor likes the cheapest, just fine.....

 

[Silvertip]

I didn't check the "I don't take polls" box because "I don't take polls". In the opening statement you asked if there was any benefit to using higher octane fuel. The very short answer is NO! Why? Because low compression engines don't need it and high octane fuel does not have more "power" or energy in it. It's sole purpose is to limit the tendency for an engine to detonate. If the engine is designed for higher octane then it is likely "mandatory" that you run it. Modern vehicles have fuel management systems that include oxygen, temperature, and knock sensors that control spark advance and fuel delivery. These engines can take advantage of high octane fuel by allowing the engine to operate at the very edge of detonation for optimum power. Outboards do not have that capability so high octane fuel is a waste of money.

 

[flyingscott]

This isn't even a whats best question this is more of a question about why people don't read the owners manual. The owners manual is the one place that has the answer to this question. If you don't have an owners manual get one many questions about motors can be answered there. Or you can call the manufacturer for it's recommendations.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I personally prefer ethanol free. depending on where you are geographically it is most likely available at a premium price as 87 octane from a local filling station, or it may be available as the 91/93 octane premium. However if you use the boat, do not let it sit for the fuel to go bad, you can run any petrol pump swill of outboard manufacturers recommended octane or higher.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Use whatever your engine manual calls for.

My 175 needs 87 octane and my 140 needs 89 octane, so that's what I feed them. Using a higher octane fuel than is required is just throwing money away. Also, any engine built since the early '80s or thereabouts should be fine with E10 since that's when 'ethanol' came into common usage and engine manufactures had to adapt to it. Change your fuel lines every 10 to 15 years and fuel filter yerly and you won't have anything to worry about.

 

[gm280]

Speaking of Ethanol fuel mixtures, I see where the Feds are now talking about upping the percentage of alcohol blends to a higher level. It presently is actually lower then the 10% sticker on most gas pumps. But the new talk is to push that to 10.5% soon. And then to 15% later. And that really doesn't make much sense because as they push higher percentages, the mileages suffer and you have to buy more fuel. So how is that saving oil and such? :noidea: But it does work harder on fuel systems being how alcohol likes to dissolve rubbers and fuel lines. And lets not even get into yard equipment.

 

[GA_Boater]

XXXX

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Speaking of Ethanol fuel mixtures, I see where the Feds are now talking about upping the percentage of alcohol blends to a higher level. It presently is actually lower then the 10% sticker on most gas pumps. But the new talk is to push that to 10.5% soon. And then to 15% later. And that really doesn't make much sense because as they push higher percentages, the mileages suffer and you have to buy more fuel. So how is that saving oil and such? :noidea: But it does work harder on fuel systems being how alcohol likes to dissolve rubbers and fuel lines. And lets not even get into yard equipment.

I'd read last year that ethanol producers (i.e. some of the largest chemical companies) petitioned the EPA to "approve" E15 for use in automobiles. The EPA was thus obligated to run tests to determine whether or not E15 could safely be used in new cars, and the finding was that it could be. There was never any mandate to use E15, only approval that it could be used if desired (although the chemical companies would love to see it mandated so they could obviously sell more of their product).

 

[GA_Boater]

Now we've gone completely off topic. We will not discuss EPA proposals about ethanol. Why - Because the EPA is government and we don't go there.

 

[Chrisravosa36]

I voted for diesel for a good reason. After you try to run it through your outboard and the motor won't run, the "Help Me Fix It" thread will increase traffic in the forum tremendously.

.

You've never heard of a diesel outboard? Evinrude has a MFE or something like that, there are plenty. Just wanted to try to include all options. I relize I could have reworded this better, im not looking for a spesific outboard, im looking to see which is the most popular.

 

[GA_Boater]

You've never heard of a diesel outboard? Evinrude has a MFE or something like that, there are plenty. Just wanted to try to include all options. I relize I could have reworded this better, im not looking for a spesific outboard, im looking to see which is the most popular.

Yes I have. Do you have one? Currently diesel outboards are only for government use.

You asked about the best fuel and diesel isn't a choice if you don't own one or can't buy one.

MFE is not a diesel, It's a multi-fuel engine and you can't buy one. Merc also makes what they call a diesel and once again, you can't buy one.

Gasoline is the most popular because it's the only fuel we can use other than a few propane outboards.

 

[Chrisravosa36]

It is still possible people who have worked for the government and have used these outboards are on this forum? and no there are diesel outboards that are used recreationally, such as yanmar. Point being that yes there are possibly people on this forum who have used diesel outboards, and or have used marine diesel/ regular diesel.

*Evinrude has supplied marine diesel engine to the military, but more recently has opened it up to the general public, so yes I could buy one.

http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=22253
http://www.duchowsboats.com/s/showca...-engines/2015/

 

[GA_Boater]

Read your thread title, it says ":Best Gas For Your Outboard". Well that does not include diesel fuel.

 

[Fun Times]

Speaking of Ethanol fuel mixtures, I see where the Feds are now talking about upping the percentage of alcohol blends to a higher level. It presently is actually lower then the 10% sticker on most gas pumps. But the new talk is to push that to 10.5% soon. And then to 15% later. And that really doesn't make much sense because as they push higher percentages, the mileages suffer and you have to buy more fuel. So how is that saving oil and such? :noidea: But it does work harder on fuel systems being how alcohol likes to dissolve rubbers and fuel lines. And lets not even get into yard equipment.

XXXX

Not intending to try and throw this subject to far off base but it should at least be known that unfortunately it seems E15 is going to be coming true sooner than later according to yesterdays (12/1/15) new article. Just when you start to get use to one change another change comes around the corner.

http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/2015/...de-enewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=t extlink&utm_campaign=enewsletter-120115

EPA increases ethanol levels in fuel standard
Posted on December 1st, 2015:


The Environmental Protection Agency finalized renewable fuel standards through 2016, angering the ethanol industry but still increasing ethanol requirements and effectively breaking the so-called blend wall.

The blend wall is the term given to the amount of ethanol in the overall fuel supply that the engine fleet can tolerate without damage, which most industries believe is E10, or gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol. E15, or gasoline with 15 percent ethanol, has been shown to cause damage to marine and other small engines.
?While the ruling falls short of the worst-case scenario, it still mandates the breaking of the blend wall in 2016,? the National Marine Manufacturers Association said in a post today. ?Due to this ruling, more ethanol, largely in the form of E15, will be required across the country?s fuel supply.?
The EPA released the standard on Monday and acknowledged the comments and testimony from the NMMA and other industries that opposed the increases proposed, which already fell short of the Renewable Fuel Standard?s requirements for increasing biofuels.
?The final requirements will boost renewable fuel production and provide for robust, achievable growth of the biofuels industry,? the EPA wrote in the ruling. ?The final rule considered the many public comments EPA received on the proposal and incorporates updated information and data. EPA is finalizing 2014 and 2015 standards at levels that reflect the actual amount of domestic biofuel used in those years, and standards for 2016 (and 2017 for biodiesel) that represent significant growth over historical levels.?
The final 2016 standard for advanced biofuel is nearly 1 billion gallons, or 35 percent, higher than the actual 2014 volumes, and the total renewable fuel standard requires growth from 2014 to 2016 of more than 1.8 billion gallons of biofuel, or 11 percent more than 2014 actual volumes.
Biodiesel standards grow steadily during the next several years, increasing every year to reach 2 billion gallons by 2017.
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad issued a statement saying he was ?extremely disappointed? that the EPA?s final decision failed to follow renewable fuel standards Congress set in 2007. Critics say those mandates were based on the assumption that gasoline consumption would rise. It has significantly dropped since the RFS was passed.
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association told the Des Moines Register that the new standards would hurt farmers ?already struggling with low farm income and commodity prices that in many cases are at or below their cost of production.?
The NMMA and its coalition of supporters continue to urge Congress to fix what they call a ?failed policy.?