FUEL and FUEL ADDITIVES for 4-Stroke Models EDITED 3/21/19

[fieldstream13]

Hey Don, I recently bought boat with a 200 Pro XS four stroke and haven't put an ounce of fuel in it yet.. Is it acceptable to run fuel stabilizer such as QuickStor or QuickCare during break in? I heard that you should wait until after break in for some reason...?

[SilverFox579]

Hey Don, I recently bought boat with a 200 Pro XS four stroke and haven't put an ounce of fuel in it yet.. Is it acceptable to run fuel stabilizer such as QuickStor or QuickCare during break in? I heard that you should wait until after break in for some reason...?

Yes.

[homebody]

Yes it is acceptable to run at first or yes you should wait until after break in?

I really would like to see the answer from Don Weed who is a certified Mercury mechanic, please.

I have the same issue, will be picking up a new boat on Tuesday with the 2021 115 ProXS and will be filling up for the first time.
I have read and re-read Don Weed's posts many times, fantastic resource and I think answers are right there in his posts but do not want to make assumptions.

[SilverFox579]

Run the additives beginning with the first tank of proper octane fuel.

[EuropeanAM]

Yes it is acceptable to run at first or yes you should wait until after break in?

I really would like to see the answer from Don Weed who is a certified Mercury mechanic, please.

I have the same issue, will be picking up a new boat on Tuesday with the 2021 115 ProXS and will be filling up for the first time.
I have read and re-read Don Weed's posts many times, fantastic resource and I think answers are right there in his posts but do not want to make assumptions.

My recommendations start with the very first tank of fuel placed in the boat, and run to the very last tank of fuel placed in the boat.

In other words- from the first day you own to the last day you own.

[homebody]

Don
Thanks very much for your response. I like many people really appreciate you sharing your expertise and the amount of time you spend responding to our questions.
it is much appreciated.

[EuropeanAM]

Don
Thanks very much for your response. I like many people really appreciate you sharing your expertise and the amount of time you spend responding to our questions.
it is much appreciated.

Thank you for the kind words. Nice to know someone reads them as they're written.

[BasserJim]

Don, if you were me, would you run 87 octane E10 or 90 octane ethanol free in a 175 ProXS?

[EuropeanAM]

Fuel Selection:

Make your fuel selections based on the following criteria, IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER:

-High Traffic, Top-Tier (Name Brand) Fuel
-Appropriate Octane Rating (see above info)
-Lowest possible ethanol content (NEVER to exceed 10%).
-While it may be preferable to utilize a fuel that contains lower (or no) ethanol, use of fuels that are SUBSTANTIALLY higher octane can result in decreased performance, decreased fuel economy, and potential for carbon buildup. Higher octane fuels burn SLOWER and COOLER.

So when you get to the busy-traffic Top-Tier, Name-Brand Station, pull the nozzle for 87 octane (with no more than 10% ethanol content).

[BasserJim]

So when you get to the busy-traffic Top-Tier, Name-Brand Station, pull the nozzle for 87 octane (with no more than 10% ethanol content).

Thanks Don. In reading your post about ethanol free, I wasn’t sure how it would be defined for it to be not “substantially” higher octane

[Table Rock 1]

Good info.

[SilverFox579]

Thanks Don. In reading your post about ethanol free, I wasn’t sure how it would be defined for it to be not “substantially” higher octane

He's defined "substantially higher" in the 2-stroke forum (identical fuel topic there) as being more than one grade, ergo, no higher than 89.