Thread: Unleaded gas

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  1. #1
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    Unleaded gas

    So for the last 11 years I have been running 87 octane unleaded with startron and ring free in my 2006 Yamaha 150 vmax. Some of the gas stations around here are now getting 89 octane leaded gas. Would you change or just continue the same way it has been run. The leaded gas is also 1.50 more per gallon.

  2. Member crank68's Avatar
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    #2
    I'd continue with the same...
    Last edited by crank68; 02-25-2017 at 08:49 PM.
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  3. Member Bob G.'s Avatar
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    #3
    Are you sure it's leaded and not ethanol free? What is the fuel requirement for your motor?
    2006 Triton TR-21 XD, Mercury 225 Pro XS, S/N 1B287870

  4. eddrunner@bellsouth.net
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    #4
    Dang . I thought leaded gas was illegal ?

  5. Banned
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    #5
    Quote Originally Posted by EDDRUNNER View Post
    Dang . I thought leaded gas was illegal ?
    Unless it's AV fuel, it's not leaded. Banned.

  6. Member
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    #6
    My bad I meant ethanol free. They say 87 octane for my motor.

  7. Moderator TMG's Avatar
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    #7
    Quote Originally Posted by stackenem View Post
    My bad I meant ethanol free. They say 87 octane for my motor.

    I've been running nothing but 87 ethanol gas and startron for 10 years in my Optimax since my boat was brand new.
    Not 1 problem yet.
    " Talking to you is like clapping with one hand "
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  8. Banned
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    #8
    Quote Originally Posted by stackenem View Post
    My bad I meant ethanol free. They say 87 octane for my motor.
    I was going to say!..... Damn don't use leaded!

    Nothing wrong with using 87 octane!

  9. Banned
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    #9
    I just stay with the ethanol 87... It's everywhere and that's what the engine was designed to run... Just add the proper additives and you'll be good to go... Dan

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    #10
    But don't use the ethanol 15. Bad bad bad.

    Sam

  11. Member Skeeterbait's Avatar
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    #11
    Run what your manufacturer call for. Outboards are operational temperature sensitive and higher octane fuel burns cooler. It will not be optimal for your engine.


  12. Member
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    #12
    Its ok to run it .Heard it best not to run both or try not to mix the two / run one or the other on a regular basic .

  13. Member DrewFlu33's Avatar
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    #13
    I put a tank of no-ethanol 91 in mine and it ran like crap. This was when I did some research and found that the higher octane fuels burn cooler as was mentioned - had no idea! Higher than the 89 you're talking about so probably a more severe reaction, but worth mentioning I think.

    I know you said you're running a Yamaha...but our resident Mercury guru, Don over on the Mercury forums, suggests choosing fuel that's 1)From a high traffic station, 2)The proper octane, 3)Has the lowest ethanol content, in that order. In other words, at least in his and Mercury's opinion, running the recommended octane is more important than running low/no ethanol.

    If it's been working good so far, I would be inclined to just keep doing what you're doing.
    2011 Skeeter ZX225
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    #14
    I think I would use it depending on how often you use it. I recall hearing that fuel loses octane as it ages. If you go every few weeks, go for 87. but if you only get out every few months, go for the 89.
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  15. Ken Braun
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    #15
    So on a Merc, 250xs is it better to use 87 10% or 91 with no ethanol?

  16. Member
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    #16
    Whats wrong mixing 89-91 ethanol free with 87 10% ethanol gas?

  17. Member Skeeterbait's Avatar
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    #17
    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Braun View Post
    So on a Merc, 250xs is it better to use 87 10% or 91 with no ethanol?
    I can tell you that my Mercury Certified Mechanic says get the octane right even if that means having to buy 10% ethanol. Ethanol free is great but only if you can get it in the recommended octane.


  18. Member Skeeterbait's Avatar
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    #18
    Quote Originally Posted by usabassin View Post
    Whats wrong mixing 89-91 ethanol free with 87 10% ethanol gas?
    Not sure why you want to go to the trouble to buy gas twice. I know I used my card one time to buy myself and my son a tank of fuel back to back and the bank locked my card for fraud protection.


  19. Member
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    #19
    I thought the ECU compensates for fuel burn.
    My engine doesn't know the difference between 89/91 octane. Runs great on both.
    2007 Skeeter 21i 300HDPI

  20. Member
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    #20
    Was told gas will over time lose octane so if you don't burn it up in several weeks it might be best to start off with higher octane.
    If you mixed half and half 87 w/ 10% and 91 w/ 0% wouldn't you end up with 89 w/ 5%?