Regular vs premium gas

[CooperT]

i know these vipers only require 87 octane, just wondering if anybody only uses premium 91 octane and do you notice any difference in the way the engine performs, mileage etc? Is it better for the engine to run 91? Up in Ontario here the 91 has no ethanol.

 

[WVTurboLTX]

With all the ethonol cap in the fuel these days, I only run premium is all the toys. Cheap insurance against detonation from old gas. Everyone I ride with does the same. Most snowmobile areas have non ethanol premium.

 

[DranttelSS]

Just a general reminder:

A lot of people assume that if its 91 then it doesn't have ethanol. Around here, that's not always the case. Unless it says "non oxygenated" or "non ethanol" it will have ethanol mixed in. Make sure you always check the pump!

I don't notice a difference when running them through my sled.

 

[shadow637]

With all the ethonol cap in the fuel these days, I only run premium is all the toys. Cheap insurance against detonation from old gas. Everyone I ride with does the same. Most snowmobile areas have non ethanol premium.

Ethanol actually increases the octane rating of gas, E85 (85% ethanol/15% gas) has an octane rating of approx 105. Higher octane fuel resists detonation because it does not burn as easily... Putting higher octane premium in an engine designed to run on 87 octane is a complete waste of $$ and probably loses a bit of hp.

 

[WVTurboLTX]

Ethanol actually increases the octane rating of gas, E85 (85% ethanol/15% gas) has an octane rating of approx 105. Higher octane fuel resists detonation because it does not burn as easily... Putting higher octane premium in an engine designed to run on 87 octane is a complete waste of $$ and probably loses a bit of hp.

You are correct when it comes to fresh fuel. However gasoline with ethanol in it ages and looses octane much faster than straight gasoline. Ethanol is some nasty stuff. I know guys that run straight ethanol in quads and it eats the seals up in everything much faster.

 

[WVTurboLTX]

Ethanol actually increases the octane rating of gas, E85 (85% ethanol/15% gas) has an octane rating of approx 105. Higher octane fuel resists detonation because it does not burn as easily... Putting higher octane premium in an engine designed to run on 87 octane is a complete waste of $$ and probably loses a bit of hp.

Just search Phase Separation if you wana see how crappy ethanol blended gas is.

 

[shadow637]

Just search Phase Separation if you wana see how crappy ethanol blended gas is.

I know all about ethanol, we have had it in our fuel here in MN since around 2003. You rarely hear about any fuel related issues anymore as all vehicles since the early 2000's are built with systems compatible with it. Issues come up when it is used in older vehicles that have fuel systems that are full of varnish, ethanol is more like a solvent and cleans the varnish and it will plug filters, jets, injectors, etc down stream. I do agree, it is not good to store something like a snowmobile over the off season without some type of stabilizer or a non-oxygented fuel in it.

 

[cannondale27]

I like the 87 because it is most used in cars and therefore more likely to be fresh. It's cheap and all those suckers waiting in line for premium I just go right in front of! Performance wise I could not tell difference.

 

[WVTurboLTX]

I know all about ethanol, we have had it in our fuel here in MN since around 2003. You rarely hear about any fuel related issues anymore as all vehicles since the early 2000's are built with systems compatible with it. Issues come up when it is used in older vehicles that have fuel systems that are full of varnish, ethanol is more like a solvent and cleans the varnish and it will plug filters, jets, injectors, etc down stream. I do agree, it is not good to store something like a snowmobile over the off season without some type of stabilizer or a non-oxygented fuel in it.

I can tell you that I've seen first hand when a few two strokes went down because of bad fuel. They got 87 and I always got premium and never had an issue. These were stock engines. Now, our 4 strokes are much more tolerant when it comes to bad gas but I still like the peace of mind. I don't have a choice with the viper since it's a turbo but I still run premium in everything.

 

[WVTurboLTX]

FWIW skidoo tells you right on their gas cap that 87 is fine if it's non ethanol in their 4 strokes. Otherwise you are supposed to run 90+.

 

[bbquadrider]

Total waste of time and money to run higher octane than recommended.less power to boot.lower octane tends to be the freshest at the pumps too

via big bad phone

 

[TD Max]

You are correct when it comes to fresh fuel. However gasoline with ethanol in it ages and looses octane much faster than straight gasoline. Ethanol is some nasty stuff. I know guys that run straight ethanol in quads and it eats the seals up in everything much faster.

Ethanol or methanol? Most alky stuff is methanol and yes it is highly corrosive.

 

[shadow637]

You are correct when it comes to fresh fuel. However gasoline with ethanol in it ages and looses octane much faster than straight gasoline. Ethanol is some nasty stuff. I know guys that run straight ethanol in quads and it eats the seals up in everything much faster.

Ethanol is just grain alcohol, like vodka, but it has a little gas blended in it to make it undrinkable. If ethanol is eating up the seals in their fuel systems you better not drink any alcohol! Methanol is wood alcohol and is very corrosive and poisonous. I would guess they are either burning methanol or have some old #*$&@ quads that are not meant to tolerate E10 gas...

 

[savageman69]

ive never had fuel issues with ethanol...leave my sea doo out side all winter, atv sits months at a time and so does the sled...never once had a fuel issue

 

[InRBigness]

Ethanol is not so bad for Larger 4 stroke motors. It is Death in Waiting on little two stokes. I lost a Stihl saw because of it. Leaned out and scored the piston really badly. They are now made with such tight tolerances now to meet emissions regs.