Alcohol free fuel 🙄

[Dutch]

I buy Conoco 91 octane from a local company.  I’ve never had a problem with it and run it in my outboard and all of my small engines.

[fishinwrench]

55 minutes ago, Dutch said:

I buy Conoco 91 octane from a local company.  I’ve never had a problem with it and run it in my outboard and all of my small engines.

I don't notice any benefit to premium fuel, and there may be an actual hindrance because it's likely a bit more aged than the regular fuel available at the same pump.  But if the motor runs good on it, and you don't mind spending the extra money...... 👍

[Dutch]

My comes by motor tech and my small engine guy both recommend it so that is what I do.  A few bucks here and there don’t amount to much in the grand scheme of things.

[snagged in outlet 3]

50 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

I don't notice any benefit to premium fuel, and there may be an actual hindrance because it's likely a bit more aged than the regular fuel available at the same pump.  But if the motor runs good on it, and you don't mind spending the extra money...... 👍

The primary gas station I use is packed all the time.  I doubt they ever have aged fuel.   When we travel we always stop at the big places like loves.   Half the time you have to wait to get to a pump.   Plus they have those coffee machines that grind and brew the coffee right when you order it😁

[jdmidwest]

Casey's around here usually have a hi octane non ethanol pair of pumps.  And all of the small engine guys are hitting it.  Enough to keep the fuel fresh.  Harp's have come to the area and are carrying a non ethanol at them also in the hi octane. 

My 4 strokers sip the gas, so its only a few dollars more at each fillup.  I fill the tanks up in the fall and siphon them off in the spring to cans for the mowers and tillers.  Helps keep the condensation to a minimum in the boats.

[snagged in outlet 3]

10 hours ago, jdmidwest said:

Casey's around here usually have a hi octane non ethanol pair of pumps.  And all of the small engine guys are hitting it.  Enough to keep the fuel fresh.  Harp's have come to the area and are carrying a non ethanol at them also in the hi octane. 

My 4 strokers sip the gas, so its only a few dollars more at each fillup.  I fill the tanks up in the fall and siphon them off in the spring to cans for the mowers and tillers.  Helps keep the condensation to a minimum in the boats.

Can’t buy or sell ethanol free in the STL metro area.  Against the law for some ridiculous reason.  

[fishinwrench]

3 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Can’t buy or sell ethanol free in the STL metro area.  Against the law for some ridiculous reason.  

I used to say that it didn't exist, as everyone who claimed to ONLY buy ethanol-free fuel, had 5-10% alcohol in their fuel tank when tested.  

Now I finally get brought in a boat that truly has fuel with zero alcohol percentage......and the motor won't run right on it.   The stuff won't even kill weeds.    Not sure what to make of that. 🤷‍♂️

[tjm]

Reckon the guy got to the pump just after the tanker unloaded and he got a lot of churned up  tank bottom  sludge?

[snagged in outlet 3]

37 minutes ago, tjm said:

Reckon the guy got to the pump just after the tanker unloaded and he got a lot of churned up  tank bottom  sludge?

I thought they had filters and water separators???

[tjm]

 Maybe? IDK,  but I've bought water at the gas pump in the past, pre-ethanol days.  Alcohol absorbs and burns a lot of water, which is why Heet (methanol) was so popular in days gone by. I don't think water is the problem with Wrench's liquid though or it'd settle out in his alcohol testing. Non-ethanol gasoline has all those old problems that all gas used to have.

I was just speculating, based on a time when I filled up while the tanker was unloading, never gave it a thought at the time, but the car stuttered and sputtered until I added some more gas and an additive. My mechanic at the time thought "tank bottom" was the problem, problem went away with a couple tanks of gas, so I kinda thought he was onto something.

The other thing that occurs to me is that the non-ethanol at that station gets so little use that the gas "aged out" from setting there for months. I don't think the stuff they replaced "lead" with stands up very long in storage.