pump octane

[DAVID PARSONS]

I have conflicting information on what fuel grade to use in my saws. for example my husky 262 manual calls for octane 90roz does this equal 90 pump octane or is it research octane number? should I use 89 pump octane or should I mix half and half 89 and 93 which are the common mid and high grades in my area?

 

[WOLF_RIVER_MIKE]

Hi David and welcome to the list. Octane has been a hot topic around here. My advise is, well, try different things. I think carbs are like women, the curse of all mankind, each one is different. Find a combo that works for your saw. Regular, and 40 or 50 to one would be a place to start.

 

[treeclimber165]

I've never read a manual for a Husky 262, but the saw manuals I have read usually state a MINIMUM octane rating. For example, it will say something like "Use at least 89 octane fuel mixed at 50-1 with (whatever brand the saw is) two-cycle oil. Last time I was in an English class, the words 'AT LEAST' meant that the referenced number was a MINIMUM. Anything above that was OK.

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Do you really use your saw enough for the excess cost of premium to hurt you that bad? Fish will think I am stupid for this but put the premium in. You have a high performance engine, give it high performance fuel.

 

[dbabcock]

Has anyone here ever heard, felt or sensed detonation in a saw? I wonder what the warning signs would be. Can you hear the pinging? For over 12 years I ran 87 regular and Husky, Stihl or Sears oil at 40 or 50:1 in my 266 and never had a problem. It was only after coming to this board that I switched over to premium and Maxima 927 synth/castor, which I'm sure is better for the saw in the long run. Maybe the saw will last another 50 years with this formula.

 

[Fish]

The reason I do not like premium is that it makes
the saw run too cool, I am afraid the ice in the
muffler might scar the piston.

 

[Fish]

With the hot-rodded saws you all use, the compression
may be kicked up enough to where a higher octane
is needed, but for stock saws I think it is not much of
an issue. My main reason for not liking the higher
octane had nothing to do with cost, but all of the crap
they add to the fuel to raise the octane can be hard
on fuel system parts. Otherwise, use what you think is
best.

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Admit it Fish you are just cheap

 

[stihltech]

octane

You would not believe how much better my 009 runs on 90 octane. See, I told you that you would not believe it.
Actually, I have noticed my saws have a better idle and are snappier with the 89 that Stihl recommends.
I think the milage is better too.

Sorry, just in a mood from the rotten weather.

 

[eyolf]

In my state, Oxygenated fuels means ethanol from corn, and many pumps have it. A few stations have one lonely pump labeled for classic cars, small engines, etc. This stuff is high test, no aditives, and costs a lot. But even if it costs 50 cents more a gallon, most of us shouldn't really care. the idea that you can store that gas for more than 20 minutes sure appeals to me, and I have never, ever, burned more than 2 1/2 gallons of premix (in a chainsaw) in a day...and that was quite a day!

50 cents times 2 1/2 equals approximately 1.25. Not even enough for the barmaid to serve you a smile with your cool one. Don't sweat it.

 

[Fish]

I am cheap, you are right!
_________________________________
Because Swedish women are hairier.

 

[DAVID PARSONS]

Is 93 octain gas too high? I wish I could by good 90 or 91 octain fuel without the oxegenating chemicals in it.

 

[treeclimber165]

Originally posted by DAVID PARSONS
Is 93 octain gas too high? I wish I could by good 90 or 91 octain fuel without the oxegenating chemicals in it.

Where do you think the saw manufacturers get their gas when developing and testing these saws? Mars? NO, they use the same gas that is available to their customers! Go to the gas station, buy some gas and put it in the saw! What's the big deal? If the pump gas was so bad, no one would have any running gasoline engines!

This is a non-issue for me. Some of you might get all worked up worrying about what the gas refineries have put in the gas, I leave that up to the saw manufacturers to worry about. If pump gas won't work, then it's a warranty issue. They couldn't sell saws if you had to go to Mars to get the right fuel for it!

 

[Newfie]

Whoa, down boy!!

Although I have to agree, with ya Brian. Unless the gas has something that the manual specifically warns against (like ethanol) it shouldn't be that big a deal. I put 93 in my Huskies w/ no problems, but I've used 87 if thats all I have.

 

[Jumper]

Octane

Generally it is a waste (in cars and trucks)to use high test if the engine manufacturer says use reg or mid grade, and in fact some let you make a choice( just performance will be reduced on Regular because the computer will sense a knock and retard the timing). However if unsure go with premium, as the amount used in a saw or other small engine is hardly going to bankrupt you in terms of increased fuel cost, and it may be easier on the engine in the long run. On the other hand if regular is all that is required, using premium will not hurt the engine.

 

[Stumper]

I have noticed lately that some manufacturers are specifying mid-grade gas in their equip. Literature of 20-30 years ago said that octane rating was of little importance in 2-cycle engines. I don't know that preignition is an issue even now. Lower octane fuels are more volatile. Aircooled engines radiate a lot of heat. In hot weather I have experienced vapor-lock with low octane fuel-even gas boiling in the tank! Higher octane helps prevent this. I buy premium in the summer.
Just to muddle things even more,-I live in a "high altitude" area. Regular is 85 octane, Premium is 90/91 , mid -grade is 87. I am sure that when echo says -"use 89" they mean local midgrade but they don't word it that way. The money for premium is no big deal-just a slight aggravation filling up when regular is what goes in your truck. (By the way lower octane fuels will actually boost your mileage PROVIDED they don't cause preignition.)