renpeg wrote:Always should use gas stabilizer If your not using up the gas withing a week especially with the ethanol mixed in the gas.
That's right - always.
renpeg wrote:As for oil gas mixture. I have a few buddies that work on small engines for a living. they all recommend about a 40-1 mixture. Your going to smoke a lil more and might have to clean or replace the plugs a lil more often. But in the long run your protecting and lubing your 2 stroke a lot better. makes it last longer. Also they recommend high octane fuel which will help burn the extra oil but also stores better than low octane fuel. (I know alot of high end chainsaw also recommend this.)
This might be good advice for air cooled engines, but it is
bad advice for water cooled engines. All 2-strokes are not created equal, and lumping them all together with generic recommendations for fuel and oil mix is
wrong.
Do not use premium fuel in your water cooled 2-stroke
boat motor unless it was designed to run on it. Higher octane fuels burn slower and cooler, that's why they're used in high compression engines. Slower and cooler burn rates in low compression 2-stroke engines results in a loss of performance, increased carbon build up, and more expensive exhaust. You gain
nothing by using higher octane fuel and may very well add to problems. Spend the money you save by using proper octane fuel on a good fuel stabilizer, fresh plugs and an impeller at the recommended interval.
Always use good quality marine 2-stroke oil (I prefer motor mfr brand) for your engine.
Always use fresh fuel in the proper octane rating when mixing. Use the ratio provided by the engine maker, they have already determined the correct ratio for long life and proper lubrication for your 2-stroke motor.
I get my facts from a 36yr dual certified Mercury Marine Master mechanic who knows a whole lot more about
boat motors than a couple guys playing with lawnmowers and chain saws.
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