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  #1  
Old 10-31-2013, 01:29 PM
JRo JRo is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Poestenkill, NY (near Albany)
Posts: 126
Default ethanol-free high test gas

A couple of local gas stations have begun carrying ethynol-free high test gas. Seems like a good choice to me for the Rotax 912. Any thoughts?
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  #2  
Old 10-31-2013, 01:46 PM
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Mike S Mike S is offline
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Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
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IMHO, any engine is better off with ethanol free fuel-----not just Rotax.
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VAF 909

Rv-10, N210LM.

Flying as of 12/4/2010

Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011

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  #3  
Old 10-31-2013, 03:25 PM
todehnal todehnal is offline
 
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Location: Kentucky Lakes area in KY
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I just bought some ethanol free high test as well, but I am not sure that I will use it. I am in Kentucky, the high test ethanol free is only 91 octane, whereas the 10% stuff is 93. Be careful what you buy!! Tom
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  #4  
Old 10-31-2013, 03:46 PM
NYTOM NYTOM is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Posts: 1,128
Default Ethanol free if possible

Here in upstate NY one supplier just started advertising Ethanol free premium. Most times there's a line to get gas. Ethanol is destroying engines at a alarming rate. In Massachusetts their ramping up to 15% Ethanol. Ethanol even destroys the equipment that delivers it. If it wasn't for the government subsidy on every gallon and the group that thinks their saving the world by burning up our food for fuel this would never have become a problem. Try a tankful in your car. You'll be surprised at the added MPG.
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Classic "Short Tail 6A N822PM
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  #5  
Old 10-31-2013, 04:10 PM
sandpiper sandpiper is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Independence, OR
Posts: 316
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Quote:
Originally Posted by todehnal View Post
I just bought some ethanol free high test as well, but I am not sure that I will use it. I am in Kentucky, the high test ethanol free is only 91 octane, whereas the 10% stuff is 93. Be careful what you buy!! Tom
If I am not mistaken, Rotax specifies a minimum of 91 octane for our 100 HP engines. Check SI-912-016R6.
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John Horn (donated for 2020)
Independence, OR
LSRM-A, CFII
Rotax Service, Maintenance, and Heavy Maintenance Trained
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  #6  
Old 10-31-2013, 04:58 PM
cactusman cactusman is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 421
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sandpiper View Post
If I am not mistaken, Rotax specifies a minimum of 91 octane for our 100 HP engines. Check SI-912-016R6.
So here is a question, Love's and a few other stations near me, sell 100 (and I have seen 110 and 114 as well) E0 Racing fuel for the local racetracks.

Since 100LL is "legal", is 100 E0 Racing Fuel "better" or "safer" than 93 E10 available at most regular stations?

Fresher is probably better I agree, but I have seen some knocks against Costco and some others for so-called additives that may be harmful, yet clean, so they have fresh and stable going for them....???
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  #7  
Old 10-31-2013, 05:41 PM
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Bill_H Bill_H is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Marshall TX (KASL)
Posts: 1,783
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Ive run 91 octane, no-ethanol since first start, no issues. I would not hesitate to run ethanol in it though, but I can get the no-ethanol locally. I get it 10 gallons at a time and put i in a 15 gallon fueler with crank pump. I run it through a Mr Funnel when putting it into the fueler. Ive never gotten more than a drop of water out of the gascolator drain.
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  #8  
Old 10-31-2013, 05:53 PM
todehnal todehnal is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kentucky Lakes area in KY
Posts: 947
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You guys are correct. The Rotax SI states 91. I was going by the POH from Van's, which says 92 minimum. Ethanol free 91 is available here, and I will start using it. Thanks.

Tom
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1989- RV-6 tail kit, built and sold
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  #9  
Old 10-31-2013, 06:12 PM
BobTurner BobTurner is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Livermore, CA
Posts: 6,797
Default caution

As always in these discussions, please remember that "octane" is measured in different ways by different people.
AvGas is measured by "motor octane"
car gas is measured by the average of motor octane and "research octane" (R+M/2)
Typical 91 car gas comes in at 87 motor octane.
Typical 100 octane car as is not the same as 100LL; it's about 96 motor octane.

Hopefully Rotax specifies 91 "car gas" or equivalent.
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  #10  
Old 10-31-2013, 06:16 PM
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Bill_H Bill_H is offline
 
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Location: Marshall TX (KASL)
Posts: 1,783
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Thats a well-known typo in the Vans manual.
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