Re: Ethanol causing lower RPM @ WOT?
Here in MN there are a few gas stations in each county permitted to sell ethanol-free gasoline and the octanes are usually in the low 90s (at least at the several I called on the phone).
My mechanic said to definitely use it for my 1968 Lightwin. He said he uses it in all his two-cycle engines, even the modern ones. He says the higher octane won't hurt them and the absence of ethanol is good. He said today's fuel systems, by the way, are ethanol-resistant, not ethanol-proof.
Based on what he said about this problem (and ethanol is only a part of the problem) I'm going to run all my two-cycles dry this fall and throw the old mixed gas away so as to start with non-ethanol gas fresh from the pump in the spring for a fresh mix.
He also said to avoid mixing up more than what you'll use in a few weeks and never use old gas.
If you do all this faithfully, you'll avoid most of the common two-cycle problems.
I got the impression that those who run four-cycle engines probably don't have to be so concerned about these things although it's always wise to use fresh gas, never old gas.
Here in MN there are a few gas stations in each county permitted to sell ethanol-free gasoline and the octanes are usually in the low 90s (at least at the several I called on the phone).
My mechanic said to definitely use it for my 1968 Lightwin. He said he uses it in all his two-cycle engines, even the modern ones. He says the higher octane won't hurt them and the absence of ethanol is good. He said today's fuel systems, by the way, are ethanol-resistant, not ethanol-proof.
Based on what he said about this problem (and ethanol is only a part of the problem) I'm going to run all my two-cycles dry this fall and throw the old mixed gas away so as to start with non-ethanol gas fresh from the pump in the spring for a fresh mix.
He also said to avoid mixing up more than what you'll use in a few weeks and never use old gas.
If you do all this faithfully, you'll avoid most of the common two-cycle problems.
I got the impression that those who run four-cycle engines probably don't have to be so concerned about these things although it's always wise to use fresh gas, never old gas.