High Octane Fuel

[Biergarden]

How important is it to run high octane fuel in volvo penta engines? I seem to be getting some mixed information on the subject and I'd just like to be more clear since I've bought a new 4.3L Gxi motor in this week and I don't want to mess up my new toy

 

[Don S]

Re: High Octane Fuel

Look in your owners manual. It tells you what to use.

Oh, and use nothing but Shell gas, anything else will destroy the engine.

 

[Biergarden]

Re: High Octane Fuel

Like I can get Shell gas here lol. Thanks. I'll check the manual once I get it.

 

[doberacker]

Re: High Octane Fuel

LOL.. only Shell gas. Thats good.... LOL... I've commercially fished a small 38' boat on West Coast for crab with a Volvo Penta, and ran every type of fuel on market, and some that had more water than gas (just kidding), and the engine gave me 3 years of HARD OCEAN USE, with no problems. Volvo Penta has my vote as one great engine and outdrive setup. Maybe I just got lucky with mine? Don't know, but higher octane for SURE would be better.... My buddy who I sold the engine to put it on a Fresh Water Lake (Shasta Lake, CA) on a houseboat, and that same engine still running great! 7 years later.... He runs Shell gas though??? LOL

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: High Octane Fuel

Issues arising from using a lower octane then recommended vary from lack of performance to lack of pistons. Issue arising from using a higher octane then recommended is lack of money. Stick with what the owners manual recommends.


BTW, I hear Mobil gasoline can be substituted for Shell in an emergency situation...

 

[Don S]

Re: High Octane Fuel

LOL.. only Shell gas. Thats good.... LOL...

There is no Shell gas in Ketchikan, and Ketchikan is on an island.

 

[bigbadbowtie]

Re: High Octane Fuel

I had a long drawn typed out response about octane a burn rates but deleted it. As Don stated, check your manual and if its states 87, by all means run it. Anything else is just a waste of money.

 

[Don S]

Re: High Octane Fuel

Here is an Owners Manual for the 2011 model 4.3GXi-Q

http://vppneuapps.volvo.com/ww/PIE/...403&d=Owners Publication&s=1521808&lang=en-GB

manual page 101 gives fuel information.

 

[Snobike Mike]

Re: High Octane Fuel

The only reason I run Premium is around here it has no ethanol whereas all other grades do have ethanol.