Octane problems for fishing tomorrow!!

[walkingfish]

Hi,<br />I'm kind of desperate here so any advice would be appreciated with enthusiasm.<br /><br />I live in New Zealand and we dont have the gases that get mentioned on this board, in fact the octane levels normally quoted dont seem relevent at all <br /><br />I have an '89 125Hp Force and need to know what to put in the tank (octane wise)<br /><br />We have in N.Z. either 91 or 96 octane (however they measure that?)<br /><br />Most new cars run on the 91 (cleaner) but what should my outboard run on??<br /><br />Is there pros and cons in the realm of octane eg. higher octane = more Hp less engine life<br /><br />I dont have a clue and i want to go fishing tomorrow, and only want whats best for the motor.<br /><br />Give us a hand,<br />Thanks<br />W'Fish

 

[fishthebay]

Re: Octane problems for fishing tomorrow!!

THe manuel recommends a minimum of 87 octane, so I would go with the 91 where you live in NZ. <br /><br />Good luck fishing.

 

[lonewolf5347]

Re: Octane problems for fishing tomorrow!!

OUR REGULAR IS 87 OCTANE .I HAVE A FORCE 120HP. AND I USE HIGH TEST GAS WHICH IS 89 OCTAIN GAS,ALSO ON THE FORCE YOU SHOULD HAVE INSTALLED A WATER SEPERRATOR FILTER BEFORE THE ENGINE

 

[12Footer]

Re: Octane problems for fishing tomorrow!!

Walkingfish, it isn't NZ's octane ratings that are throwing you off, it is ours. Due to the different level of environmental concern from state-to-state, we have many states where the fuel must be "re-formulated" (a sinister way of saying RE-REFINED). This is to be in compliance with insane emission standards,made by well-meaning, insane people. So in Florida, we have three grades...87,89,and 93 octane.<br />There are, of course, the vegi-fuels,or "ALCOHOL ENHANCED" fuels,they mix moonshine into. Moonshine is something my daddy used to drink, but my outboard can't handle it.<br />Now, in Michigan,they have to take the refined fuel,and re-refine it to meet local requirements. It is no wonder,fuel here in Florida costs 1.61 per gall 93octane this week,and Michigan is 1.90 for compareable fuel....Just a guess here culled from the news reports,as I don't live there..Someone correct me if I am off??<br />Anyhoo, you Force was designed to run on cheaper regular NO ALCOHOL fuel. If you get a "pinging" ,then add a can of octane booster to the existing gas, and go up one grade on your next tankfull. You will be fine.

 

[my new fishmaster]

Re: Octane problems for fishing tomorrow!!

In Utah we have regular unleaded which is 85 octane now can anyone tell me a car engine that uses such a low number. I mix the unleaded with silver grade which is 91 and make my custom blend.

 

[kansasmike]

Re: Octane problems for fishing tomorrow!!

fishmaster,<br /><br />I always thought that low octane levels in the mountain states had something to do with your altitude. We have 87,89,91 in Kansas but I've seen 85,87,89,91,and 92 at a the same Wyoming station!! Decisions, decisions!<br />Mike<br /><br />

 

[walkingfish]

Re: Octane problems for fishing tomorrow!!

Thanks all,<br />I'm going to use the 91 octane.<br />Just woke up and theres been a big frost, which means, No wind and flat waters, yeaa!!<br /><br />The fishings on me!<br /><br />Hope to have plenty of fish in the freezer.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />W'Fish

 

[rbruce63]

Re: Octane problems for fishing tomorrow!!

Walkingfish:<br />High test fuel takes "longer" to ignite. Stick to lower octane fuel and have the motor timing checked to prevent preignition or detonation.<br /><br />In Costa Rica we have 85 octane RON and 95 octane RON with MTBE. For outboards we rather use 85 octane.

 

[JB]

Re: Octane problems for fishing tomorrow!!

Howdy, Walkingfish.<br /><br />"Octane" is calculated differently here than in the rest of the world.<br /><br />What we call 87 octane, unleaded regular, is 91 octane anywhere else in the world, including New Zealand.<br /><br />91 will do just fine.<br /><br />Good fishing.

 

[ob]

Re: Octane problems for fishing tomorrow!!

I wonder if walkingfish is still there?His last post on this topic was Sept 2001.In any case,good advice has been given and will provide info for anyone with a similar question.

 

[walkingfish]

Re: Octane problems for fishing tomorrow!!

Hi all,<br /><br />Im still around, and still boatin'<br />I've been a regular reader over all this time, and the advice given is priceless!<br /><br />I still have my Bayliner/Force 125Hp combo, and having performed all the regular mainto jobs advised on this board, it has yet to miss a beat.<br /><br />And thanks to those who replied to this topic on octane - using this info i have been using New Zealand 91 Octane all this time and believe its the gas to use in NZ for older outboards.<br /><br />Thanks to all !<br />Brad