Mercury question for BOB and anyone else.

[Bob Orlando]

The non-ethanol gas available in this area is all over 87 octane. I have heard various nightmare stories about using high octane gas in outboards. My question is how true is this? My motor is a 40 HP EFI Merc.



Thanks all.......

 

[Bob Bourget2]

Your motor is designed to run on 87. Save your money. The higher octane fuel "now-a-days" do not have any extra cleaning agents than the base fuels. The most probable story that you hear is higher octane fuels are prone to be more "carbon build-up" producing than the lower octanes. While that might be true to a certain extent, the percentage of that build-up is generally VERY low. The conventional carbed motors, efi's and 4-strokes are more tolerable to it than the opti's....

 

[Bob Orlando]

Thanks Bob. Here is my situation though. In Oregon, I only have two fuel choices. One is 87 octane e-10 and the other is premium non-ethanol.



Disregarding the cost as a factor, which would I be better off using? Oregon only allows for the distribution of high octane non-ethanol gas.



Thanks again

 

[Bob Bourget2]

If you can get a steady supply of the "good" stuff, use it. A dose of Sea-Foam now and again would be a good idea to keep things clean.

 

[Bob Orlando]

I really appreciate your clarification on this. I don't know anything about "seafoam" but i'll certainly do some reading up on it. I'm excited to have a new "Merc" as the motor on my old boat was quite a disappointment considering all the hype the brand got. Live and learn I guess.



Anyway, thanks again for clearing that up for me. I know your input is helping a lot of us.

 

[Bob Bourget2]

Glad to help....