AV vs Marine Fuel

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Prof

Minister of Fire
Oct 18, 2011
715
Western PA
So I have fairly easy sources of both Marine and AV fuel. Both are ethanol free. The AV fuel has lead. So I was wondering what people thought with regard to using these in small engines, particularly chainsaws. how long does Marine Fuel last--does it need stabilizer? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 
Most 2 cycle oils have fuel stabilizers in them.

Marine if you can.
The leaded stuff , well it puts lead in the air & you breath it ;)

How long it last? Depends a lot on the container. Plastic jug, maybe a year.
A good air tight metal gas can, full will last several years.

If yo don't use much, mix smaller amounts.
I do 1 gallon jugs,1 in use, 1 in reserve.
When 1 gets empty, I fill & mix it next time by the gas station.
Keep them sealed good, cool & out of the sun.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ralphie Boy
Thanks for the tips--definitely leaning towards Marine. I probably got enough lead eating paint chips as a kid anyway!
 
Another vote for marine. This topic comes up again and again. 100LL has a lot of lead, much much more than leaded auto gas ever did. These is movement to ban it even in aviation for this reason.
 
I run the marine fuel as well. Dave is spot on with storage advice. I mix 5gal at a time, & usually use it up in a few weeks time, but it keeps well in the cool. I'm finally back to cutting steady here, & have gas from December that I'm running just fine. A C
 
100LL has lead but darn little of it. The LL stands for Low Lead. 1.2 to 2.0 grams per gallon. But any is just asking for deposits and fouled plugs in engines that weren't designed for leaded fuel. Lead primarily protects valves. Chainsaw don't have no stinkin valves.
 
One might argue against 100LL based on health or environmental concerns (as specious and unfounded as those arguments are), but not based on performance. It runs awesome, it doesn't gum up unattended carbs, it has an unrivaled shelf life, it's super consistent. . .
 
100LL has lead but darn little of it. The LL stands for Low Lead. 1.2 to 2.0 grams per gallon. But any is just asking for deposits and fouled plugs in engines that weren't designed for leaded fuel. Lead primarily protects valves. Chainsaw don't have no stinkin valves.

+1
has oil too, hopefully ;)
 
My vote is for marine fuel or G100. Around here there are a few stations making a killing selling ethanol free gas for about $4.69/gal.

100LL is for the tractor without hardened valve seats and early T head Gravely tractors that have sticky valve issues.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.