Gas for our boats

[MrSkeeter]

I'm sure this has been a topic that many have discussed in the past. Do we use super unleaded, mid-grade or ??!! And ... which BRAND of gas?!

I recently had an interesting discussion with my Merc mechanic and here's what he told me. I thought I'd post here and see what the rest of you think ...

He told me Do NOT USE Chevron because it contains Techroline. Techroline is such an efficient degreaser (excellent for our cars & trucks) that it would reduce your fuel/oil ratio significantly that it may cause harm to your motor.

He also said NEVER USE SUPER UNLEAD ... for similar reasons. All of the gas companies add degreasing products in addition to octane boosters to the super grade fuels.

I was advised to use mid-grade Shell (or Unocal, but avoide methonal based fuels).

What he said made sense to me. But I'm not a chemist, so ... I thought I'd make a post and see if there's any experts out there who would like to share their thoughts.

Thoughts?! Anyone know how effective Techroline is as a degreaser as opposed to the stuff from Shell or Unocal?!

[Skeeterman]

When I bought my boat in 03 from Adams marine they told to use Shell or 76 low grade would be alright I run a zx200.

[Bill K]

My main mechanic and also the booklet, that came with the boat and engine, said any lower grade gasoline (87oct) was what to use. Have never had a fuel problem and have used chevron, Exxon
and Texaco. Do not like Shell(unless they have changed their fomula) as it contains to much sulfur, or did when we could get good gasoline and not this watered down, high price stuff. Thanks
to Calif. CARB. BIll K

[BassinRob]

I don't own a boat, but hopefully soon I will. I would try to contact few of the top motor / boat manufacturers and ask them what they recomend. I bet each one of them will have a slightly different spin on what should be used, but you'll be able to get a lot of info that is consistent amongst them all.

[MN]

Chevron gas quit often since it is the closest station to my house.I have a 2000 200hp evinrude ficht with approx.350 hour's.I have yet to have any problem's what so ever.Like bill stated my owner's manuel just stat's use 87 octane and tc3w oil no specific brand.

[MIKE209]

I use Chevron and Unocal 87 octane on my 225 Ficht along with
the evinrude oil for the ficht motor. no problems
my boat dealer recommened chevron . the oly gas he said
to stay away from was Shell ..funny my Audi dealer said the same
thing

Mike 209

[Rob D]

It's right down the street from my house and open all the time, even at 2am when I'm usually stopping for gas on the way out. Never had a problem, my book says 87 octane but does not specify any brand.

[sTony]

and maybe this one is overthinking. I use Chevron low test gasoline all the time and have never had any gas related problems with my boats and basically don't have motor problems either.

That being said the only other gasoline station I'll frequent is Citgo because they suppport our sport and that's good enough reason for me to use their product.

No matter what gas you use, it seems to me that, gasoline in northern california is all coming from the relatively small group of refineries that we have here. I choose the bigger, newer stations cause I'm always more concerned about the holding tanks and I tend to notice when a station is getting new tanks as well.

sTony

[Dewayne]

I think you have to remember that with the new DFI engines the oil is not mixed with the fuel like in older 2 stroke motors. I could see where a degreasing agent could possibly break down qualities of the oil when mixed with the fuel for very long.

[Rich_Thiel]

95% of the time CITCO. Its down the street from me and easy access. Other boats I've own I used Chevron 89% (Mid grade). I stayed away from Shell because of all the additives.

Has sTony stated about holding tanks. My observation over many years has been that I've seen where Shell digs up tanks more often than other Major Gas Companies. They just dug up quite a few in the last Six(6) months in the Bay-Area.

Both Citgo and Chevron on Vasco Rd get the most busniess from Bass Fisherman. Shell on the South direction seldom get bass boats.

Rich Thiel

[MrSkeeter]

... Both Citgo and Chevron on Vasco Rd get the most busniess from Bass Fisherman. Shell on the South direction seldom get bass boats ... Rich Thiel

Rich,

I suspect that the reason is that the Chevron is on the way in (to the delta) ... I would not expect many people fill up after the fishing day ... at least I hope not.

I've been filling up at the Chevron off Hwy4 near the Break, but I also see quite a few boats fill up at the Shell across the street too!

Interesting about the comments on Chevron .... I've been using mostly mid-grade Chevron, but have recently switch (last 2-3 trips) to Shell since the mechanic made those statements. Seems like there are opposite opinions out there concerning Shell & Chevron.

Concerning the topic of refinaries, I agree that most of the gas we all use come from one or two refinaries locally. That's really not the issue of the base gas is from. The issues concerns the additives that each company put into their gas ... is one better (better degreasing) than the other?!

I'm not a real old timer, but have been using Chevron whenerver I can and Shell/Unocal whenever Chevron is not available. I've been using mid-grade throughout ... but I've never own a Optimax, HDPI or a Ficht either. My experience is with Merc carburated, XRi and EFI motors. I've really never had any problems with my motors either. But I found it interesting for my mechanic to make such a recommendations ... That's why I thought I'd go public and see what others have experienced!!

[Jeff Jewell]

Ok Guys, we have discussed this many times on this board before. Stony makes the best argument for one brand over another! Citgo supports the sport.
That being said, ALL the gas in CAlifornia is CARB phase 3 gasoline. It's all the same, there are 5 refineries in Nor Cal, Chevron in Richmond, Phillips-Conoco in Rodeo, Shell and Tesoro in MArtinez and Valero in Benicia. They all use the Kinder-Morgan pipeline to transport most of there gas to terminals where a few drops of "additives" are added. Pro-Power, techroline, Detergent gasoline, it's all mostly marketing. Ethanol is in ALL the gasoline in California, Fed EPA made sure of it. (support midwest farmers).
What we need to know is that ethanol is water attractant so you really should fill up on the way to the lake, don't let your boat sit to long and try to use a busy station that has alot of turnover.

[mark poulson]

Am I right to assume that 4stoke engines can run on the same stuff car engines run on, since the oil isn't combined with the gas?

[Tom K.]

Tower Energy contracts gasoline for Citco(7-11) and they have
accounts at all the loading terminals that supply gasoline. So if
Shell has the better rack price that day you can be filling your boat
up with Shell gas, but with a generic additive instead of a Shell
branded additive. If you go to the 5 branded stations plus Arco
that Jeff mention you get their additive, but any other gas station you can be getting anyone of the 6 companies gasoline.

[Johnny C]

I have had Mercs since 1976 on my boats..If you have a problem the first thing they ask is about is the gas..Then are you using Merc oil...It has been this way forever it seems..With my current boat I use Chevron mid grade all the time...No problems..(knock on wood)..And the busy station theory I believe is right...I use there oil (Premium), not the plus. I figure if they make it , it should work..I run a 200EFI...Last time the mechanic started his speach I TOLD HIM TO SAVE IT FOR SUNDAY..Man these guys can really scare a new owner.