Gas for HPDI

[adamsj13]

Who do you guys use? Is AM/PM fuel bad? Ive been using chevron, but Am I really benefiting from it?

[reddog]

Unfortunately I have to admit that we usually stop at the cheapest place and get fuel but I must also admit that when I have put the "chevron, Shell etc." fuels in the boat it did run better as far as smoother idle and better cruising speed/ response on take off. With fuel prices where they are now my choice is to use the brand name fuels. If you're fishing every couple days that can get expensive but repairs are also costly. I spoke with someone who worked at a refinery once and the way they explained it was that AM/PM etc. buy their fuel from the same places but the "add packs" put in the fuel are different. The other option is to buy the less expensive fuel and then buy booster additives from walmart or the like. It actually can be cheaper that way but you have something else to deal with every time you fuel up and you have to figure out how much to put in depending on how much fuel you add to your boat.

[SacRtrain]

Arco is crap gas. They get accused of water in their fuel all the time. I was at the one at auburn Folsom and Douglas right next to Folsom lake and saw proof; a guy walked in while I was waiting In line for chew. He asked for the manager. When he saw her he told her that station was the only place he got fuel in his new Benz on the way home from the dealer and the motor blew up. The Benz dealership said there was water in the fuel and they wouldn't cover it. He happened to be a lawyer and wanted info for suing the gas station. I believe him, he was driving a brand new Porsche and looked like a dick lawyer. I only use chevron. My old XR6 ran better with it, hands down.

[Randy Walker]

I heard the same about many companies buying from the same place but using different additives... I have been using am/pm gas for 7 years in my current boat and years before that with 2 other boats.. Both old and new motors... No motor issues at all. Sure, maybe it smokes a little more?? Would it run smoother with non am/pm gas?? Not sure.. I have never had any major motor issues and I been using from 50 to 400 hours now.. Just my experience. I've heard from many that they would never use that gas.. But I've not had any issues thankfully.
I've also used the am/pm before Folsom several times, no issues luckily.. Good to know there was a potential problem at that location. Then again I guess any brand station could get a bad batch of fuel??

It would be cool if someone that has ripped apart outboards could post about their findings... If say a boater used the same gas everytime...

[Stratos278]

Water in the gas is more likely to be a problem with the individual station, rather than the gas itself. Problem could be caused by several factors, such as old tanks (leaking), pump pickup too close to the bottom of the tank, condensation from the tank walls (from not filling the tanks often enough or full enough), etc.

[Champion Jon]

The only time I got water in my gas was at chevron. I use ARCO/ampm. I also use marine formula stabile, and seafoam in most every tank.

Most gas comes from the same place.....different companies put different additives in the holding tank.

[Mitch]

If your not using a water separator in your fuel line you SHOUD BE !! Water can get into ANY fuel at ANY station. Personally, I try to only use Chevron Mid Range (when possible) and have never had a problem in either a Mercury or Yamaha motors. I would never run without a water separator tho.