Aviation Fuel

[wmmulvey]

Read in another sailing site this question.

Can I use ethanol free 100 octane aviation fuel in my engine?

What are all your thoughts to that question on a A-4.



TIA

Bill

[Baltimore Sailor]

Sure. It's overkill on the octane, but it won't hurt anything. The octane rating of gas just tells you its resistance to pre-ignition (knocking and pinging). Otherwise the gas is exactly the same.

[domenic]

Yes. Aviation gas does not contain ethonal. Airports are not allowed to sell it to anyone without an airplane. Gas compaines won't let them.

[joe_db]

I use 100 octane avgas in the winter when the gas will sit. I don't bother during the rest of the year.
It is NOT exactly the same as auto fuel. It has no ethanol and a lower vapor pressure besides for having lead. It is dyed blue and does not have the "stink perfume" additive either.

[H3LlIoN]

Yes. Aviation gas does not contain ethonal. Airports are not allowed to sell it to anyone without an airplane. Gas compaines won't let them.

The trick is to just show up with a gas can and tell them you have an ultralight. I've never had this fail at smaller airports. I usually run it in a dirtbike. Just know that 100LL has a higher lead content than the normal pump gas you are used to, which can lead to fouling over time.

[Laker]

Your Atomic 4 will love avgas. Avoid Ethanol , it is subsidized garbage.

[sastanley]

Keep in mind the Atomic 4 was designed back in the days of leaded fuel. I am almost certain that is why we use MMO in the gas, as a lead substitute, and I also believe that is why the valves are prone to sticking these days..they want that lead!

+1 what Laker said. I wonder if all the farmers that are being paid to grow corn for the ethanol lobby use it in their own equipment???....I doubt it.

[joe_db]

I just use the self-serv

The trick is to just show up with a gas can and tell them you have an ultralight. I've never had this fail at smaller airports. I usually run it in a dirtbike. Just know that 100LL has a higher lead content than the normal pump gas you are used to, which can lead to fouling over time.

[Laker]

Good tip , Joe. Most small airports have self serve pumps ; I have used them many times in hole-in-wall airports in central Fla , Georgia and the like. If there is a law prohibiting filling a can I am unaware of it.

My Chrysler 318 in my surf van , the 305 in my power boat and my Atomic 4 are all humming happily sans corn juice.

[Baltimore Sailor]

I had a 1989 Dodge Ram Van with the 318 in it. I racked up 209,000 miles on her before the fiberglass roof cracked and started letting rain in. The van sat on my property for about two years with nobody interested in buying it for a restoration before I gave it away to Catholic Charities.

Two years without being started. Old gas in the tank.

Put a new battery in her and she started within five seconds. I love the Mopar 318 V-8.

[Don Moyer]

Hear, Hear!! Those engines were practically indestructible.

Don

[Gordo]

Put me down as another HUGE fan of the 318. I put 305K on an extended van that started life as a family conversion camper and ended (the last 105K) as a Tile van. 3 tranys, untold starters and alternators, brakes yearly...but that motor just went and went!!

Reminds me of the A4

[Will Jacocks]

You should still be able to buy standard grade non ethanal gasoline. There are several stores in my area that sell non ethanol gas. One only sells this, there is another store that sells both and charges about 6 cents a gallon more for the non ethanol gas. If shipping wasn't too bad I would ship it to you guys.

[prstack7]

Would corner gas station premium gas (non-ethanol) be fine for the A4? Would it be better than dock gas at the marina?

[Mo]

Non ethenol for sure but I don't use premium. It will work but I use regular...no ethenol.