So, my engine's manufacturer (Mercury) recommends that I not use ethanol or methanol blends in my boat. Anyone know which brands are most likely to be safe? When I ask the person behind the counter at the local gas n' go, I get a blank stare. I used to try to stick with Texaco, but now they've mostly left the area after selling to shell, and I thought I read somewhere that Shell was one of the bad ones.

After having trouble with gas through the years, I too talked to as many Marine Mechanics as possible. Now the only gas I will put in my sled is Chevron. Medium grade or premium only. They say that the shelf life of gas is down to about 45 days. By using the higher octane it will help keep it stable longer.

I agree with jim, I will also use only chevron 92 octane gas and have never had a problem with any (3) of my boats. Also try to fill up a stations that are busy as they go through more fuel.

I do believe if the station is selling gas with any of the ...anols, the pumps have to have a sticker stating so on the outside.

Stick with Chevron. Sorry to see Texaco go.

I believe back in the 50's they said not to use Shell products in outboard motors. I would have thought that problem would have been corrected long before now. Texaco is Shell, and Chevron owns Texaco, so I believe we are at the mercy of the oil giants to hopefully sell us a product that will not damage a two stroke engine.

From what I can gather off the Texaco.com question and answers section, both Chevron and Shell will be allowed to sell gasoline using the Texaco brand name. I guess it's out of my control, if she breaks down she'll be in the shop at three Rivers Marine for awhile!

So hurry up and blow up that Merc and get a Yamaha 4 stroke - I try to run mine on premium gas but really it will run on horse pi$$ or

My friend who has worked for the oil companies for 25 years told me this story. Believe it or not, It all comes out of the same pipe Thats right chevron, texaco, am/pm, union 76 or shell its all the same gas. Even the different octane grades start out as the same gas. there are really only two differences between them all. The marketing and an additive which may contain a fuel conditioner such as chevron's techroline is blended in, usually between the under ground tank and the pump, to boost the octane rating and stabilize the fuel. Usually the difference between the grades is the amount of this additive. Knowing this, I have always run the cheapest gas in my truck. This fuel injected Chevy 350 now has over 250,000 miles on it. Most of them towing my boats or other stuff. I have never had a problem with the engine or the fuel system other than the fuel tank which I had to replace last month. In my boat, I pay for the premium grade because of the length of time that the gas may be in the tank. The biggest thing you can do fo your boat fuel is to install a marine fuel seperator and keep the tanks full when your not using the boat (To limit the condensation) I usually fill up when I'm done fishing. If I wasn't going to use the boat for a month or so I would add an aftermarket fuel stabilizer. I'll ask him about the ethanol thing but the way I understand it, it is in all the gas during certain times of the year. Disclosed or not.

A very good mechanic I know told me that the Chevron additive Techron really does keep fuel injectors clean. Since I have one of the most complicated outboard motors on the water, the Mercury Optimax 225, I should pay attention to that advise but it was directed at one of my cars and not the outboard. Most of the gas does come from the same place and most gas in this area has ethanol (alcohol) added. I will be filling the boat at Costco tomorrow morning with regular unleaded with ethanol...I think the motor will run just fine with it. I am more concerned about the oil than the gas. I do have a fuel separator filter.

Be careful with fuel stabilizers...My 115 Yamaha 4 stroke fouled because of the stabilizer, placed in the gas 2 weeks prior to using the boat (I couldn't let that boat just SIT THERE!) I was fortunate to limp back on one cylinder, mechanic says has been commonly seen....

Kurt

i agree with woolly bully, its all the same. i have read that and seen it , its all the same but they do put in different additives in it. i have had my yamaha 115 jet drive for 12 years now,always ran premium and i have never added any stabilizer to it. i always run chevron, i have never touch my motor except plugs and filters. i run chevron in my trucks and rv and have never had a fuel injection problem in over 300,000 miles??? maybe just dumb luck..

I run 89 octane in everything. They way I look at it as far as my boat motor goes.....

All high end vehicles recommended gasoline for premium operation conditions is 89 octane. There isn't a motor made that has a recommend octane of 92, just another way to get your money. I bought a my auto 6 months ago and the owners manual says that running 92 will cause knocking and isn't good for my motor As a matter of fact it says to use 87 over 92. . This is a new car with the first 'tune up' at 100K. 6 cylinder and 255 ponies So the way I look at it is, If it's good enough for my vehicle, which I put a lot more where and tear on than it's good enough for my boat motor.

I always go with Chevron.