2019-20 PW Octane Recommendation

[Potvinsux]

I know this was asked many times but what octane is actually recommended for the 19-20 PW with new 8 speed? What does it actually say in the manual?

I see other threads of older models as well as what owners like to use. But what is actually recommended?

Thanks for the feedback

 

[olyelr]

 

[Grand Mesa]

Use 89 Octane.

In some parts of the country as within the "Mountain States" it's not worth discussing. 89 Octane is not available here, anywhere. Best to prepare for a long walk when you're at a remote gas pump to fill the tank and all that's available is 85 Octane (not E-85). Diesel and 85 Octane gasoline is all that's sold locally.

 

[Potvinsux]

View attachment 194376

Thanks for this. Exactly what I was looking for.

 

[ALRedneck]

Use 89 Octane.

In some parts of the country as within the "Mountain States" it's not worth discussing. 89 Octane is not available here, anywhere. Best to prepare for a long walk when you're at a remote gas pump to fill the tank and all that's available is 85 Octane (not E-85). Diesel and 85 Octane gasoline is all that's sold locally.

Do you run the 85 straight or add octane boost?

 

[Grand Mesa]

Do you run the 85 straight or add octane boost?

I run 87. I don't fill up locally, but some 27 miles away. The local station here charges $1.24 per gallon more than further away for the 85 regular. It's 1 hour and 6 minutes round trip to the 87 octane. Never have I used 85 in it yet. I keep two (5) gallon cans of 87 around just in case I get low. Used one of them already. Needed 20 gallons of regular for my 54" mower last summer. Hated paying nearly $25 more for my gas, but I had several acres to mow and didn't want to waste an hour of my day and nearly 4 gallons of fuel driving.

Oh, on my vintage boat's V8 which requires 100 octane premium fuel on Blue Mesa Reservoir all they have is 85 Octane gasoline. At 7,500 elevation it doesn't ping on it, but ran fine. Filled her up with 26 gallons, but at some 4 MPG it goes fast. No emissions on my boat's high performance engine due to none were required back in the 1970's.

 

[ALRedneck]

I run 87. I don't fill up locally, but some 27 miles away. The local station here charges $1.24 per gallon more than further away for the 85 regular. It's 1 hour and 6 minutes round trip to the 87 octane. Never have I used 85 in it yet. I keep two (5) gallon cans of 87 around just in case I get low. Used one of them already. Needed 20 gallons of regular for my 54" mower last summer. Hated paying nearly $25 more for my gas, but I had several acres to mow and didn't want to waste an hour of my day and nearly 4 gallons of fuel driving.

Oh, on my vintage boat's V8 which requires 100 octane premium fuel on Blue Mesa Reservoir all they have is 85 Octane gasoline. At 7,500 elevation it doesn't ping on it, but ran fine. Filled her up with 26 gallons, but at some 4 MPG it goes fast. No emissions on my boat's high performance engine due to none were required back in the 1970's.

That sounds like a pain to go that far for gas but sure the payoff is living in the mountains without neighbors. 4MPG isn’t bad for a v8 inboard. Usually measure those boats in GPM! I run 93 in my Mercury Verdado 150. It’s rated for 87 but it’s important to run nonethanol in it so that’s usually 93. The humidity is so high that ethanol attracts water before I can burn the tank empty. My 150 gets 4 MPG(2 MPG if wide open in the turbo) so you’re doing great with your boat.

 

[Grand Mesa]

That sounds like a pain to go that far for gas but sure the payoff is living in the mountains without neighbors. 4MPG isn’t bad for a v8 inboard. Usually measure those boats in GPM! I run 93 in my Mercury Verdado 150. It’s rated for 87 but it’s important to run nonethanol in it so that’s usually 93. The humidity is so high that ethanol attracts water before I can burn the tank empty. My 150 gets 4 MPG(2 MPG if wide open in the turbo) so you’re doing great with your boat.

https://fox13now.com/2019/06/12/record-setting-48-inch-trout-caught-at-flaming-gorge/

The Power Wagon is capable of carrying the 4 feet long lake trout of Flaming Gorge.

Per Mercruiser these older boats required 91 Octane fuel per the attachment. 95 octane is acceptable. I have the original 1970's purchase documents and sales brochures to my 898 inboard/outboard somewhere safe in my boxes. Still 91 octane is our premium fuel. 100 octane minimum was when there was the leaded gas.

http://www.mercurymarine.staging.ya...ance/fuel-oil-recommendations-mercruiser.aspx