what can anyone tell me about running av-gas in a 400 scrambler or 400 explorer? please give me any information or pointers-good or bad. thanks.

 

scramblinman,

Hit the Honda area and look for a recent post from TreeFarmer called "Octane Revisited (or something like that). There was extensive discussion in there about av-gas, and also a web site address that discussed av-gas.

Take your boots, the bull **** runs pretty deep in that post!

DJ

 

Why do you want to run AV-gas? Are you doing extensive mods or what?

 

I run Supreme Unleaded in my New Banshee, works good so far.

 

The thread in the Honda forum is a good place to go for more information.

AVGas is expensive (well over 2.50 a gallon at LAX, 4.25!) It also is designed for low rpm situations.

An small aircraft engine is usually good for 3000 rpm. It's been a couple years since I actually looked a Cessna, but they run hot on the ground. AV-Gas is stable at any altitude and temp.

AV-Gas also contains a fire retardant not normally found in regualr or premium fuel. I know there are people who run it in their engines and swear by it. BUT, it is NOT the basis for racing fuel, it is not designed for anything other than aircraft engines. If you want race fuel, buy race fuel.

The additives that are found in auto gas are not present in AV-Gas. In fact, the two Pratt and Whitney mechanics I spoke with this afternoon told me that most cars won't pass emissions tests burning AV-Gas.

I'm not going to tell anyone what to do or what not to do, but be aware they do not sell AV-gas anywhere other than the airport fuel truck. There are no pumps at your local airfield, and further it is a violation of FAA regs blah, blah blah, to sell Avation Fuel in a gas can. Your quad isn't designed for AV-Gas.

The only aircraft product I use on my quad is Boeing Silicone Grease. Seeing as the airline bought new Airbus', I'm going to have to switch to what I get free.

If you have any other AV-Gas related questions, I can attempt to corral a rep from an engine manufacturer or a mechanic at one of our maintence hubs for better answers.

Best Wishes,

Jack

 

Well, they sell it at the pump in my city (Lake Havasu City, AZ). I've seen it at the pump at other cities too. I use it in my HD motorcycle, in the summer, and the bike really runs cooler in the *heat* we get around here (110+). YMMV.

-Mike Lynch

 

Mike,

I'm not quite sure why your bike would run cooler with avation gas. It has a stabilizing agent to keep it constant no matter what the external temp. Ambient heat on the ground is almost meaningless to any avation fuel. It also is designed for low RPM situations. High torque, low RPM. If it works for you, great. I'm happy for you. But everyone should know what they are really putting in their tank.

I am sure that any avation fuel is only sold at airports. I'm all my travels, I have yet to come across a pump at a gas station selling ANY avation fuel. I will eat my hat if there are stations, but it's not like 5 gallons would do any aircraft owner any good.

If you have good luck with it, by all means keep using it. But, it is not the best product for your ground based vehicle. IF you want race fuel, buy race fuel. It has the additives your engine was designed to use. MOST people don't need fire retardant in their quad gas.

B/W,

Jack

 

Mike,

I'm not quite sure why your bike would run cooler with avation gas. It has a stabilizing agent to keep it constant no matter what the external temp. Ambient heat on the ground is almost meaningless to any avation fuel. It also is designed for low RPM situations. High torque, low RPM. If it works for you, great. I'm happy for you. But everyone should know what they are really putting in their tank.

I am sure that any avation fuel is only sold at airports. I'm all my travels, I have yet to come across a pump at a gas station selling ANY avation fuel. I will eat my hat if there are stations, but it's not like 5 gallons would do any aircraft owner any good.

If you have good luck with it, by all means keep using it. But, it is not the best product for your ground based vehicle. IF you want race fuel, buy race fuel. It has the additives your engine was designed to use. MOST people don't need fire retardant in their quad gas.

B/W,

Jack

 

thank you all for the input! i was just wondering if there would be any performance gains by running av-gas in my scrambler. sounds like unless i am experiencing a detonation problem, there is not really any advantage with that high an octane rating.

 

The higher octane of the AV-Gas is what helps my HD. Plus, the engine does indeed run at low RPMs, comparatively speaking. In any event, when the temp. is over 110, even super unleaded gas isn't enough to stop the pinging under load. This is a full dresser--air cooled and fuel infected--so we're talking massive heat build-up here (it's a TC88). However, when running AV-Gas, the engine runs like a champ--never a ping at all (and the oil temp. is lower too). OTOH, I've never really considered running AV-Gas in my ATV, and that's what's probably more relevant here.

As far as the gas being available at the pump, I can assure you it is (and I do not mean at the airport). To prove it, I'll take a picture of the pump and station, and put it on my photo page, in the ATV album:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=34365

(And it ain't cheap!)


-Mike