Aviation gas, 100LL in OPE?

[BobsArmory]

So I have an number of 2 and 4 stroke OPE's that I own. Lawnmower, snowblower, chain saw, leaf blower, trimmer, blah blah...

I cannot find an E0 gas in the area but have a nice local airport just around the corner. What do you all think about using aviation gas (100 octane low lead) in all this stuff? 5 gallons would do me well for 10 or 12 months for everything.

 

[ZZman]

If you don't mind spending the cash why not?

 

[46Harry]

I don't recommend using straight 100LL avgas in OPE's. I've used it in my equipment, but I only use about 1/3 avgas to 2/3's pump gas. Avgas has a pretty high lead content which could foul the upper cylinder and spark plugs of small engines. The lead in avgas will foul the plugs in aircraft engines, but the reason it is used is for anti detonation which isn't necessary in a low power lawn mower engine.

 

[javacontour]

Seems like a waste in OPE. Isn't most of it low compression gear anyway. Well, at least the mower and snow blower. Not to mention are you going to get winter gas for the snow blower? Summer gas probably won't play well in the snowblower, so one can for the better part of a year may not be a winning strategy.

 

[BobsArmory]

Why would summer gas not work well in winter equipment?

I can get E0 gas 25 miles away but the price is similar to aviation 100 Low lead just a mile away.

46Harry, if they call it low lead why would it be pretty high in lead?

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
Why would summer gas not work well in winter equipment?

I can get E0 gas 25 miles away but the price is similar to aviation 100 Low lead just a mile away.

46Harry, if they call it low lead why would it be pretty high in lead?
Maybe low lead in aviation is high lead in automotive?

 

[SOHCman]

high in lead compared to regular gas ...

I have heard of professional loggers using LL100 in their highly modded up chainsaws, but we are talking performance two strokes with high compression, etc.

 

[hatt]

Try it out. Plenty of people run it without issue. I'd try it if I didn't have sources for 90 octane E0.

Edit. I think a lot of airports carry unleaded E0 if I remember right. It's been a few years since I looked into it.

 

[RedOakRanch]

I've been doing it for several years, zero carb issues since... I'm sold.

 

[Convert]

Isn't there a road tax supposed to be applied if sold for non aviation use. Might be a State or Federal requirement

 

[BobsArmory]

Originally Posted By: Convert
Isn't there a road tax supposed to be applied if sold for non aviation use. Might be a State or Federal requirement


I've never used my lawnmower on the road.

 

[fdcg27]

The avgas will have the aviation fuel tax applied and there is no road tax due on fuel used in off-road applications anyway.
100LL has a high lead content as compared to the leaded fuel once sold for road vehicles.
There is also no currently available motor oil intended to scavenge lead salts aside from those intended for piston aircraft, so this could be a problem.
Does it matter?
Google the saga of M1 AV and you'll see that it does. This PAO oil couldn't deal with excess lead in the lower performance av engines.
Mobil had to buy a lot of owners engines as a result of that fiasco.
I've used E10 in OPEs of all sorts for decades now with no issues.
Your results would likely be the same.

 

[javacontour]

Summer and winter fuels have different properties. A summer fuel is harder to ignite in colder weather. It is hard enough to start small engines in cold weather without adding to the difficulty level by using a summer fuel.

https://newsroom.aaa.com/2013/06/what-is-the-difference-between-summer-and-winter-blend-gasoline/

 

[CT8]

I use what ever they sell at the top tier gas stations in my ope and I haven't had any problems.

 

[Alex_V]

FWIW, my brother-in-law and I tried some 110 leaded racing fuel in our '72 and '81 Honda motorcycles - 175 and 400 CC twins. They ran like nobody's business but we noticed non-typical deposits in the combustion chambers afterward. I'm no expert on it but I'd stick to some kind of unleaded.

 

[Linctex]

Originally Posted By: 46Harry
I only use about 1/3 avgas to 2/3's pump gas. Avgas has a pretty high lead content which could foul the upper cylinder and spark plugs of small engines. The lead in avgas will foul the plugs


PBBBBBFFFFTTTTT........ no, it does not

Slight lead deposits? YES

Plug lead fouled? No, not unless many 100's of gallons have been run through

 

[hatt]

Originally Posted By: Linctex
Originally Posted By: 46Harry
I only use about 1/3 avgas to 2/3's pump gas. Avgas has a pretty high lead content which could foul the upper cylinder and spark plugs of small engines. The lead in avgas will foul the plugs


PBBBBBFFFFTTTTT........ no, it does not

Slight lead deposits? YES

Plug lead fouled? No, not unless many 100's of gallons have been run through
Changing $2 plugs every once in a while is easier than fooling with gummed up carbs every once in a while.

 

[racin4ds]

the small amount of lead is a great upper cylinder lube and you will certainly get easier starts and less carb headaches with the AV gas, pump fuel is garbage now days! If I could get an airport to sell it to me, I'd run it in ALL my small engines!