Unleaded gas in old outboards yes or no?

[outboardaussie]

G'day mates, Down here in Australia, I've been advised not to run my old outboards on unleaded gas. Can anyone give me actual reports of detination attributed to running on unleaded gas. One report from a fella says that half an hour is enough to root it.<br />It's a bloody pain 'cos most marinas have only unleaded and we have vintage donks. HELP!<br /><br />Please

 

[Yammy]

Re: Unleaded gas in old outboards yes or no?

You can use unleaded gas. Older motors don't need lead more than the new ones. I was suspisious too, before I asked experts.

 

[Walter]

Re: Unleaded gas in old outboards yes or no?

My understanding is that the lead in leaded gasoline helps to act as a lubricant and older four cycle engines without hardened valve seats and guides can be damaged by using unleaded gasoline. Of course, two stroke engines rely on the oil added to the gasoline to lube the engine's vital components. I don't believe I've ever heard of a two stroke outboard damaged by burning unleaded gas.... If your outboard is an older four stroke engine (Homelite, Bearcat...) then unleaded gas may be an issue. I'm interested to see what other's have to say on this topic....

 

[12Footer]

Re: Unleaded gas in old outboards yes or no?

Walter, from what I've been taught, you are right on the mark.<br />The one caveate is not to use the newer "acohl-enhanced" or "gasohol" formuations,as these tend to eat rubber parts, such as fuel lines, float needle seats and fuel pump diaphrams.<br />Other than that, 2-cycle,steel reed outboards run fine on the new formulations.

 

[JEllwanger]

Re: Unleaded gas in old outboards yes or no?

Does anyone know where I can find a listing of stations that sell non-alcohol gas? I'm in Chicago and everyoen only sells the 10% ethanol crud. I've tried the gas company's web sites with no luck.