Will the 1330 engine adjust based on gas octane changes?

[newdave]

Around where I live I am not aware of anywhere that I can buy ethanol-free gas. I have used 91 octane exclusively since I bought my RT two years ago, but after reading this thread I might try to fill up next time with 87 octane, which is about $1 a gallon cheaper than the 91 or 93 octane. My bigger challenge is finding specific gas pumps that allow me to slowly fill the tank so that I can at least come close to actually filling it. Many pumps seem to be either on or off with no way to regulate flow, shutting off the pump when I know that there is at least 1 to 1.5 gallons short of totally full.

I didn't buy my Spyder to save money on gas, but I guess if 87 works essentially as well as 91, it seems foolish to keep spending the extra dollars on the 91.

Agreed. If it'll run fine on 87 E10, running higher octane is money down the drain. I've got other things to spend my money on, like farkles.

I've been using nothing but premium in mine for a year. I reckon it cost me $252 extra to do so.

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

I'm using 90 octane 100% gas (ethanol free), and it works fine, even in hot wx. 92 octane premium w/ethanol is also available. I've used both, and cant tell the difference. I usually always go with what the manufacturer suggests, I don't try to out smart the engineers that design the machine, but I think the 90 octane is ok.

 

[bigbadbrucie]

Around where I live I am not aware of anywhere that I can buy ethanol-free gas. I have used 91 octane exclusively since I bought my RT two years ago, but after reading this thread I might try to fill up next time with 87 octane, which is about $1 a gallon cheaper than the 91 or 93 octane. My bigger challenge is finding specific gas pumps that allow me to slowly fill the tank so that I can at least come close to actually filling it. Many pumps seem to be either on or off with no way to regulate flow, shutting off the pump when I know that there is at least 1 to 1.5 gallons short of totally full.

I didn't buy my Spyder to save money on gas, but I guess if 87 works essentially as well as 91, it seems foolish to keep spending the extra dollars on the 91.

I agree.......up to a point. BRP did not use these engines to make more money for the gas companies, nor did they recommend 91 octane for the gas companies. Yes, your Spyder seems to run just fine on 87 octane, BUT the recommended octane is 91, so I’m back to using that, but if it is not available at fill up time I’ll use lower. The recommended octane recommendation comes from someone a lot smarter than me, and it was not just a number randomly chosen. A lot of the members on this site will disagree, but that is just their own thinking....are they as smart as the engineers that recommended 91 octane in the first place? And one last thing.....I’m not a wealthy man. I live on a fixed government pension and used my savings to purchase my USED unit for relaxation purposes.

 

[ARtraveler]

It is sometimes funny to go back and re-read these threads.

Rule #1....Most of us are older geezers. We have our minds made up. Don't need no steenkeen manuals or advice. Do our best to try to convert everyone on the site to our opinions. No reason to get mad at others. IT IS THE WAY IT IS.

I am on the wrong side with my 87 octane and 10% ethanol. Over a hundred thousand miles on the Spyders since 2014 when I made the change over from premium. Still haven't blown up an engine or had ANY major damage. Right BlueKnight? :yes: I listened to BK and it seems to be working for the both of us. We MUST be right. :roflblack:

 

[Knizar]

We hear ya Bruce, "BUT", Those same engineers are constantly pushing the use of the Kenda (out of round wheel barrow tires) which are a POS! I've got 28K on the diluted 87 octane on my ride and will continue using it until it dies.

Sometimes even the smartest people make a mistake. :thumbup: Bill

 

[BajaRon]

It is sometimes funny to go back and re-read these threads.

Rule #1....Most of us are older geezers. We have our minds made up. Don't need no steenkeen manuals or advice. Do our best to try to convert everyone on the site to our opinions. No reason to get mad at others. IT IS THE WAY IT IS.

I am on the wrong side with my 87 octane and 10% ethanol. Over a hundred thousand miles on the Spyders since 2014 when I made the change over from premium. Still haven't blown up an engine or had ANY major damage. Right BlueKnight? :yes: I listened to BK and it seems to be working for the both of us. We MUST be right. :roflblack:

You make some very accurate assessments here.

You're not on the wrong side of anything with your 87 octane and ethanol mix. The ECU is designed to compensate for virtually any clean, uncontaminated fuel you are likely to run into. Though it can't compensate for the potential downsides of ethanol.

If not blowing up your engine, or suffering any major damage are your essential parameters. Then there is no question that you're all good. I would add, the same principal applies to which oil you use.

However, the fact remains that having your ECU compensate does have other, less noticable consequences. It is also true that there are several factors which determine how much of a difference fuel octane and mix will make. So, results are not linear.

Still, whether or not a person perceives them, 'Compensation' always has consequences. I think this is what promoters of Premium, straight gasoline are attempting to convey. It's not about being right or wrong. It's about knowing how the machine functions and the facts surrounding your options.

Is premium fuel Required? No. I don't know if I've ever seen anyone try to make this point.

Is premium fuel ideal? The Rotax engineers that made the motor, along with the stated compression ratio, would seem to make a strong case.

No one should feel put-upon regarding the fuel they choose. Nor should anyone attempt to make someone feel bad about their selection. It's your ride. Do it the way you want and be happy!

 

[ARtraveler]

You make some very accurate assessments here.

You're not on the wrong side of anything with your 87 octane and ethanol mix. The ECU is designed to compensate for virtually any clean, uncontaminated fuel you are likely to run into. Though it can't compensate for the potential downsides of ethanol.

If not blowing up your engine, or suffering any major damage are your essential parameters. Then there is no question that you're all good. I would add, the same principal applies to which oil you use.

However, the fact remains that having your ECU compensate does have other, less noticable consequences. It is also true that there are several factors which determine how much of a difference fuel octane and mix will make. So, results are not liner.

Still, whether or not a person perceives them, 'Compensation' always has consequences. I think this is what promoters of Premium, straight gasoline are attempting to convey. It's not about being right or wrong. It's about knowing how the machine functions and the facts surrounding your options.

Is premium fuel Required? No. I don't know if I've ever seen anyone try to make this point.

Is premium fuel ideal? The Rotax engineers that made the motor, along with the stated compression ratio, would seem to make a strong case.

No one should feel put-upon regarding the fuel they choose. Nor should anyone attempt to make someone feel bad about their selection. It's your ride. Do it the way you want and be happy!

Thank you for the comments. You also make good points. Us geezers should stick together. :bowdown:

 

[BajaRon]

Thank you for the comments. You also make good points. Us geezers should stick together. :bowdown:

You Got That Right! You'll never hear me say otherwise! You have to be a geezer to understand a geezer! I used to think they were crazy! Now I am one! It's called 'Life'!

 

[old Timer]

My '20 F3 L has about 22,000 miles, runs perfectly and has ALWAYS used regular grade.

 

[GFrog]

I used to think they were crazy! Now I am one! It's called 'Life'!

It's weird to be the same age as old people.

 

[Mikey]

It's weird to be the same age as old people.

Your Avitar sez it all, it's the music!!!:cheers:

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

It's weird to be the same age as old people.

That's the best one liner I've heard in quite some time

:cheers:

 

[Big F]

I agree on the 87 octane. I'm on my 5th Spyder (all RTs) and have tried using 91 octane vs 87 octane on each model and found there is absolutely no difference in performance or MPG! we recently had another successful Spyderfever rally and several attendees were hell bent on finding a 91 octane station?? I shared with them my results and they just shrugged me off. so be it.
BIG F

 

[bigbadbrucie]

Hmmmm..... Oil threads..... Octane threads...... The two sides will NEVER agree. Crazy thing is, both sides are pretty well correct.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I agree on the 87 octane. I'm on my 5th Spyder (all RTs) and have tried using 91 octane vs 87 octane on each model and found there is absolutely no difference in performance or MPG! we recently had another successful Spyderfever rally and several attendees were hell bent on finding a 91 octane station?? I shared with them my results and they just shrugged me off. so be it.
BIG F

I'm a staunch advocate for 87 oct. ..... however I dis-agree about your view on " performance ", it is a very slight de-crease from 91 oct. to 87 oct. ..... but it would take a DYNO to show it .... On MPG's there is no way to measure it ..... JMHO .... Mike :thumbup: