What gas to use?
 

Hey guys,

Now that my 128 is fully operational, what gas should be using? The first tank I filled with 87. Should I use an additive?..I also noticed there is no fuel filter on this thing, should I think about adding one?

Thx,
Mike

if you can get any gas without ethanol that would be the best. There are 2 stations within 20 miles of me that sell regular old gas, not this diluted stuff.

I use 87 octane in my cubs with no problem. I am in NY also and our gas is only 10% ethanol. It's not the greatest but seems to work all right in my cubs.

I always add a touch of Marvel Mystery Oil to my gas, best to use a gravity feed filter as well.
CaptMax
:American Flag 1:

Any preference to filter?

I use 93 in all of my tractors.If it was made before 1975 it was made for leaded gas leaded gas was 110. It makes them run better and MMO makes a world of difference.

I've been running 91 mid grade in mine. Runs like a scalded dog.

My car calls for 91 octane minimum and I have been trying to buy as little gas as possible lately so I just take my gas can when I fill up the car, pay for my fuel and pump a gallon or so in the can and the rest in the car.

I run 91 premium non oxygenated in every small engine I own. The non oxy has never turned bad or got old

If you look at page 1.5 of a Kohler Service manual tells the owner it's ok to use clean, fresh 87 octane or better unleaded gasoline. Using leaded gasoline will leave more carbon deposits in the combustion chamber and the cylinder head will need more frequent service. ALL small motors reguardless of their age were design to run on unleaded fuel from the factory.

The section aslo says it's ok to use up to 10% alcohol in your Kohler. Gasohol (term for E10 gas in the 1980's) came on the market in the early 1980's. You won't have any problems using E10 if you have a good fuel/storage program. I would use a fuel stablizer in all your small motor fuel (2 and 4 cycle). Sta-Bil and one that Briggs and Stratton sells are 2 good ones to use.

Higher compression motors need higher octane fuel. A motor should have 9.25/9.5 to 1. before it need higher octane fuel. Kohler motors from the factory have 7 to 1 compression ratio. Milling the head and decking the block may raise the compression to 8/8.5 to 1 maybe 9 to 1....not enough to use high octane fuel.

When I go to different plow days I like to try a few things. One was trying 91 octane fuel. The performace level on my 149 was worse using 91 octane fuel. My 149 has .040 off the head and .005 to .008 off the top of the block.

All gas will go bad. Some just take longer.

Briggs and Stratton has an inline fuel filter that works good on my Cubs.

I found a good inline filter at my local dealer. It has a round paper filter inside a clear housing so you can see when it starts to get dirty. I think TSC has them also.

My 1000 had an aftermarket metal tank with no filter or screen when I first got it. It started stalling every time I got onto a hill. I found that the 90 degree fitting coming off of the tank was partially clogged with what looked to be parts of a dead beatle.

I found a good deal on a stock tank from a forum member, put a good metal petcock on it, and the in line filter. Runs perfect now.

Josh P