I own a strikemaster Mag 3 49cc engine that I bought in 1999. With all the different gas octanes and with ethanol blends out there I wasn’t sure what is really best to use. I could use some advise please.
Not sure if it is the best Gas for it but I’ve always only used the 87 Octane gas for my 15+ year old strikemaster. I add a small amount of seafoam to each gallon mixed. Knock on wood – No problems ever with it.
Non-Ethenol with a touch of Stabil or Seafoam as mentioned above.
I use the pre-mixed VP fuel you’d buy at a hardware store.
My auger has never started easier or run better. It has no ethanol, and by running it, I no longer get the gooey, oily residue on the muffler/shroud.
It’s 94 octane and it seems mine starts much easier on ultra-cold mornings.
I’ve been using it for a couple seasons now. I’m not sure how Strikemaster feels about it, but I’ve had no problems and actually converted a bunch of buddies to it as well.
I’ve been using the FlexFuel – similar to what is posted above.
Certainly has a price tag to it though.
I’ve had good luck with the TruFuel brand which is similar to what Andy posted above. I don’t know if I’ve seen the VP around my local hardware stores.
The only thing to be careful with is the mix ratio, my older strikemaster was 24:1, and I think the richest mix they make in the pre-mixed stuff is 40:1.
I should have been more clear, my auger engine is a 2.5 Solo
How much do those premixed fuels go for?
About $23 a gallon, if you buy it that way. I pay about $5-6 for a quart and can get just short of 2 fill ups out of that.
The TruFuel I bought was like $5-6 a can, 32 oz. I think the tank on the Strikemaster is 24 oz.
Honestly, I’ll probably go through 1-2 of them a year. But they are so much more convenient than mixing gas and carrying that with. Bring an extra can on any extended trip and don’t worry about gas spills or anything.
If you are going through a few gallons of gas a year then it’s gonna be much cheaper to mix your own.
Those premix cans look very convenient. Currently I use premium 91 non-oxy with 1 oz of seafoam per gallon mixed 70-80:1 with Amsoil Saber. Been using this mix for several years with my Jiffy Stealth 2hp.
However mixing that small of ratio per gallon can be difficult. I bought a special device that measures very small amounts of oil to make it precise.
Those premix cans look very convenient. Currently I use premium 91 non-oxy with 1 oz of seafoam per gallon mixed 70-80:1 with Amsoil Saber. Been using this mix for several years with my Jiffy Stealth 2hp.
However mixing that small of ratio per gallon can be difficult. I bought a special device that measures very small amounts of oil to make it precise.
X2 I’m using a 2007 Mag 2000..
I use a meat injector that measures ml’s..
I use race fuel 110 octane
good tip there mudshark. I just picked up new plugs and a bottle of saber. going to give that a shot as my solo 2.5 can be a pain to start on a cold morning. Once warmed up it runs like a dream- but does have the goo coming out of decompression button and exhaust. hopefully the saber clears that up.
If you run 40:1 or 50:1 in old strikemaster that called for 25:1 there would be no problems there. The oils today have alot better lubricating properties. The vp gas in the metal containers and others like it have a shelf life of 2 years once opened. Unopened it stays fresh for 5. Regular gas out of the pump whether it’s 87 or 91 has a life of 30 days. So in all reality if you leave the vp gas in your auger tank over the summer you won’t have problems the next year and can finish up that tank!
this may be a dumb question… but amsoil saber pro comes in a 100:1 pre mix bottle and a bottle that says “good for all ratios”. Is there a difference?
So in all reality if you leave the vp gas in your auger tank over the summer you won’t have problems the next year and can finish up that tank!
I’d still be careful with this assumption… there is a huge difference in keeping gas in the original metal, well sealed container and in you auger’s plastic tank, and carb. Evaporation and such… it is still good to get rid of that fuel and empty system before long time storage. While good fuel will have less problems, it is not immune to having problems…IMO
I just get non ethanol gas. Around here Cenex has 87 octane with no ethanol, or any other gas station has premium (91 octane?). I’ll use either. I mix with Amsoil Saber and find it all to be a good combo. Very little smoke or odor, and any motor I run it in runs well.
At the end of the season I drain the tank and run the motor till it dies. Never any small engine problems for me doing it this way.
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