Gas problem

(bthornton) · (bthornton) **Join Date: Aug 2006** 05-15-2007, 8:04 PM

I saw a thread on wakeside rides about a guy who blew one of his intake valves on his mercury black scorpion. He said it was because he wasn't using premium gas in his boat. I have that same engine in my boat. Should I be running premium? I believe the manual says that 87 octane is fine. It could be a very long and expensive summer if need to be running premium.

(rio_sanger) · (rio_sanger) **Join Date: Apr 2007** 05-15-2007, 8:19 PM

Brandon, we have well over six hundered hrs. on our black scorpion, 98% on 87 octane. not one problem. Fuel does lose octane if it sits for a long time. I would use higher octane if the boat doesen't get used often or use a stabilizer additive.

(wake_upppp) · (wake_upppp) **Join Date: Nov 2003** 05-15-2007, 8:25 PM

Don't believe everything you read. You don't "blow" a valve from not using premium,lol. The manual does say 87. Don't sweat it. Have fun.

(bthornton) · (bthornton) **Join Date: Aug 2006** 05-15-2007, 8:33 PM

That's what I thought. Gas is expensive enough without having to buy the premium. It will still be an expensive summer just not quite as expensive.