Lawn Mower Fuel Brand Experiment

[n0rt0npr0]

I have the test "set-up" :





Now I just need to locate the jug I will use to bring home my first sample.

Mower is Toro 450 Model #20434

Funnel has cut-off valve on it, measurements will be taken in ml or in pints. I need help deciding how much fuel to test per run. How about 200ml? (I can guess that that much is about an hour run)

I marked the ground so mower can be brought back to the exact same spot (in case it rains and so I can put it back in garage overnight)

I will keep my window cracked so I can hear the mower sputtering when its running out of fuel. I will hand time the run, and time is stopped when mower is stalled.

Of course I will log all ambient temperatures as taken from the weather station one of my neighbors is runnning 900ft away.
*out in garage locating my jug to start the beginning of three runs of Shell*

[Compaq888]

I think you should do the following.

Shell
Chevron
76
Arco
Mobil

Those are the top brands.

[SVOboy]

I've never heard of arco, and I have traveled the northest for college visits, the midwest for family, and the mid atlantic for life.

Exxon-Mobil is the largest oil company in the world still, right?

[Matt Timion]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

I've never heard of arco, and I have traveled the northest for college visits, the midwest for family, and the mid atlantic for life.

Exxon-Mobil is the largest oil company in the world still, right?

Arco is huge on the west coast. It's a cheap gas station. I would say to use it if you have one in the area.

[n0rt0npr0]

Gotta scratch Arco, Chevron & 76 off the list. No such things here.

Availible brands here are BP, Mobil, Shell, Marathon/Speedways, Sunoco and Citgo. Of course you have the Costco's, Meijers and Sam's Clubs fuel.
*EDIT 3-29-06*
Found out that MArathon is NOT the same as Speedway! Totally different! My bad!
I also have ONE BioPerformance Gas Pill, lol
If someone wants to figure out how we could test that in this experiment. ...and it does indeed smell like moth balls.

I found my jug and testing with Shell begins tonight.

[SVOboy]

I remember when I wanted to test moth balls. That would be something to test, just figure out the ratios. You could also do it with moth balls if it pleased you.

[n0rt0npr0]

yeah,

and it doesn't please me to test an expensive box of moth balls. Someone can send 4 of them to me if they want to for testing purposes .

As far as this test, the conditions outside here are very ideal right now. Calm wind. No sun shining on the gas funnel. Temp is 36.7

[SVOboy]

Aren't moth balls only like 99 cents a thing? I dunno, I have never even seen them for sale, nor do I know what their purpose is.

[n0rt0npr0]

last year or whenever you were talking about them on here last, I located them for $2.69 a box...
but yah I don't know much about them either

[diamondlarry]

People put mothballs in an onionbag or something like that and hang them in their closet to keep moths from eating their clothes. I'm not sure they are used as much anymore with all of the synthetic fibers being used for clothes nowadays.

[Compaq888]

Don't you have chevron over there????

[SVOboy]

I've seen one chevron ever, in kansas I think.

[Compaq888]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

I've seen one chevron ever, in kansas I think.

I've seen them in Kansas too but I didn't have to click my high heels to get there.

[n0rt0npr0]

To start, I did as JanGeo suggested...I ran a warmup run 50ml of Shell fuel. And I took aproximately 15 minutes between runs to start the next.

The constants in this round are:
-Three 200ml runs
-Barometric Pressure remained constant at 29.42in
-No measurable windspeed

Run #1
-Length: 20:49.00 minutes
-Temp remained within 36°F
-Humidity was 39 to 40%

Run #2
-Length: 20:25.00 minutes
-Temp remained within 35°F
-Humidity: 40%

Run #3
-Length: 21:09.00 minutes
-Temp remained within 34°F
-Humidity: 42%

P.S.~There are no Chevrons around here...
And damn I was waaay off in estimating how long 200ml would run! lol

[Compaq888]

well this blows. Some of use can't really use this because we have different gas stations. I only use Chevron and shell because all the mechanics we've been to recommend it.

[Matt Timion]

Originally Posted by Compaq888

well this blows. Some of use can't really use this because we have different gas stations. I only use Chevron and shell because all the mechanics we've been to recommend it.

The solution is to do it yourself. The more data we get the better, IMO. Some of the data will overlap and some will not. in the end we'll have a great set of data.

I might have to try to find an old lawn mower for this very purpose.

Nortonpro, are you emptying the gas tank between each run? I'm very impressed with the consistancy of the first three runs on the same gas.

[Compaq888]

Originally Posted by Matt Timion

The solution is to do it yourself. The more data we get the better, IMO. Some of the data will overlap and some will not. in the end we'll have a great set of data.

I might have to try to find an old lawn mower for this very purpose.

Nortonpro, are you emptying the gas tank between each run? I'm very impressed with the consistancy of the first three runs on the same gas.

I don't own a lawnmover and doing this experiment on a car will produce different results due to driving conditions, other drivers, weather and etc.

[n0rt0npr0]

Yes, gravity clears the whole fuel line and stalls the mower out for the next run. All the way down to the last drop of fuel.

And there were many constants during this round. I may have to get a normal measuring cup to truly measure 200ml out on a perfectly level surface, rather than this funnel to get any closer consistancy.

There are no leaks and with no wind this round, no measurable evaporation.

[JanGeo]

apparently it increases performance like nitro and produces some nasty acids in the motor that will distroy it.

[JanGeo]

results of test look good - you will find that if several people do the same test who has the best lawnmower! LOL! Anyone want to ship you some other brands of gas to test?

[n0rt0npr0]

I located the CLOSEST Chevron! It's 165 miles away in Amsterdam, Ohio. I'm up for road trips but not the expense of that long a drive. Donations appreciated...lol, cuz I'm crazy enough to go get it:P

The nearest 76 is 63 miles away in Howell, Mi.

[krousdb]

Originally Posted by Compaq888

well this blows. Some of use can't really use this because we have different gas stations. I only use Chevron and shell because all the mechanics we've been to recommend it.

First things first. Lets prove that there is a statistically significant difference between several fuels. Then lets worry about testing the different brands. Since gasoline generally travels through a pipeline to get to different parts of the country, any difference would be in the additives that are mixed in at the terminals.

Another thing to consider.... Right about now, there is a change from the winter blend to the summer blend of fuel, 112,500 BTU to 114,500 BTU. You need to be sure that you are testing the same blends or your results will be inaccurate. There is also a change from MTBE to RFG? Lots of variables here with the boutique blends. Driving to another state to get a particular brand of fuel might result in a different blend. So in addition to testing Shell, BP, Chevron, etc, we also must state winter or summer blend, RFG, CBG, etc...

[krousdb]

Originally Posted by n0rt0npr0

Yes, gravity clears the whole fuel line and stalls the mower out for the next run. All the way down to the last drop of fuel.

And there were many constants during this round. I may have to get a normal measuring cup to truly measure 200ml out on a perfectly level surface, rather than this inverted cup to get any closer consistancy.

There are no leaks and with no wind this round, no measurable evaporation.

You might want to try one of those syrnge like things for measuring medicine for children. I have a 50ml one. Also, are you running at idle or low or high throttle?

[Compaq888]

krousdb is right you might be using winter bland for one gas and summer gas for another brand. You might want to wait a month till everybody uses summer gas.

[n0rt0npr0]

I did consider that but I doubt 2000 btu is statistically significant inside of a 200ml run.

Also, this area uses massive amounts of gasoline. Our public transportation system is one of the worst (smallest) in the country. We are slow to switch to the more expensive summer blend. They won't allow that to come around until May 1st. AND my impression from last year is right before labor day weekend will they release it to the stations. This can be proven upon request.

MTBE? They've talked about that here. Since the 80's there has not even been a chance of it here though. MTBE is an oxygenate as is ethanol, current states with cities using an oxygenate are: Texas, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Alaska, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Minnesota and Washington. No RFG either here.

The mower is on "fixed" full/high throttle. I never move it, and its zip tied in place.

I aquired a 60ml syringe. Retesting using that for the sole measuring.

[krousdb]

I guess maybe Matt can tell us if 2000 BTU, approx 2% is statistically significant. I was thinking that if one brand consistantly showed a 2% increase in run time over the others that it would be significant. I am expecting no difference.

But it sounds like you have the winter blend so your results will be interesting. Are you retesting with 200 ml or with 60 ml? Good idea with the zip tie.

[n0rt0npr0]

Thanks for the syringe idea, I am testing now and have some very close times. I must be very very close to 200ml this time around.

Yes, staying with 200ml for all the runs. Thanks for the ziptie comment.

My last test will be over in 30 minutes(its 2:45 now), and five minutes later I will post the results.

[krousdb]

Originally Posted by n0rt0npr0

My last test will be over in 30 minutes(its 2:45 now), and five minutes later I will post the results.

The suspense is killing me! What brand is next?

[n0rt0npr0]

Okay first, Mobil is the fuel to be tested next.

Again, I took aproximately 15 minutes between runs to restart.

The constants in this round are:
-Three 200ml runs (warm runs)
-Barometric Pressure remained statisticly constant at 29.35in - 29.37in
-No measurable windspeed on first two runs, change listed on third
-Same Shell Gasoline as first run

Run #1
-Length: 22:00.00 minutes
-Temp remained within 46°F
-Humidity was 38%

Run #2
-Length: 22:17.00 minutes
-Temp remained within 46°F
-Humidity: 38%

Run #3
-Length: 21:49.00 minutes
-Temp remained within 47°F
-Humidity: 37%
-2.33mph average windspeed

[krousdb]

OK, but does 21.49 mean 21 minutes 49 seconds or 21.49 minutes?