1996 vmax 600 and fuel grade and Ethanol

Y

yankeeslover

New member
Joined
Dec 18, 2008
Messages
266
Age
47
Location
ny
hello and thanks for reading, I just purchased a used 1996 Vmax 600, and was wondering what grade fuel this recommends? this does not come with an owners manual, so I have no way to look it up. Does it recommend 87 or 89 octane? and what effects would the 10%ethanol have on the motor? I believe all gas now has the Ethanol in it, thanks for the info, Pete
 
You can run regular if you choose, i have always run premium for possible a false sense of security as i believe it is less likely to contain water etc... (whether that is true or not i can not say for sure)
 
I would just use regular. Usually premium is sold at less volume, so gas can sit around longer, with more of a chance of gathering water. If you know a known good station to buy "fresh" premium, then go ahead if it makes you feel better. I wouldn't unless you need more octane3 for mods. Now as much as some people complain about ethanol added to gas, it will remove the water. You never need to run Isopropyl fuel de icer to ethanol added fuels. The only negative about blended fuels is the very slight decrease in mpg.
 
ethanol

so running the 10% blend of ethanol wont hurt these older motors? the reason i ask, is I had a yamaha dealer recently advise me to only run the 93 premium in the vmax..says that less ethanol in the premium grade gas...I dont race or anything, just trail ride, but want to get the most out of this sled..it has 3000 miles on it, i just purchased it, i guess it sat for 2 years covered in a barn, and he put fresh gas in it, and it started w/ one pull...its in mint condition...not sure what else i would need to do.thanks
 
Running 10% ethanol blended gas will not hurt anything. I have run it in several sleds with no issues, even older ones.

Where I live, you can't get anything but the blended gas.

About the worst that can happen is the alcohol can clean out the tank and lines, carbs etc, and plug up the fuel filter. Then a new filter is needed. Easy fix.
 
fuel filter

thats great..thanks, by the way, does anyone know where the fuel filter is located on the 96'? is it hard to get to? i figure it might be a good idea to change anyway..Like I said, the sled sat for two years, and he dumped the gas, and put fresh gas in, started one pull, Im just afraid that somehow it got dirty for two years. it runs like its brand new though, (maybe thats not good...LOL!!!) the carbs have not been cleaned, im not sure if i want to mess with them, as the sled sounds brand new, but maybe its good idea to look at the fuel filter..thanks
 
gas with ethanol doesnt store as well. gas with ethanol is more corrosive to the rubber hoses and such. gas with ethanol will be a bit leaner( I've heard 1 jet size). In minnesota there are quite a few gas stations that have non-oxeygenated gas for lawn mowers snow blowers collecter cars snowmobiles dirt bikes etc.... I think its worth finding these stations myself. I found a list of these stations online.
 
88 octane

to the person who recommended 88 octane, is this still avail? I have never heard of 88 octane, I know here in upstate NY, they have 87,89 and 93, and all gas stations are required to have 10%ethanol blend, now im not.sure if all grades of gas have ethanol or not. Also you say this sled requires 88 octane, do you know where one can find an owners manual for these sleds? the soonest that I can find is 1998 vmax, but i cant find a 96 owners manual, and yamaha does not sell anymore..Im trying to download one..is the 1998 vmax and the 1996 vmax manuals the same? are the motors the same motors?????..thanks, Pete
 
I said 88 because that what the owners manual says,,where do you get 88?
i have no idea thats just what it says,,all my O/M to my sleds say 88..
 
If you have oxygenated 87 octane, your premium will be oxygenated as well.

I guess to be safe, using premium oxygenated gas will burn a little slower than lower ocatne oxygenated gas. See, the alcohol lights off easier. So if you are jetted 100% spot on for non oxygenated fuel, and you go to oxygenated, then yeah, you might burn it up.

I have been running oxygenated fuels in my toys and cars for over 10 years with no issues.
 
10% ethanol will not hurt anything. Its not enough too effect any components, or hurt mpg. It is too offset oil used too produce gas. Higher percentages of ehtanol would be a diff. story.
If anything the small amount of ethanol might help the motor run cleaner and will very slightly increase power. But I dont think it would be noticiable.
I work at an ethanol plant and hear things like this all the time.
As for sitting around, it would not absorb enough h2o too matter.
thanks mike
 
Ethanol blend.....yech !!!

Sorry harleymike, but.....I really disagree!!

Not to argue the pluses or negatives of the Ethanol game, but check out these different links.

http://www.osmb.state.or.us/OSMB/news/E10.shtml

http://www.theoutboardwizard.com/boat_ethanol_danger_precaution.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25936782/

http://www.factsaboutethanol.org/?p=299

While many of these links relate to the Marine motor side, it is still very relevent to the 2 strokes in sleds.

So for those who say they have had "no problems", good for you. Hope the luck stays. And, maybe the blend & quality of the fuels are different in your areas.

I just know that from my personal experiences that the ethanol blend here in OR has issues. In my business pickup I lost 1-1.5 MPG when the state of OR MANDATED this sh**y gas mix since Sept 07. I drive for myself 40-50k miles per year so I know my habits & how I maintane my rig. My regular mechanic that I have used for 23 years also notes what he has seen in what it has done to the vehicles he services & he concurs that the ethanol is not a good mix!!

Then, on the 2 stroke side, I lost a Phazer motor last season to the fine ethanol mix. Seems it lets a bit more moisture in the motor than should be there & got rust on a rod bearing. Even with proper storage practices this happened. I have been riding sleds & using them since 1969, so I am not stupid in that area so I am confident where the issue came from during our "post mortem" of the motor. And, jetting was NOT an issue, I run all my sleds to the FAT side. It was definately from the "solvent characteristic's" of the fuel & moisture sitting on the bearing that caused it to fail.

Then go talk a number of mechanics who get to see the issues the ethanol is causing across the board, small engines & up. We just have to learn what it does & use the proper additives & take the proper precautions when you are forced to use it as we are here in OR. Again, maybe there are better blends in different parts of the country but, what we have here is not the best one & we just adapt.

And, dont let the fuel sit for more than a few months!!! #$%&*

The best fuel is the good old non blended stuff.....if ya can get it!!

Good luck with the ole Vmax !!

Rob
 
too each there own opinion.
I woudnt call it s&&&ty gas thaough. I beliece alternate fules are good for us...
Yes maybe more education in dealing with alternate fuels is needed.
I am no espert, but I still believe there are more pros than cons for ethanol.
Hence the stupid wars being faought. Say what you want, its about oil.....
mike
 
harley mike your job is depedent on us using ethanol. That makes your opionon bias by nature. The fact is in my vehicles ethanol is fine(my cars dont sit for long periods) but in my sled I would rather not have it in the tank all summer.
 
but if you put in stabilizer does that not help... any gas goes bad after that long....Working at an ethanol plant doesnt make me bias.I work there because they pay me well... I can work at any refinery...
I happen too believe in alternate fuels.. and cutting off the oil from across the ocean, and those that fight wars over it...
anyways thats off topic... i think you may have a point, but there are additives for off season, ehtanol does absorb water...
 
When temps get really low like -10 with a full tank of gas you can put about a half quart or little less atf trans fluid in tank to protect motor.
 
Just watch your pulgs, With "E10" you should run one size bigger main jet if its jetted spot on for 100% real gas. Most yami's are Jetted overly rich from the factory and are PLENTY safe running E10. E10 has 2-3% less energy content per gallon than 100% gas and you WILL loose MPG. My SX600R with stock jets runs a DARK brown plug with 100% gas and a medium brown with E-10. Still in the safe range at -20*f
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top