I have a CH-300 with over 1900 hours on it. I have the Lyc O-320, 150 HP. I
have run over 11,000 gallons of mogas through it. I now check every batch I
buy to insure that there is no ethanol in it. I have been told that the
requirement to post on the pump weather or not the fuel contains ethanol is
no longer in effect. So you must check it yourself. I do, and have never
found ethanol in the fuel. I understand that some states require that all
fuel sold in the state be blended. (Missouri). So you must check.
I buy the standard grade fuel, I think they list it as 89 octane, and it
seems to work fine.
HOWEVER: early on, one time, I did have symptoms of vapor lock. To counter
that I did the following:
Installed a blast tube to blow fresh air into a shroud that I built and
installed around the mechanical fuel pump:
I insulated all fuel lines ahead of the firewall.
I installed a small heat shield over the gascolator bowl to shield it from
radiant heat from the exhaust pipes.
Since doing the above, I have had no problems with vapor lock.
HOWEVER:
When it is hot out, above 85 or so,I do the following:
I carry Avgas in the right tank, and I use the right tank for takeoff and
landing.
I use mogas in the left tank for cruising.
I also avoid short shutdowns. By this I mean that if I have been flying, and
the engine is warm, I try and let it cool a bit between flights. The fuel
pump will absorb heat from the block when you shut down on a hot day. Thus
raising your risk for vapor lock.
My experience has been that if you keep the fuel as cool as possible, you
will be ok.
But don't just take my word for it.
Tim Hickey
N171TL
Rebel 808
-----Original Message-----
From: Ralph Baker
Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2011 1:43 PM
To:
rebel-builders@dcsol.com
Subject: [rebel-builders] Mogas in 160 hp
Ken is correct in his comments on the total fuel system. When a certified
aircraft is STC'd for mogas there is an extensive test regimen on the entire
fuel system to ensure suitability. There was gentleman who wrote for GA
news who had 30 years experience with aviation fuel at Shell. His comment
at S&F one year was that if a new/rebuilt engine were run 300 hours on 100LL
it could then be run to TBO on quality, no alchohol, auto gas of sufficient
octane.
Ralph Baker
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