Thank you Old Bob for posting the link. This should help everone that has carb problems. BTW most "pump" gas is rated by the "research octane number" or RON method and if we are talking about 20 to 40 cents more to put a higher grade gas per fillup (2 gallons max), I would err on the side of spending a few extra cents rather than a fried motor.
I've heard these mini four stroke ping on hot days with an appliction of full throttle from low rpm.Good idea to keep an ear out for it and go up one or two grades until weather cools off.
I had one extreme case with a carburetor problem that had the engine so lean it pinged at idle with no load.
I would agree definetly stick with 87 octane
It is a myth that higher octane gasolines are better for your engines
I called honda about this when My gxh50 was brand new and they said to stick with 87
Different octanes require your engine to be tuned for them
I beleive it is because it will throw the timing off slightly
I used to drive a Ford Focus which called for 87 but I always used 93 because I thought I was doing my car some good.
Then I learned that since that is not what my engine was set up for I was slowly but SURELY doing damage to my engine.
The only way to run 93 in that car without hurting anything was to use a tuner chip to set it up.
On these engines However if ya could find a way to ACCURATELY reset the timing while you are running a higher octane fuel i THINK you should be fine (i dont think these engines have timing marks you can check with an automotive timing light so I have no clue how to go about this)
accurate timing is VERY important
And a mechanic is going to tell you that it is pointless to go with a higher octane without first tuning for it
My conclusion as to what octane I should use is
When in doubt
Stick with what honda says
I am going to try 87 octane fuel in the next tank to see if it makes a difference. Your reply makes sense, so I will let you know what the outcome is after running 87 octane.
