Originally Posted by FenneyFanatic (Post 2204905)

A gentlemen just posted that he looked at the pumps and found no sign of golf cart gas. I hope this is not true. Thoughts?

Originally Posted by jimschlaefer (Post 2205333)

Before buying my first golf cart last year, I researched this very topic some to try and find out more. From Yamaha documentation, I read that in mid-2017 Yamaha changed their EFI Drive 2 engines to run with unleaded 89 octane, less than 10% alcohol fuel. My owner's manual specifically states fuel with less than 10% methanol and then follows with a separate notice to avoid methanol fuels. So how to read that?? I've been running 93 octane regular fuel now for a year and have had both great performance and no issues (we live here full time and have 2 carts 2017/2021). I can't speak to earlier models of Yamaha carts or other manufacturers, but this information I found directly from Yamaha references. In fairness, methanol tends to "suck" moisture from the air and it can accumulate in your fuel tank if left sitting for a while. All that said, if you plan on storing your cart for a period of time, like you're a snowbird, at least drain the fuel system before putting it away to prevent gunking and methanol deterioration from sitting (would be the same for pretty much any engine). Also, an additive such as Sta-Bil can help with storage. Long story short, if you use your cart regularly and don't let it sit, less than 10% methanol regular is probably OK. If you want to be super-safe and not deal with it, non-methanol works better. Either will make your Yamaha cart go zoom-zoom.
For what it's worth.

Originally Posted by FenneyFanatic (Post 2204913)

The manufacturer recommends non-ethanol gasoline..

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2204939)

There is probably one or two pumps with non ethanol.
The 7-11 by brownwood has at least 1 - it is marked non ethanol.

Did your ‘friend” check all the pumps or just 1 or 2.

Originally Posted by Babubhat (Post 2204965)

The myth continues. Only should prefer non ethanol if you don’t drive cart on a regular basis

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2204939)

There is probably one or two pumps with non ethanol.
The 7-11 by brownwood has at least 1 - it is marked non ethanol.

Did your ‘friend” check all the pumps or just 1 or 2.

Originally Posted by maistocars (Post 2205459)

Didn't think the 7-11 by Brownwood was golf cart accessible.

Originally Posted by GizmoWhiskers (Post 2205283)

Golf Cart Gas... funny, a "secret potion" sold by T V.

Been using regular unleaded gas in my Yamaha G C for years with no problems.

Originally Posted by FenneyFanatic (Post 2204921)

From the Villages Golf Cart website:

How does Ethanol affect my Golf Car?
Ethanol attracts and absorbs water from the air and can lead to rust and contamination in your engine. If ethanol gas sits for a period of time, it can separate (gas from water) and cause the engine to suck up water instead of fuel, leading to serious engine damage.

Originally Posted by bsloan1960 (Post 2204911)

Haven't moved to TV yet. Do golf carts take special gas?

Originally Posted by Sunflower33 (Post 2205476)

We didn’t have special gas until the golf cart stores were built.

Originally Posted by ohioshooter (Post 2204923)

You put it in your automobile every time you fill up, what’s the difference?

Originally Posted by FenneyFanatic (Post 2204905)

A gentlemen just posted that he looked at the pumps and found no sign of golf cart gas. I hope this is not true. Thoughts?

Originally Posted by Robbb (Post 2205045)

Are you sure about that? All the small Yamaha engines that I am familiar with are all designed to use ethanol. In fact non-ethanol fuels are very difficult to find in many areas.

Originally Posted by mrf0151 (Post 2205079)

Actually, on page 6-2 of the Yamaha owner's manual it only states unleaded fuel. Non-ethanol is smart for sure or if using regular 87 octane recommended fuel then one is wise to use the Star-Tron ethanol additive. Note that these Yamaha engines are LOW compression and that use of octane higher than 87 can leave carbon deposits in the engine. This eventually will lead to a poor power issue.


Since 2017, increasingly more opinions have been expressed that ethanol fuels may not be the best fuel for golf carts. This has come around due to mechanical issues seen in golf carts like stalling, exhaust smoke, clogged carburetors, damaged fuel pumps, and dissolving of rubber components.

Ethanol attracts water, and if your cart doesn’t burn through it within about three months of filling, the ethanol can be corrosive in the engine, and this can cause performance and mechanical issues.

Not only that, but when the water suspended in the gas experiences rapid temperature changes and does separate from the gas, it lowers the octane level by around 4 points, so can 87 octane is now only an 83 octane.

Smaller engines with carburetors like golf carts were not designed to work with the 10% ethanol (E-10) content, reducing fuel efficiency considerably. It affects efficient combustion in the engine, causing stalling and a rough-running engine.

As ethanol in the fuel tank ages, it promotes the build of gum, leading to clogging in the carburetor and fuel filter, which will decrease the power and performance.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2205535)

I don't know all the factors involved, but ethanol is alcohol that can mess up the vibrating plastic/rubber discs that are supposed to function as a carburetor in the small gas engines.

Originally Posted by Gatorgreen (Post 2205117)

bingo!

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2205535)

I don't know all the factors involved, but ethanol is alcohol that can mess up the vibrating plastic/rubber discs that are supposed to function as a carburetor in the small gas engines.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2205538)

Ethanol is a poor additive and has no REAL justification in ANY IC engine. It was a marketing campaign designed to keep up the price of corn for corn farmers in the Midwest.

Originally Posted by NoMoSno (Post 2205502)

I only put about 200 miles a year on my cart. It and my zero-turn get non-ethanol.
Edger/weed wacker, blower and hedge trimmer get canned fuel with no Benzine.
Benzine is a killer on small rubber diaphragm based carbs.
Regular 10% Ethanol is fine in a cart if you use it regularly.

Originally Posted by ohioshooter (Post 2205542)

They don’t have carburetors anymore. This is 2023. Oh I better be careful or I’ll offend someone.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2205563)

Very small IC engines use a rubber disc CHEAP carb alternative. Modern gasoline cars and trucks use fuel injection systems which are very COSTLY, but have advantages of delivering higher (though unnecessary) HORSEPOWER while giving good gas mileage.
Actually, I believe that normal carbs have advantages over even fuel injection at lower engine speeds. It takes higher RPMs before the fuel injection is superior. I don't believe that a farm tractor would benefit much if any from a fuel injection system.

Originally Posted by ohioshooter (Post 2205635)

So much bad information here. Go by your owners manual.

Originally Posted by Babubhat (Post 2204965)

The myth continues. Only should prefer non ethanol if you don’t drive cart on a regular basis

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2204991)

Or, just put a squirt of "Sta-bil" in the tank when you leave the cart sitting for an extended period of time...

Originally Posted by bsloan1960 (Post 2204911)

Haven't moved to TV yet. Do golf carts take special gas?

Originally Posted by jarodrig (Post 2205474)

Yes , of course they would give you that recommendation.

Why, you ask ?? BECAUSE THEY SELL NON-ETHANOL FUEL AND MAKE A PRETTY GOOD PROFIT ON IT !!!

Using regular unleaded with no more than 10% ethanol in your cart will have NO impact on the warranty.

If anyone would care to look in the MFG OWNER MANUAL, they specifically recommend REGULAR unleaded fuel with NO MORE than 10% ethanol.

You will find NOWHERE in your manual where non ethanol fuel is specifically recommended. In fact , nothing is said AT ALL about ethanol free fuel .

I’ve owned 3 Yamaha gas carts, my first being a carbureted 2003, second was a carbureted 2010 and my current is a fuel injected 2019 Quie-Tec (Currently, I have 8,073 miles on it).

ALL owner manuals have had the same recommendation as listed above . I’ve run all of my carts following the MFG’s recommendation.

So, it is pure BS that following the MFG’s recommendation is going to “ruin” or “damage” your engine !

All that being said ….. there is NOTHING WRONG with using non-ethanol fuel in your golf cart. However , you’re paying more for it than 10 % ethanol when it’s not necessary….other than somehow making you feel better ! Your engine won’t know the difference.