2019 test2 productsFuel & Additives

Which Engine Fuel Brand Wins?

We compared 2 engine fuel options head to head. Unleaded gasoline came out on top. See the measured results, the runner-up, the budget pick, and a link to the full test video.

The verdict
Winner

Unleaded gasoline

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The measured results

Every number below is read straight from the test. Scroll sideways to see all measurements. Products are listed in the order they finished.

ProductLead buildup and combustion chamber inspectionLead buildup on spark plug and combustion chamber, small enginePredator 212 running characteristicsFuel injected generator under loadWankel rotary engine, see through coverGo kart engine
1Unleaded gasolineused as the clean baseline, combustion chamber cleaned before switching to aviation fuel, no lead deposits reportednot testednot testednot testednot testednot tested
2100LL Avgas 100 octane low lead aviation fuelnot testedspark plug showed a much lighter color than typical from visible lead, clumps of lead build up found near the spark plug, intake valve, and exhaust valve inside the cylinder headengine initially ran very rich to the point it would not idle until the air fuel ratio was adjusted leaner, after which it ran a lot better; target was to beat a baseline top speed of 29 mph but the resulting top speed on avgas is not stated in the transcripttested under an applied load per the video chapters, over 4,000 watts, outcome not detailed in the transcriptengine ran successfully on the aviation fuel, host called it really cool to see it run on avgasran too rich on aviation fuel and had to be leaned out

How it was tested

  • visual lead buildup inspection on spark plug and combustion chamber
  • compression test
  • running characteristics and top speed test in a Predator 212 engine
  • load test in a fuel injected generator
  • running a Wankel rotary engine with a see through cover
  • flame color comparison in a see through cylinder head engine

Now, I definitely don't recommend using aviation fuel in your car just because it's going to cause problems for the catalytic converter and probably the sensors as well.

From the test video verdict.

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