How were the small engine fuel options tested?

Each option was put through: attempt to start and run a small lawnmower engine on the RC racing fuel (30% mix) alone; attempt to run the engine on the fuel's vapor alone, informed by the MSDS vapor pressure reading; qualitative performance check using the engine's brake/flywheel drag mechanism (no horsepower measurement equipment available); attempt to run the engine on a 50% RC racing fuel / 50% gasoline mix.

Where can I watch the full test?

The complete hands-on test video is on the original creator's channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3flhIViGvKU

Myth test1 productsFuel & Additives

Small Engine Fuel: The Test Results

A head-to-head test of 1 small engine fuel options with the measured results for each. See how they ranked and watch the full test video.

The verdict

Ranked first

RC Racing Fuel

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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.

Product	Composition	Flashpoint	Vapor Pressure	Run On Pure Fuel Attempt	Run On Vapor Attempt	Final Working Mix	Performance On Final Mix	Engine Condition
1RC Racing Fuel	per the MSDS, a complex combination of hydrocarbons (99.9%) plus less than 0.02% motor fuel anti-knock compound; the narrator separately notes it contains about 9% oil. The specific bottle tested is a 30% mix; the narrator notes other strengths exist too, maybe 15 or 20 percent or even stronger versions	22 degrees Celsius (71.6 degrees Fahrenheit) per the MSDS	less than 1,137 mmHg per the MSDS	the small lawnmower engine would not run on the RC racing fuel alone without help; the narrator had to build a makeshift choke to force enough fuel into the engine to get it started	did not run on fuel vapor alone; consistent with the MSDS note that this fuel does not vaporize easily, unlike gasoline	50% RC racing fuel and 50% gasoline (gasoline added because it is very volatile and vaporizes quickly)	once running on the 50/50 mix, the engine ran really well; the narrator measured performance qualitatively using the engine's brake/flywheel drag mechanism (no horsepower measuring equipment available)	a lot of visible smoke during operation, but the narrator observed very little buildup inside the engine afterward, which he attributes to the RC fuel's 9% oil content acting as a lubricant

How it was tested

attempt to start and run a small lawnmower engine on the RC racing fuel (30% mix) alone
attempt to run the engine on the fuel's vapor alone, informed by the MSDS vapor pressure reading
qualitative performance check using the engine's brake/flywheel drag mechanism (no horsepower measurement equipment available)
attempt to run the engine on a 50% RC racing fuel / 50% gasoline mix

Data notes and caveats

Single-product myth-test/experiment (does a gas engine run on RC racing fuel), not a brand-vs-brand comparison, so winner/runnerUp/budgetPick are all null by design. No price is mentioned for the fuel anywhere in the transcript.

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