Is it OK to mix brands of fuel? I have a little Tower fuel left over, 10% Nitro with some castor oil added (22% lubrication) and the LHS has a gallon of Wildcat Premium 15% but is only 16% oil. If I mix what I have the oil content will be just over 18%, which is what is recommended in the manual.

Thanks.

You should be fine mixing the two together.

I try to not mix fuels from two different bottles, even if they are the same brand. If you have a bit of fuel left in a jug and it has any moisture or debris in it the other jug of fuel will be ruined when you mix them together. Just fly the last bit of fuel out of the jug before opening the new jug of fuel. There really isn't any benefit from mixing them anyway.

Ken

I was just trying to compensate for the 16% oil content, which my manual says is not enough (says AT LEAST 18%). It's the only LHS around, so I wanted to support him and try to make it work (and not wait for shipping). Guess I'll give Tower a call.

The mix you are proposing and the reason is fine, you won,t have any trouble.

John

Works for me all the time. [8D] I still have some 8 cases of various fuels in the barn dating from Aug. 07 back to Aug. 02. I just figure out about what I want and I am not too particular except low nitro in Asp and ST .90 or larger and mix up whatever I think might be close to that need. Wood alcohol, some lubricants, castor and synthetic, and some nitro makes most turn the props.
Go fer it!

If you just want to add a bit more Castor, go down to the drug store and buy a bottle of castor there. It's a finer grade than use for fuel, and no aditives. Hang on to your check book though, It cost me about $6 for a 6 oz bottle. You might check with one of the club guys. A jug of castor was common stock at one time.

What engine are you running that requires 18% and is it for break in or standard requirement? Also, is the Wildcat fuel a mix of castor and synthetic or straight synthetic. If it is a blend, adding an ounce or two of castor will be OK. I would hesiatate if it is straight synthetic. Some synthetics are not good mixers with castor and the last thing you want is a jug of goop.

Let us know about the engine and fuel mix in the wildcat. It may be that it is good to go right out of the jug.

Don

Oil is the most expensive component in fuel and this is where the supplier will try to cut corners. If you are one who really likes to run those engines their hardest, adding castor to your typical LHS fuel will allow needle settings closer to peak. I usually add 4 ozs per gallon of store bought fuel. Sig castor is all you'll need, a quart will treat 8 gallons.
Since I began using castor, I don't bother with after run oils.
Mixing fuel from jug to jug is OK too, just be sure to use a good quality [and large capacity] filter in the jug.

The fuel at the LHS is Wildcat 15% nitro, 16% lubrication, 80/20 synthetic/castor. I have 1.5oz castor left from last batch, and I have 24oz of Tower Power (now 9%) nitro with 21% lubrication (synthetic with some castor I added). The OS manual says 18%lubrication is needed in general, not just for running-in.

I might just buy a new bottle of castor and add it. Mixing obviously would save me $6, otherwise I'll be paying $33 plus tax for a gallon of fuel, which is pretty steep.

Another question: the Wildcat fuel says it contains anti-rust additives and actually says not to use after run oil. Is this for real? Should I still use after run?

Kat, where in the world are you buying fuel that charges $33 a gallon? I've found that the local hobby shops are the best place to buy your fuel. I haven't bought any since last fall and it was like $19.95 a gallon then. I usually buy in case quanitys, not so much for any cost savings as they won't discount for a case or AMA membership, but for convenious. It's a 60 mile round trip to the shop I shop at and I don't go up there unless there is a good reason. Hey, 60 miles at 20mpg times $4.25 a gallon, that's $12.75. Trips are getting even fewer now. Buying from Tower is an expensive option as you have to pay special handling charges on the sipping of the fuel. I'm not sure what they are costing now, but I know that when I would order plating supplies for my customers 10 years back the "special handling" charges were a minimum of $40 a shipment. One gallon would end up really expensive at that rate. Check with your LHS and see what they will do for you with a case order.

One thing else you may check on, some clubs will go together and order a few cases at a time and get a decient discount.

I guess being able to stop at the local gas staation for a gallon of fuel and the local boat supply for a jug of Outboard motor oil is a good reason to go gas.

By the way, I think I saw you got off the cord today. Congrats.

Don