Devil Track Lake General Store MN

[snowfish]

Caution about purchasing fuel at Devil Track General Store, by Skyport Lodge, on the Gunflint trail.
We experienced over heating due to possible detonation after fueling there. Same sleds, even with taller tracks, Did Not experience over heating with fuel purchased elsewhere.
Our sleds, after fueling at a different stop, did not over heat when riding in the same conditions.
Not sure what they're selling at the Devil Track General Store. Say's 91 octane. Very questionable.
After the fact, some locals warned about the fuel at Devil Track General store.
Anyone else experience problems with that fuel?

 

[old abe]

Good job at getting out the info!!! Bad fuel leads to a bad deal!!! Thank goodness for the tech/knock sensors.

 

[Tracker]

hey...just a tip....no matter where I fuel...except a large city and brand name gas....I ALWAYS....ALWAYS.....pour half a bottle of ICE-NOX iso into the tank and you will never have this problem again....unless there is SO MUCH water then it will do it again...its this...every tank....like clockwork

 

[snowfish]

Good job at getting out the info!!! Bad fuel leads to a bad deal!!! Thank goodness for the tech/knock sensors.

Even a 2016 600 E-Tech had over heating issues. I guess the computer couldn't quite compensate. The 2005 Rev carb was Really struggling.
2015 Renegade BackCountry, with 1 3/4 lug, no issues with fuel Not from the Devil gas station.

 

[Tracker]

Even a 2016 600 E-Tech had over heating issues. I guess the computer couldn't quite compensate. The 2005 Rev carb was Really struggling.
2015 Renegade BackCountry, with 1 3/4 lug, no issues with fuel Not from the Devil gas station.

my cat flashes LOW OCTANE on the gauge....do doo's???? and within seconds of starting up

- - - Updated - - -

SNOWFISH I go to the BWCA in the summer and leave outta VOYAGERS OUTFITTERS....http://www.canoeit.com/

can ya sled up to there and beyond in there or what?

 

[xcr440]

can ya sled up to there and beyond in there or what?

NO.

 

[Tracker]

NO.

I was asking SNOWFISH since it appears he actually rides there....and this is from the web site...so it might be YES

Snowmobile
Snowmobile adventures are a great way to explore the wilderness. Travel into Canada on their trail system, cruise down logging roads or take the leisure snowmobile trail on the Gunflint Trail for a day. We can arrange a guide for a day or as many days as you would like to explore this vast wilderness.

 

[snowfish]

None of the e-tec riders mentioned a low octane light. Mines a 4 stroke, so I didn't notice any change in fuel.
It's the 2 strokes, especially carb models, that are the most octane sensitive.

Yes the trail goes right by your boundary water entry point.

http://www.boreal.org/RidgeRiders/snowmobile-map.pdf

I have not been beyond the Gunflint trail. The trail does go all the way to Saganaga and beyond into Canada.
Grooming north of Gunflint lake is a lower priority. Got pretty choppy this past weekend. We turned around a couple miles in to get back to the carpets.

Fuel up there is far and few in between. I can't believe Devil Track General Store would play around selling miss marked fuel.
More comments about the fuel at Devil Track General store is very welcome.

 

[xcr440]

I was asking SNOWFISH since it appears he actually rides there....and this is from the web site...so it might be YES

Snowmobile
Snowmobile adventures are a great way to explore the wilderness. Travel into Canada on their trail system, cruise down logging roads or take the leisure snowmobile trail on the Gunflint Trail for a day. We can arrange a guide for a day or as many days as you would like to explore this vast wilderness.

I guess I was referring to the BWCA - I have ridden up there, and they don't want you in the BWCA. You certainly can venture into Canada if you choose (As Snowfish pointed out).

I've been lucky with the fuel at Devil's Track General Store, but if at all possible, I take the dive into Grand Marais to fill up at the big stores, especially late in the season. A couple blocks of grinding into town is worth it to me.

 

[Tracker]

None of the e-tec riders mentioned a low octane light. Mines a 4 stroke, so I didn't notice any change in fuel.
It's the 2 strokes, especially carb models, that are the most octane sensitive.

Yes the trail goes right by your boundary water entry point.

http://www.boreal.org/RidgeRiders/snowmobile-map.pdf



I have not been beyond the Gunflint trail. The trail does go all the way to Saganaga and beyond into Canada.
Grooming north of Gunflint lake is a lower priority. Got pretty choppy this past weekend. We turned around a couple miles in to get back to the carpets.

Fuel up there is far and few in between. I can't believe Devil Track General Store would play around selling miss marked fuel.
More comments about the fuel at Devil Track General store is very welcome.

o sweet....it looks like I can ride to AMERICAN POINT....that's the dotted line right? at the end?....and the restaurant that was called the halfway, that's at blueberry road with the PARKING symbol? unless its now the black bear restaurant? so VOYAGERS must be the last P then eh? wonder how deep it is in the woods and on portages?

 

[Tracker]

I guess I was referring to the BWCA - I have ridden up there, and they don't want you in the BWCA. You certainly can venture into Canada if you choose (As Snowfish pointed out).

I've been lucky with the fuel at Devil's Track General Store, but if at all possible, I take the dive into Grand Marais to fill up at the big stores, especially late in the season. A couple blocks of grinding into town is worth it to me.

well it appears I can go up the dotted lines and then right or left off that as far as American point...and I think all that's in the BWCA....but I will ask mike prom at voyagers if that's correct...I wanna get to here....LOL

 

[snowfish]

Nothing is on the Blue Berry Road. You must be thinking about something else.
Good fuel can be had at Trail Center, Hungry Jacks, or Grand Marais. Towards Grand Portage only fuel is grinding down to the Grand Portage Casino, or up to Rydens. Great ride to Rydens by the way.

Like I said, no idea what it's like north of the Gunflint end. Last weekend the snow was getting pretty skinny up to Gunflint lake. May be one or two more weekends left around Devil Track. They may groom again if things cool down again. Trail will be very hard in the morning with the misty rain falling now.

For me, the season is done. If you're running a 4 stroke, fuel at the Devil Track General Store should be fine. My XF7000 swallowed it fine. Two Strokes I would not chance it. Bringing cans, and fueling at Trail Center or Grand Marais, would be the safest.

In past years I have fueled my 2 strokes, at the Devil store, with no issues. This was the first year there was problems. Even the locals warn about that store. Two strokers beware.

Still courious if anyone else has experience fuel related issues from Devil Track General store.

 

[ddhanna]

hey...just a tip....no matter where I fuel...except a large city and brand name gas....I ALWAYS....ALWAYS.....pour half a bottle of ICE-NOX iso into the tank and you will never have this problem again....unless there is SO MUCH water then it will do it again...its this...every tank....like clockwork

The OP stated he suspected detonation. This would result from low octane fuel, not water which is what ICE-NOX treats. Isopropyl is great for fuel line freezing but does not boost octane. Just a tip, buy your isopropyl (get the 91%) at WalMart pharmacy and save about half off automotive brands.

 

[mngolf4]

Just curious - who sells/carries Nox-Ice? First I've heard of this product.

 

[Tracker]

The OP stated he suspected detonation. This would result from low octane fuel, not water which is what ICE-NOX treats. Isopropyl is great for fuel line freezing but does not boost octane. Just a tip, buy your isopropyl (get the 91%) at WalMart pharmacy and save about half off automotive brands.

no dig...but what do you think happens to the octane if you add water...it raises or lowers or remains the same...I hate to tell you this but it LOWERS OCTANE.....iso can and will raise it 1 point....1 bottle = 1 point octane....I have run on pure WHITE GAS or LATERN FUEL....ISO and ALKYHOL....and WHISKEY in a pinch...it all raises or lowers octane levels

PS....mngolf4....HEET is the same thing but theres one for carbs and one for EFI systems....I use a different one than those 2 but I prefer NOX-ICE....you can get it anywhere....

and while we are on the subject....this is THE BEST additive ever...I use this also whenever I can find it....its in chevron gas out west and your sled will absolutely love it in elevations and perform spotlessly....bad gas is a thing of the past with these things

 

[old abe]

K 100 fuel treatment is now used by many Marine service centers. Stabilizes, and enhances octane (refresh), and suspends water to apoint of delution. There are many different forms of alcohol/make ups. And yes alcohol will some what enhance octane. Gasoline blenders use ethanol to increase lower "grade" octane gasoline to the graded standards. Nox-Ice has been around since 1960s????, It is Isopropyl alcohol. The "Yellow Heat "is methanol, the "Red Heat" isopropyl. Isopropyl will suspend water to a point of delution. And for TRACKER, you do know ethanol is the drinkable form of alcohol??????????????

 

[snowfish]

Thanks Old Abe.
K100 seems to be the Only fuel treatment to do it all. Eliminate water, prevent/correct phase separation, clean, stabilize, and boost octane.
When checking out the msds sheets for Sea Foam, Nox-Ice, Heet, & Techron, K100 is clearly a superior product. The K100 promotional videos are just icing on the cake.
I traditionally buy Techron by the case at Costco. But for some of our questionable fuel stops, the "your price will be calculated at the bar" places, K100 will now be added to my bag of tricks.
Devil Track General store MN is one of those places. Beware.

 

[old abe]

Thanks Old Abe.
K100 seems to be the Only fuel treatment to do it all. Eliminate water, prevent/correct phase separation, clean, stabilize, and boost octane.
When checking out the msds sheets for Sea Foam, Nox-Ice, Heet, & Techron, K100 is clearly a superior product. The K100 promotional videos are just icing on the cake.
I traditionally buy Techron by the case at Costco. But for some of our questionable fuel stops, the "your price will be calculated at the bar" places, K100 will now be added to my bag of tricks.
Devil Track General store MN is one of those places. Beware.

My very good friend, and snowmobile/boat/motor dealer turned me on to the K100 product. Very high quality product, and has different forms for what the use is for. Prior to that he was pretty strong on "StarTron" additive. I have used a lot of the "StarTron" and have had excellent results. It seems to "refresh" the fuel also. But I have not looked in to the StarTron tech/spec sheets.

 

[Tracker]

fellas....TECHRON is a TOP TIER ADDITIVE.....is K100 top tier snowfish....if its is....only then would it be deemed good or better....unfortunately I think not...but....I might work I have not tried it...I don't see K100 listed....but technoline (techron) is...maybe I don't see it...where is it listed


For other vehicles, he and another source said that periodic use of a concentrated engine cleaner every 100,000 miles will "often" clean out carbon buildup.[23] However, journalist and automotive mechanics instructor Jim Kerr says that with some brands of gasoline, deposits can build up on intake valves in less than 10,000 kilometres (6200 miles).[6] And General Motors fuels engineer Andrew Buczynsky says the various engine-cleaning additives available at auto-parts stores should be used with caution. He said some work but most don't, and that care must be taken when using these additives because some may contaminate the catalytic converter. Also, if too much is used, the additive may cling to valve stems and cause them to hang open.[4]


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Tier_Detergent_Gasoline

 

[snowfish]

Techron is definitely good stuff. I will continue to buy it by the case at Costco.
Techron does not claim to have water absorbing properties, fuel stabilizing properties, or to boost octane. It's a cleaner.
I've used Sea Foam because it has good moisture absorbing properties, appears to stabilize fuel well, and has good cleaning properties. Does not claim to boost octane.
Stabil Storage has been used until carburetor bowl goo was observed. It's a stabilizer. It does not claim to clean or boost octane.
Sea Foam did not produce the same goo. It's a cleaner. Sea foam does not claim to boost octane.
Startron I have no experience with. Claims to be a fuel stabilizer, moisture absorbing, and perhaps a cleaner as well. Does not claim to boost octane.
K100 claims to absorb moisture, clean, stabilize, and boost octane. Check out the videos. You'll recognize the other products being compared.
I'm not one to become a victim of advertising. I'll do my own research, testing, and seek council from those in the industry.

Techron Is the only Top Tier rated one in the bunch. It's blended with some fuels right out of the pump. Yet, it's a cleaner and that's it.

I have a gut feeling that straight up Techron, added to substandard fuel, would only enhance the cleaning properties that the detonation has already started.
It's a shame that we have to be so gun shy about fuel out in the boonies. Why would these places want to cut their own throat? We've seen threads about Upper Peninsula fuel establishments as well.

Most correct answer is to only burn Top Tier 91 octane non-oxygenated fuel. Especially on carburated sleds jetted to run 91 octane. Preferably with Techron, or Techron added. Fuel injected, and 4 strokes, are way less finicky on what they will swallow.

When we need to fuel at a questionable establishment, by necessity, the K100 appears to be the best insurance until we can get the good stuff once again. More research to follow........................