Don't mix up fuel/oil mix.

The first thing you must remember about the M17 decon is that oil must be mixed with its gasoline. If you forget and run just straight gas through the engine, you'll soon need a new engine.

But fuel matters are complicated even more because the M17 uses two different engines with two different fuel/oil mixtures. If you use the wrong mixture, you'll also need a new engine.

If you have M17s in your unit with different engines, here's how to keep the fuel/oil mixtures straight. The JLO engines have silver fan guards, so paint the tops of their fuel cans silver or white. For the JLO, mix one quart of oil per five gallons of MOGAS.

The Cuyuna engines have black fan guards, so paint the tops of their fuel cans black. For the Cuyuna, mix one pint of oil per five gallons of MOGAS.

Mix the fuel and oil in the fuel cans before you go to the field. But remember when it's time to use a fuel can, you must shake it to mix the fuel and oil. That creates pressure inside the can, so open the lid slowly with the opening pointing away from you. Otherwise, you could take a MOGAS bath.

If your unit has M17s with JLO engines, you might want to get the JLOs replaced with Cuyunas. There are few replacement parts in supply for the JLO. To get a new Cuyuna engine along with a mounting kit, order NSN 2805-01-357-6566.