Gasoline question

[kidiekat]

I put this on the wrong place.  oooops

 

[Spirituallifetime]

Every thing you need to know about octane. The octane rating is listed on the pump, it will tell you what octane that unleaded, mid grade and premium is at. Here in Nevada unleaded is usually at 85. It is best to use the octane that is recommended for the vehicle, if you don't know that then you will know if&nbsp;the gas you are using is to low when going up a hill or accelerating the engine will make a knocking sound this indicates that you need to use the next higher octane rating.<br>Higher octane gas does not increase performance it just prevents pre detonation, the cylinders in the engine get to hot and causes the gas to ignite before the spark plug fires.&nbsp;Pre detonation pushes on the piston in the&nbsp;engine before it is ready to be pushed down causing the knocking sound, this can cause damage to the internal components of the engine.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 

[MK7]

If your van requires only 85 oct, 87 would be fine and the cheapest. 93 oct is the premium, very expensive and will actually make you lose gas mileage in a stock timing van.<br>&nbsp;<br>Unless the motor starts pinging/knocking (especially going up hills, big mountains, gassing it hard...usually in hot weather w/AC on)....then you need to go with higher octane fuel. Pump in as much of 93 octane first to mix it with the 87. If the pinging stops, try the 89 octane at next fill-up. Pinging is detonation and can lead to serious engine damage. That's like $2000-3000 or more to fix.

 

[Spirituallifetime]

<span id="post_message_1278506511">Oh yes.&nbsp; Do I put the additive in and then fill the tank?&nbsp; Do I do a stop and go, stop and go to mix it up in the tank.&nbsp;&nbsp; I know this may sound like a dumb question but I don't know if the additive will work like osmosis and automatically mix in the tank or need to be stirred some how. <br>lol, yes you can laugh, I just want to do it right.</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<br><br>When I put additives in the gas tank I put it in first and then fill the gas tank, this will mix it enough to work. The only additives I use are a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">fuel injector cleaner</span> every other month or so to keep the fuel system clean.

 

[MK7]

Putting in fuel injector cleaner every other month is WAY TOO MUCH. It's mostly paint thinner. You'll dry up the o-ring in one or more fuel injectors for one (maybe other parts too), and fuel will seep out, causing a puddle(s) in your engine bay = serious fire hazard. You'll smell it too. <br><br>This is exactly what happened to one of my Mustangs and I only put in a bottle a month. It was about 8 years old and had 140,000 miles. I think 3x a year is plenty. You're supposed to change the fuel filter every year (the right way to keep the fuel system clean + good MPG).<br><br><br>

 

[Van-Tramp]

The bottle of Seafoam will have instructions on how best to use it. In the fuel system, I believe you put a full bottle in the tank before a short-fill of fuel (8 gallons or so) and run through that fuel over a few days.<br><br>You can also add it to your oil to clean up gunk there and even suck it in through vacuum line to clean your intake an emissions equipment. For that step, you may want to talk to someone who knows a bit more about your engine, but I wouldn't fret much about doing it unless you car is pretty old (I do that step on my 1978 Datsun but not my 1989 van).<br><br>Seafoam is my #1 step in troubleshooting an running ill motor.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

A vehicle, especially one pulling a trailer, can run fine on regular on level ground, but develop an engine knock trying to pull it up a mountain. A trick for dealing with this is to get a tow vehicle with dual fuel tanks, like a lot of pick up trucks have. One tank is left full of high test. When going up a mountain, if the engine starts to knock, just flip the dash switch and change over to the high test.

Regards
John

 

[highdesertranger]

as far as gas goes,&nbsp; gas is gas the only difference from station to station is the additives or lack of.&nbsp;&nbsp; I worked for an oil field maintenance company as a road mechanic(I would go onsite and repair vehicles and equipment).&nbsp; this took me inside the refineries several times,&nbsp; no matter who's refinery I was in, &nbsp;there would be tanker trucks from all the different stations filling up.&nbsp; so if someone wants to pay more for brand x that's their business but it's the same as brand y.&nbsp; another thing computer controlled vehicles should not ping or knock no matter the octane because the computer retards the timing to prevent the ping.&nbsp; if your vehicle pings and it's computer controlled you have another problem not low octane gas.&nbsp; last note, &nbsp;only high performance engines need premium gas check your owners manual if you don't have one you can find them online.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[kidiekat]

thank you spirituallifetime.&nbsp; good info and help.&nbsp; I'm trying, I guess that is what counts.&nbsp; lol<br><br>Wow I definitely don't want pinging in the engine.&nbsp; All that from the wrong gas........

 

[Zil]

Pinging. Sounds like a crate of Coke bottles rattling. If your engine senses this it retards your timing to compensate. If this is happening then your fuel mileage suffers. If it is enough to make a $ difference, maybe not. Yes, all gasoline is the same. The additives make the product. I don't shop discount stations. There is a reason the additives are in the fuel. Search "Top Tier Gas" and read more than one result, make up your own mind.

 

[kidiekat]

Thank you zil I am going to google "top tier gas" and read.....<br>This has been educational....&nbsp; wheew.

 

[Zil]

I see you are in Md. <br>Wawa guarantees their gasoline and will pay for any related repairs.

 

[Guest]

Sounds like a crate of Coke bottles rattling.

<br><br>Coke bottles are plastic and do not come in a crate.<img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif">

 

[kidiekat]

Zil yes, I am in MD.&nbsp; Hope to be on the road sooooooooon drats.&nbsp; Too much junk to get rid of.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wawa always has the better price when it comes to buying gas.&nbsp; It is nice to know they stand behind it.<br><br>Years ago coke bottles were glass and were returnable for 2 cents or a nickle each.&nbsp;&nbsp; I remember that and the rattling. lol<br><br>thanks

 

[highdesertranger]

is wawa really a brand of gas?&nbsp; never heard of it out west.&nbsp;&nbsp; I think funny face must be a young one and doesn't live close to a latin American immigrant population.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[kidiekat]

highdesertranger..... WaWa is a gas station, large, large, large.&nbsp; Has food, drinks, cook fresh sandwiches, the whole nine yards.&nbsp; Every where in Md.&nbsp; Don't know about other states since I have been sticks and bricks and no travel for a few years now.

 

[kidiekat]

Okay I like the little face but have no idea of who to address. lol&nbsp; Still learning this stuff.&nbsp; A hundred years ago.&nbsp; Coke bottles were glass.&nbsp; I remember paying a nickle for the small bottle and they did rattle.&nbsp; It is a faint memory but I can pull some of it back.<br><br>highdesertranger.&nbsp; I did a google search on my van.&nbsp; 25 gallon tank and it said regular unleaded.&nbsp; Took me forever but I finally found a spec page.&nbsp;&nbsp; I did read a page on the e85 that was used in these cars but if I understand what I have read correctly the last year for it was 2006.&nbsp; I hope I have that right.&nbsp; I finally read the wheel base. 121.1 inches.&nbsp;<p>Engine &amp; Performance</p><table class="items"><tbody><tr><td><label>BASE ENGINE SIZE</label> <span> 3.9 L</span></td><td><label>CAM TYPE</label> <span> Overhead valves (OHV)</span></td></tr><tr><td><label>CYLINDERS</label> <span> V6</span></td><td><label>VALVES</label> <span> 12</span></td></tr><tr><td><label>VALVE TIMING</label> <span> Variable</span></td><td><label>TORQUE</label> <span> 240 ft-lbs. @ 4800 rpm</span></td></tr><tr><td><label>HORSEPOWER</label> <span> 240 hp @ 6000 rpm</span></td><td><label>TURNING CIRCLE</label> <span> 41.0 ft<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br></span></td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[kidiekat]

So the wrong gas will affect......&nbsp; the valves, or the cylinders.&nbsp; I think some one called them pistons????&nbsp; Is that the same as cylinders?<br>So if I do a gas treatment (needed or not) every 4 months that is a good maintenance plan?&nbsp; Even if I use the 87% octane gas?<br>thanks

 

[Van-Tramp]

You are safe to use 85 or 87 octane fuel. Any brand you want. Go ahead and use that fuel treatment every 4-6 months to keep everything clean and you're valves, pistons, and cylinders will all be happy.<br><br>The "Variable Valve Timing" will automatially adjust your motor to run at it's best no matter the octane level or the driving conditions. You will never hear this engine 'ping'.

 

[kidiekat]

Thank you Van Tramp.&nbsp; I appreciate all the information.&nbsp; I was reading on another line about improving gas mileage.&nbsp; Whew some of it is just over my head.&nbsp; No correct that, most of it is over my head. lol<br>So I have valves, pistons and cylinders and these things are all different parts of the engine not just the same thing with different names?&nbsp; Holy cow.&nbsp; <br>Thanks again.