Date: Sun, 15 Dec 2013 11:28:13 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Organization: Cosmic Reminders
Subject: Re: Gas question, seriously folks
In-Reply-To: <BAY179-DS11C2266DE69C18570F01CBA0D90@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I mostly agree.
I would say it won't hurt to run some Stabil fuel stablizer in the tank
if the van is sitting around much in winter..
and I also *swear by* Seafoam fuel treatment.
I've had that stuff make a 1970 carbed mercedes idle nicely when the
poor old car would not idle well due to tiny idle jets being gunked up
for years ..and Seafoam fixed it easily.
'hold pressure' ...I've never noticed any vanagon gas cap suck or whoosh
when the cap is removed.
sure , closed fuel system with evap system on it ..yes, but
I personally wouldn't quite say they 'hold pressure.'
And some high quality fuel system treatment added now and then is a very
good thing.
When get a used old near-dead vanagon ..
it gets seafoam in the tank right away as standard 'try to compensate
and make up for all the abuse the poor thing has suffered over the years. '
btw ..*anytime* a fuel filter is removed is should be emptied out
backwards to see what's in it.
I find these four things in them sometimes ( gas or diesel )
water ...
rust particles..
tiny pieces of dirt..
and minute shinny metal particles.
and water gets in fuel this time of the year.
and water in gasoline can look like the weirdest symptoms
....intermittantyl odd or poor performance etc.
in the early days of aviation gasoline was poured through a chamois
cloth ...that separated out any water.
Water in aviation fuel in an aircraft has killed people, many times.
Seafoam ..believe in it. ! lol :-)
I do anyway.
Scott
On 12/15/2013 11:05 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> Yes your van should be able to run just fine on regular fuel. There is no
> harm or fowl in using a higher octane except for the slightly increased
> cost. If your ignition timing has been over advanced because it feels better
> or what have you then a higher octane fuel should be considered.
>
> As for fuel stabilizer, marine, hot rods, and small engines tend to have
> fuel systems that are open vented. Sometimes as simple as a hole in the cap.
> Here the fuel volatiles, (the stuff that burns) evaporates and with
> temperature changes air with moisture and all gets sucked in. The fuel
> system on tour van is a closed system and it should hold pressure to reduce
> both of these problems. For 3 to 6 months you should not have problems with
> fuel going bad. If unsure, have the "evap" system tested and you should be
> good to go.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Eric Caron
> Sent: Saturday, December 14, 2013 1:36 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Gas question, seriously folks
>
> Hi listers,
>
> I have a few gas related questions.
>
> I've been told by most folks that using regular in my van is the way to go.
> But I've also read about concerns about lower octane in regular due to the
> ethanol additives. So other then higher cost per gallon would I have a
> healthier engine, more power, and or better gas mileage running premium gas?
> Is there any harm in running it?
>
> I recently met a man with many years in the auto business. While
> looking over his hot rod 1939 ford we somehow got on the topic of gas
> stabilizer. He suggested I use a product called Stable Blue in my vanagon
> all year to minimize the harm done by ethanol. Does anyone use this product
> and are there any risks or clear benefits to using it?
>
> Your thoughts on gas are greatly appreciated.
>
> Am I going to regret bringing up gas problems on a Friday? Who is our
> resident gas expert?
>
> Originally posted this yesterday, Friday the 13, but it didn't seem to get
> to the list.
>
> Eric Caron
> 85 Westfalia Auto
>
