Date: | Fri, 15 May 2015 15:49:59 -0400 |
Reply-To: | Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> |
Sender: | Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> |
From: | Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> |
Subject: | Re: Gas - Cheap vs Expensive |
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In-Reply-To: | <CAOBs5F5Z+931NCY4S=K4E-U-ep9-4C5tv7CMm0T3sQFU1sNaNg@mail.gmail.com> |
Content-Type: | text/plain; charset="UTF-8" |
I generally use regular grade and whatever brand is convenient and lowest cost. I have had some bad gas experience with off brands but in general most normal gasoline will do the job.
Short of an engine modification how does one do a "compression" adjustment. And normally valve adjustments should not be required unless a "repair" is needed.
The carbon build up and stuff that is often referred to with fuel injected engines comes from the fuel vaporizing behind the intake valve and leaving deposits behind. This has little to do with actual dirt in the fuel system of injectors. These deposits when thick enough can cause a number of operational problems especially during cold operation as the fuel can be absorbed instead of vaporizing causing all sorts of cold engine performance problems. When really bad they can also cause problems during normal operation. Deposits are also caused by engine oil being sucked down worn valve guides especially when they are missing the stem deflectors. Excess carbon the pistons and the inside of the heads can cause hot spots and increase detonation so sometimes older engines may benefit from higher octane fuel. Sometimes! High loads, speeds, use of AC and other situations may bring the engine to the point of ping but normally regular grade (87) should do the job.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of PB
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2015 2:24 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Fwd: Gas - Cheap vs Expensive
About a year and a half ago there was a thread about which gasoline to use. If I remember right, there was a general consensus that Vanagons were made to use cheap gas, so I immediately switched from 91 octane Costco gas <http://blog.modbargains.com/what-is-top-tier-gas-and-why-it-matters-its-at-costco/>
to 87.
A few weeks ago, after a tuneup and compression adjustment in all 4 cylinders, my mechanic, Bela, told me I was using "BAD GAS." He told me that Costco gas was BAD, and would ruin the cylinders, and that I needed to use 91 (89 at the lowest) octane *MOBIL* gas for the best performance. (Mobil gas is extremely high-priced, and averages $.3
5
- $1.00 per gallon above all other brands.) OK. So I switched to Mobil
91 octane - for my van ONLY, and I actually have been getting better mileage. (Had to use Gas Buddy to find the lowest priced Mobil, which is on my daily route, and pay cash to avoid credit card surcharge .)
Yesterday, I noticed the dog-eared stickers on my passenger door, and was able to see that 91 octane was recommended when the vehicle was made <http://s74.photobucket.com/user/edtech2000/media/Westy%20Sticker%2091%20Octane.jpg.html>!
Another online source
<https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5572227> suggests that cheap gas is OK if you supplement with a fuel cleaner every few tanks.
Does anyone agree that cheap gas is OK if used with fuel cleaners? What about Mobil vs other brands?
Patti
9 Westy Automatic
Los Angeles
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