Incredible change in D2 using Chevron gasoline

[davran]

All,

Recently a friend who hauls gasoline for a living told me that Husky, and therefore Mohawk and Co-op use an older fuel-additive package, and are not a "Top Tier" gasoline. Doing some research I think that MMT -- containing manganese -- may be part of that older package. This was fine for carbureted engines, but not for oxygen sensors and cats and such.

I looked up Top Tier gasolines, and these are fuel companies recommended by BMW, Toyota, GM, and other to run in their cars; here's link to those fuel companies:

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

So, with 1/8th of a tank I filled my D2 with Chevron 94 (it's only 3cents a litre more than 91 octane), and the difference in engine performance compared to 91 octane -- fuel from a Vancouver Island fuel distributor which is very co-operative -- was dramatic. I thought I might just be fooling myself, but I had Cyndi try the truck and she asked what i'd done to the engine, as it felt more powerful.

So, might I have to replace the oxygen sensors now using a cleaner gasoline? Has anyone else noticed this difference in fuel?

I am not an engineer; this is only my personal experience.

[Greg S]

Different performance? Better?

You explained it yourself, higher octane; nothing else needs to be said. No indication the additives made a difference because you didn't do an equal comparison.

[davran]

Greg,

Yes, I should have compared the two fuels of the same octane, but the check engine light went out after half a tank of the Chevron, and the Disco feels like it has a new engine. I've been fighting that light for a year now; the last time it was scanned it the code was for secondary air injection, but my D2 doesn't have that feature.

I was wondering too about the difference in octane. I have been using co-op 91 ever since I got the truck, with one trial of 87, but the engine was definitely not happy with that (though I didn't feel a change in power, just knocking). The D2 engine is rated for 91, but I don't know how far the fuel injection changes with higher octane.

I won't burn any gas into a fuel-enjected engine now except what's on that top-tier list, unless I have no other choice. In carbureted engines it might not matter. I just wanted to relay my experinece.

[exmod90]

just curious ... how much is chevron 94 octane on southern vcr island ?

here in beautiful prince george , it's 149.9 per litre [ as of yesterday pm ] .

gerry b

[davran]

Gerry, it's 149.9 in Sidney. So, it makes a tank cost about $20 more than regular, but I'm getting a bit better fuel mileage which it makes it a little less painful. It's the difference in engine performance and the check engine light going out that has me quite happy.

[exmod90]

thanks for replying .

if you are pleased with the results ... it's all good !!!!!!!

gerry

[Greg S]

I did the same, went from my Co-op diesel that's supposed to be part bio, to Shell Premium diesel with extra additive concocted in their laboratories to make it burn like magic. What a marvel of modern technology! I get two miles per gallon poorer economy now but this is offset by a 12 cent per litre higher cost.

I'll be back at the Co-op for my next tank.

[davran]

A manually-injected, diesel D90 would probably happily run mule piss :) I used Co-op diesel in my VW tdi for years, but the D2 is not amused with it. I wish it was.

I'm doing reasearch on Co-op fuels to see exactly where it's from and what the additive package is.

See you Saturnday,

[jeepingpw]

While it's true that different oil companys put in their own additives, the basic fuel all comes from the same tap.

At the terminal in Kamloops, fuel comes from the different refineries from Alberta (Co-Op, Esso, Perto Can).
On the Coast, most fuel comes from off shore such as South America.

When trucks are loaded the carrier selects the Company he is hauling for & the fuel is automatically injected with that companies additives.
Eg: Chevron adds Tectrolin & Husky adds Ethenal.

You are noticing a diference because of the higher octane.
Chevron is the only Company that has gas over 91 octane.

Husky adds Ethenal which doesn't burn well in some cars, especially in high performance engines. Put it in a snowmobile & you have a good chance of blowing the engine.

Heres the main problem, the Gov't is now mandating that all gasoline have at least 5% Ethenal. This was supposed to be law last summer, but still hasen't been put in place.

Now for Diesel.
It also comes from the same tap with one exception.
In Kamloops, Esso rails their diesel in from Alberta because of the sulpher contamination in their pipe line.
Last fall when the Co-Op refinery had a fire & Petro Can's refiners were down, everyone in Kamloops was delivering Esso diesel.

The new Ultra Low Sulpher diesel doesn't work well in older diesels because of the lack of sulpher to lubricate.

The Gov't makes everyone to now add Bio diesel to there fuel.
But...
It is only during the warmer months March to Sept.
It was found that the Bio Diesel absorbes water at a high rate.
Peoples furnace oil tanks were rusting out within 1 year.
Also the Bio Diesel jells at a much higher temp.

[davran]

Thanks for the info.

I ran a mix of co-op diesel and re-refined restaurant grease -- from cowichan biodiesel co-op -- in my VW tdi for years, and the car ran great. I did have to change the fuel filter more often because of the extra moisture the biodiesel wicked, but even in the winter I ran 20% biodiesel.

[pragsy]

Not to be a buzz kill but I recently did a road trip with my D2. Did a tank on 94 chevron with 45 PSI in the tires. Then did a tank on 87 petro can and 35 PSI tires. Guess what the milage difference was? 0

[D2000]

I don't see any difference in mileage between 89 and 92 octane in my discoII.
I usually run 92 octane as I "think" it runs a little better.
The one time I ran 87 octane I did notice a little pinging (was also in the summer – hot week – loaded vehicle).

As for different brands of fuel - I have never noticed any difference in any vehicles I have owned.