Engine problems --> Not use top tier gas
#26
I only put 91 Chevron or occasional Texaco always.
I will stick in some 97 Sunoco or 100 VP Racing Fuel for track days.
And a small bottle of Techron 1 or 2 times a month.
I have only put bad gas 3 times, all 3 times were an almost outta gas emergency and I only put $5 bucks in until I could make it to the next Chevron/Texaco. I also use Sunoco 93 which is not Top Tier but good gas nevertheless.
1. Outside Chicago traveling across US
2. At the Dragon
3. In Utah traveling across US
I will stick in some 97 Sunoco or 100 VP Racing Fuel for track days.
And a small bottle of Techron 1 or 2 times a month.
I have only put bad gas 3 times, all 3 times were an almost outta gas emergency and I only put $5 bucks in until I could make it to the next Chevron/Texaco. I also use Sunoco 93 which is not Top Tier but good gas nevertheless.
1. Outside Chicago traveling across US
2. At the Dragon
3. In Utah traveling across US
I have been driving a variety of German and Japanese vehicles for 20 years, I have always put in the cheapest possible gas of the correct octane. I have NEVER had a fuel problem, EVER.
#27
Did your dealer happen to elaborate as to what "their managment" considers to be: top tier fuel.
Because at the fuel depot here off the coast various tanker trucks pull up for loading from same tank source and then distribute that same fuel to 90 percent of every name brand station as well as every mom and pop gas station in this area......
And last I checked, the OM says high octane fuel yes ? and does not stipulate as to what brand of fuel we are to patronize.
Are they really taking apart the engine to "clean it" ? Are they removing the upper cylinder head ? Is the warranty covering this ?
Because at the fuel depot here off the coast various tanker trucks pull up for loading from same tank source and then distribute that same fuel to 90 percent of every name brand station as well as every mom and pop gas station in this area......
And last I checked, the OM says high octane fuel yes ? and does not stipulate as to what brand of fuel we are to patronize.
Are they really taking apart the engine to "clean it" ? Are they removing the upper cylinder head ? Is the warranty covering this ?
While the common gas tanker/pipeline is correct it is not the gas itself that is considered top tier it is the additive package. And that is added seperately from the gas in most cases.
#28
Thanks all for your feedback. Got my car back today and luckily they did not charge me a penny. I was told to stick to Sunoco gas, then Shell or Texaco (even though Sunoco US is not on the top tier list, only Sunoco Canada). They did inform me today that they replaced a fuel injector and a faulty high pressure fuel pump - can't imagine that was all due to *bad gas* but they didn't clarify for me and sent me on my way.
#30
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You knew the gas was bad, but put it in your car three different times anyway? How did you know to only put $5, and how did you know it was bad before you put it in?
I have been driving a variety of German and Japanese vehicles for 20 years, I have always put in the cheapest possible gas of the correct octane. I have NEVER had a fuel problem, EVER.
I have been driving a variety of German and Japanese vehicles for 20 years, I have always put in the cheapest possible gas of the correct octane. I have NEVER had a fuel problem, EVER.
I just really wish we had 93 or 94 octane here in CA.
Last edited by howsoonisnow1985; 02-25-2010 at 11:45 AM.
#31
My car only has about 12K miles on it (I commute on the internet). I haven't done the Seafoam yet, as I haven't noticed any degradation in engine performance. Seems that most reports of the problem are on cars with about 30K miles on them. So, I'm putting off the research and decision until later. I have been keeping an eye on the thread about Seafoam in the DIY Mods forum.
#32
I've had problems with BP in the past. My 1990 Integra is sensitive to ethanol content. It tends to cause it to die just after starting when warm, leaving me sitting in a parking lot with a car full of groceries. I've had this problem when using BP gas. When I only use Shell, the problem goes away.
#33
...and the brands that have top tier designation PAY for that designation. So, the gas you buy may be as good or better than the top tier brands, but it simply be a brand that does not PAY to participate in the top tier marketing.
I believe that the brands that participate in top tier are good brands, but don't assume that a brand not in top tier is an inferior brand.
I believe that the brands that participate in top tier are good brands, but don't assume that a brand not in top tier is an inferior brand.
#36
...and the brands that have top tier designation PAY for that designation. So, the gas you buy may be as good or better than the top tier brands, but it simply be a brand that does not PAY to participate in the top tier marketing.
I believe that the brands that participate in top tier are good brands, but don't assume that a brand not in top tier is an inferior brand.
I believe that the brands that participate in top tier are good brands, but don't assume that a brand not in top tier is an inferior brand.
Matt
#37
Here in Toronto I filled up(Premium fuel)at one of the stations that would not be considered as a top tier gas retailer. After running a short while, the check engine light came on. Took it to the dealer, they claimed it ruined the fuel rails and they were replaced under warranty. Since then I've only used Shell fuel, which in Ontario contains zero ethanol(vPower only), and have had no problems.
#38
#39
#40
#41
Lots areas have Shell gas with NO ethanol..............like mine.
You might want to do a little reading before making these kinds of erroneous statements.
#42
If the gas has contaminents, too much ethanol, not enough additives they can cause problems regardless of octane.
These are the problems with some of the off brands of gas....
#43
#44
Fair enough Bigshot, that makes sense. That's not something we have a problem with up here (since we pretty much only deal with Irving, Shell or Esso....plus I believe that something like 80% is produced by Irving or Esso across the whole Country, so it's a consistent blend), so other than the occasional water contaminated tank of bad gas, it's not something we think about.
Last edited by kemo; 03-01-2010 at 10:25 AM.
#45
Sounds like another creative way GM is trying to generate much-needed revenue. I would get goose bumps to think that anyone here really believes that GM's not bought and paid for by the oil companies, for spcifically recommending certain "brands" of gasoline as "top-tier"...PLEASE!! I believe that if corrupt corporate empires like GM and the oil company mobsters can capitalize on consumers' brand-identity inferiority-complexes, then those cunsumers deserve to pay unfair premiums for their naivety. ...Just like those who pay extra for Evian bottled water (which actually spells "naive" backwards)...
#47
While I sure that there is a marketing component to the whole Top Tier thing...
if you look at the history of why it came to be there was a real reason. The refiners wanted to save money and got the feds to lower the minimum detergent levels for gasoline. That is true. Auto manufacturers noticed an increase in gunk and warranty issues. That is true. They got together to do the Top Tier thing. If you get past all the BS, Top Tier requires two things:
Matt
- Not less than 8% and not more than 10% ethanol.
- Higher levels of detergents than the federal standard.
Matt
#48
You buy your gas at Mobil and Hess? Those ARENT top tier?
I get my gas anywhere, I never cared. Alot of time its the really crappy ones. I call complete BS on that. I have friends who told me that all gas stations get their gas from the same places. A friend told me he knew someone who delivered gas and he said they deliver all the same stuff to any station.
I dont care what they say, gasoline shouldn't gunk up an engine on a nearly new car.
I get my gas anywhere, I never cared. Alot of time its the really crappy ones. I call complete BS on that. I have friends who told me that all gas stations get their gas from the same places. A friend told me he knew someone who delivered gas and he said they deliver all the same stuff to any station.
I dont care what they say, gasoline shouldn't gunk up an engine on a nearly new car.
#49
The gas starts from the same large tank
the additive mixture is added en route to the specific gas station. Think what you want, but low mixtures of detergent will increase deposit formation rates. Is that a problem or just something that requires some attention? That one is open for debate....
Matt
Matt
#50
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I don't doubt that bad gas exists, but I do doubt that it is to blame for as many problems that are reported here.
I am glad that the gas station paid in your case.
That is why I think that whenever bad gas is diagnosed as the cause of a problem, the gas station should be involved as well.
Really, there should be no such thing as bad gas from any licensed station that has passed regulation requirements.
In your case, did the station correct the problem that caused them to be selling bad gas?
I don't know what constitutes Top-Tier either.
I do know that my dealer uses low cost gas in the cars that they sell.
No one told me that the brand of gas mattered, only that I should use premium.
I am glad that the gas station paid in your case.
That is why I think that whenever bad gas is diagnosed as the cause of a problem, the gas station should be involved as well.
Really, there should be no such thing as bad gas from any licensed station that has passed regulation requirements.
In your case, did the station correct the problem that caused them to be selling bad gas?
I don't know what constitutes Top-Tier either.
I do know that my dealer uses low cost gas in the cars that they sell.
No one told me that the brand of gas mattered, only that I should use premium.