I must be in my long title phase tonight. My last thread got me started abot something that's been worrying me since before I left for the sandbox. Sometimes the sound of the engine is different. Haven't posted anything because I'm really not sure how to describe it. Best I can come up with is that it's laboring more than usual. Doesn't matter if the AC is on or off and what the temperature is. I use the best gas available before anyone asks (generally Shell premium).

Don't know if this is related but the car has always been a hard starter. Takes giving it some gas and to or three hits of the key before it turns over. Done that since day one. Dealers have never seen anything wrong with it.

So what's the mystery sound and is this normal

 

Shell is supposed to be a top tier gas. When I switched to Shell because of that, I got Cold Start Stumble. When I stopped using Shell, the stumble went away.

 

Maybe I'll try conoco for a while. It's the only other top tier in my area.