jm@tekadg.UUCP (Jeff Mizener) (11/08/84)
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I've just finished a long discussion with The Rabbit Hutch, a local VW
specialty shop. You see, my GTI went in for the 15k mile checkup,
and when it was done, the mechanic was able to tell me where I'd been buying
my gas. Basically it boils down to two things:
1) Oregon law says that you can put up to 30% (no typo, 30%)
alcohol into gasoline before you have to label it as containing
alcohol. The mechanic (Skip) says that he's seen alcohol
in ARCO and the local discount gasolines. The local ARCO
distributor denies that ARCO mixes its gas with alcohol.
Alcohol is generally considered to be BAD NEWS for injected
motors. Beware. I'll do some more snooping around and let
you all know what I find out.
2) ARCO gas is generally VERY DIRTY. My fuel filter, which is
supposed to last until 30k miles, was very plugged. This
causes other problems that tend to manifest themselves in ways
not obviously fuel related. Especially when the injectors
start to go. Many of the local discount gas stations buy from
ARCO, so beware. Other brands said to cause problems are
Shell and Texaco (both of whom deny that there is alcohol
in their gas). Frequently gasoline it "traded" between
distributors "at the dock". This means that you might not
be buying what you think. Brands that have no history
of causing trouble are 76, Chevron and Mobil. The more
expensive, the cleaner the gas, it would seem.
The moral of the story is BEWARE of local cheap gas, especially ARCO.
You can spend $1 more per fillup and avoid a $300 fuel system overhaul.
Film at Eleven.
Jeff Mizener / Tektronix Portables ADG / Beaverton OR
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ARPA: tekadg!jm.tek@udel-relay CSnet: tekadg!jm@tektomk@orca.UUCP (Tom Kloos) (11/10/84)
Drop by your local GM dealer and get a copy of their cutomer service
newsletter titled "Methanol/Gasoline Blends Pose Potential Problems"
dated 1/84. It is quite well written and provides a significant
amount of information. (No flames about GM please!)
The bottom line is: Be very careful using fuels with alcohol in
today's vehicles. Up to 10% ethanol is probably OK. Up to 5% (five!)
methanol IF used with a cosolvent and corrosion inhibitor may also
be acceptable. However, methanol is generally BAD NEWS with the
materials that are optimized to withstand gasoline. Unfortunately
methanol is cheaper than ethanol, so gasoline supplies prefer it.
As for Oregon permitting 30% alcohol, GM claims EPA only allows 12%.
Higher concentrations might be possible if a permit is issued from the
EPA. It might be a good idea to contact the EPA if you suspect a
problem with the fuel you've purchased. A study in the mid-west found
that blenders sometimes exceeded the limits.
I doubt that Arco's gas is really any dirtier than most, but when
I was using "Burnsahol" (10% ethanol in Chevron unleaded) I found
the fuel filter filled up with rust and junk MUCH more rapidly.
I suspect it was loosening a lot of junk from the car's tank, fuel
system, and maybe the dealers tank.
-Tom Kloos, Tektronix, Wilsonville, Oregon
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