[net.auto.tech] Gasoline quality.

mcmullen@convexs.UUCP (12/23/85)

/* Written  2:35 pm  Dec 19, 1985 by grahamb@athena.UUCP in convexs:net.auto.tech */
/* ---------- "Gasoline quality." ---------- */
Do different brands of gasoline really differ noticeably
in quality?  I've heard tell that Arco (cheap stuff) often
contains water, dirt etc., so I switched to Mobil. (My car 
got as bit sick after 6 months of Arco. Needed a new fuel 
filter).

Is there any substance to this, or are gasolines like
dishwashing liquids - all the same?
/* End of text from convexs:net.auto.tech */
I don't know about the quality of the gasoline itself, but there have been
several problems with unknown or inappropriate additives.


The MOB has been using their gasoline outlets to dispose of toxic wastes,
according to NBC news.

In Orange County (Deutschnyland) FL, some of the no-name economy outlets
have been putting up to 25 percent ethanol in the no-leads.

As for me, I have a diesel, and always buy either Gulf or Texaco.  They are
the only ones around here (D/FW) that use the fuel/water separators.

mat@mtx5a.UUCP (m.terribile) (12/29/85)

> /* ---------- "Gasoline quality." ---------- */
> 
> The MOB has been using their gasoline outlets to dispose of toxic wastes,
> according to NBC news.
> 

I wouldn't be surprised if legitimate refineries were doing it too.
Federal and state laws permit small amounts of PCB laden oil to be
mixed with heating oil -- in small enough quantities, the PCBs are
completely burnt and the only residue is a minute amount of hydrochloric
acid.
Depending on what the wastes in question are, and how well the EPA expects
auto engines to run, they may permit such disposal.  I wouldn't be shocked.
-- 

	from Mole End			Mark Terribile
		(scrape .. dig )	mtx5b!mat
    ,..      .,,       ,,,   ..,***_*.

mikey@techsup (01/03/86)

According to information in a sheet I was given by a Dodge dealer,
ARCO is, BY POLICY, putting alcohol in their gas!!!!  I was advised
NEVER to put it in my turbocharged Omni!  Since Arco is the biggest
supplier to independents (7-11 and such) I also avoid these places.

The last Shell station I stopped at for a tank of SU2000 had a big
poster in the front window proclaiming that they GUARANTEE to protect
you from bad gas by selling ONLY Shell gas, and when they say SU2000
on the pump, it is SU2000 and not an independent gas that just
happens to meet the octane advertised.  I have not seen that poster
in any other Shell station.  

As to the differences, there is a Mobile station near my house that I
suspect is really independent.  I'm half tempted to get a gas sample and
have it checked.  My car was missing and when they closed over 
Christmas I stopped at an Amoco station and filled with their super
instead.  What made me suspicious is I got an almost 30% increase in
milage on that tank and the car seems to run smoother when stuck in
5th and lugging up a steep hill at 60mph without downshifting.

mikey 
trsvax!techsup!bbimg!mikey

ps.  55, the usuall comment.

dca@edison.UUCP (01/09/86)

> 
> 
> 
> According to information in a sheet I was given by a Dodge dealer,
> ARCO is, BY POLICY, putting alcohol in their gas!!!!  I was advised
> NEVER to put it in my turbocharged Omni!  Since Arco is the biggest
> supplier to independents (7-11 and such) I also avoid these places.
> 

In my owners manual for my Daytona Turbo they don't say avoid Ethanol
enriched gasoline they only say that the percentage should not be
over 10%.  In fact, I have been using an ethanol enriched gas for
some time now and my car has been running fine.

I read about some gadget which used alcohol/water attraction to measure
the percent of alcohol in gasoline, but it seems to me that the principle
really should only need a graduated container.

David Albrecht