I noticed a sudden performance drop about 5 days ago....it seemed to be right after I got some gas. I've since filled up again and it's still running kind of doggy. I just had an exhaust put on a couple weeks ago, it made a great improvement in power but now it runs like its stock again.Could it be oxygenated fuel or something? I'm not even sure if they sell that stuff here on the Oregon coast. Maybe a sensor is going dead? It seems like my gas mileage is getting worse but I haven't checked for sure. Any ideas?

 

could just be bad gas. check your plugs, do they look fouled or damaged at all? if youre sure its not the gas, then try doing a good tune up. good luck!

 

Oxygenate is a federal law. MTBE will be getting replaced soon, but it will only be replaced with another oxygenate.

 

So I could be getting oxygenated gas? That seems rediculous that they would sell it here, pollution is non existant...

I do have brand new Autolite platinums and Autolite wires that I haven't installed yet, maybe I'll just go ahead and put them in and see what happens.

 

Tye,

May just be the fuel. When we start getting the winter formula gas, my truck notices. I can usually run 14 degrees initial timing on my '95 5.0, but when that time of the year comes I often have to back down to 12 degrees.

I'd go ahead and do the plugs and wires anyway, nothing to loose.

In my area there is only a brief period when the air is good and cool and we are still getting the good gas. Such is life I guess... I even try to keep filled more often trying to get the last "good gas".

 

Methyl Tertary Butyl Ether (MTBE) is the common oxygenate right now because it is:
A. Easy to manufacture
B. Cheap (should be number 1)
C. Also acts as an octane substitute.

Oxygenate is required to make sure that even places that do not yet have pollution problems, won't ever have them. Unfortunately, it has been found that MTBE is some really nasty stuff, so it is going to get banned and probably replaced with ethol alcohol.

Gas prices will go up again when that happens because it will cost more to make.

 

Must have just been some crappy gas, its running good and strong again. Wonder how much the plugs and wires are going to help, it does miss once in a while...

 

Hi Tye

Yeah, sounds like you got somebad gas...

Of course if you got alot of miles on those plugs & wires and other maint. parts...good idea to replace them.

Just passing this along....I dont use alot of Arco gas but....

This past Sept 01, on trip thru Oregon. I opted to fill up with Arco in Grants Pass. Ore. There pump said "10% ethanol"

I maynot be saying it right, but that is a "air pollution additive"
You maybe in an area that does not require "pollution additives"?
Although i would be surprised...if no additives.(oxygenates)

Prior to that had been useing Chevron, dont recall seeing a label on there pumps, however here in Nev & Calif. etc, their additive is Techron....

Good luck....OT

 

Ethonol is an oxygenate (ethol alcohol). Techron is another additive besides an oxygenate. In some places it is cheaper to make ethonol (mid-west I believe), so those fuels use that as opposed to MTBE.