Is buying higher octane worth it? I think so.

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Old Dec 21, 2010 | 03:09 PM
  #16  
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I do believe that there isn't an actual 89 octane gas. All it is is a blend of the 91 with the 87 while its being pumped. So no there wouldn't be a longer sit time on the 89 vs the 91 or 87.
 
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Old Dec 21, 2010 | 03:24 PM
  #17  
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Not true across the board. Go to the gas station and count how many different colored manhole covers there are - betcha you find 3, 4 if they also sell diesel. The only stations that have blending pumps that I'm aware of is Sunoco and some Conocos.
 
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Old Dec 21, 2010 | 04:58 PM
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Originally Posted by chiaronate
Yeah Norm I just did a search and found something about a change in 2004 about the BG44K not using PTE anymore, which I believe is the main ingredient in Techron. I also found someone else said the BG stuff is re-badged Techron, so it's pretty much the same?
No the BG stuff is not rebadged Techron. Chevron will only sell Techron with the trademark displayed.
 
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Old Dec 21, 2010 | 05:06 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by chiaronate
I've been reading a lot about octane ratings and whether or not to put higher-than-recommended octane into gas tanks. It makes sense to only put in the recommended octane if that octane is really that octane and the motor it is going into actually runs well on it, but that's not always the case. I don't know if this is true or not, but I read on one of the other message forums about a vehicle that's supposed to run ok on 87, meaning it should have a higher octane, but the manufacturer, I think it was Nissan, says 87 is ok. There is also the fact that condensation gets in the station tanks, and if it sits too long in the vehicle tanks, gets into them as well, decreasing the octane of the gas. This is why I've been putting in 89 octane instead of the "recommended" 87. I feel it gives me a not-very-expensive buffer zone in case of condensation, and also because my truck has about 130,000 miles now, and high mileage has been known to require a little more octane. Just my thoughts on it, it wouldn't be the first time if I'm wrong lol.
I always run 93 or higher (100 octane here in Germany) but my trucks are tuned for it and require the higher octane with the forced induction
 
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Old Dec 21, 2010 | 05:15 PM
  #20  
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Stick w/87. Purchase your Petrol from Shell, (On a busy corner would be best I guess) - Iduno, I NEVER once had a bad tank of fuel, - or worried about it - the 98 has been Motorvac'ed 5 or 6 times (it's @ 272,000, - the motor has never been apart) Yea, I'm sold on that service lol.

I've heard the BG service is good as well (Upper GI)
 
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Old Dec 21, 2010 | 05:30 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by jethat
Waste of cash unless you have a tune to take advantage of the high octane. Higher octane fuel by itself does not produce more power or keep the engine cleaner or anything else. Engine has to be tuned to take advantage of its ability to resist DETONATION..
I know about the whole resistance to detonation thing, I was just thinking it was a good idea to use higher octane because of the condensation..but like Bluejay said, if I buy it from a place that sells a lot of gas, like Hess for example, condensation isn't an issue. I was also concerned with the high mileage, thinking that would require higher octane, but these ignition systems adjust for that anyhow.
 
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Old Dec 21, 2010 | 05:34 PM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by jbrew
Stick w/87. Purchase your Petrol from Shell, (On a busy corner would be best I guess) - Iduno, I NEVER once had a bad tank of fuel, - or worried about it - the 98 has been Motorvac'ed 5 or 6 times (it's @ 272,000, - the motor has never been apart) Yea, I'm sold on that service lol.

I've heard the BG service is good as well (Upper GI)
Hey tell me about this motor vac service..how does it work? I've also been trying to find out if professional fuel injection cleaning would be beneficial, I see lots of yeses and nos on that. I think the only station near me is Exxon Mobil that has Techron in it, but I'd rather fill-up at Hess and just add a bottle of Techron at oil changes because Hess is American owned.
 

Last edited by chiaronate; Dec 21, 2010 at 05:39 PM. Reason: add
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Old Dec 21, 2010 | 07:52 PM
  #23  
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An upper-intake &/or injector cleaning will only help if the engine has lots of deposits. If it's OK, cleaning won't help enough to justify the time/cost. So if you're running good gas & your own fuel additives, I wouldn't worry about extra cleaning. Just follow the published maintenance schedule.

BTW
All gasoline, oil, & diesel sold in the US gets pumped into the same pipeline system & mixed with all others. A refiner puts in a certain quantity of a certain grade at one end of the pipeline and is allowed to remove the same amount of the same grade anywhere else in the system; not the specific stuff he put in. And some day when you're bored, follow a gas tanker truck to a few of his stops and see how many different brand gas stations he delivers to. So you're undoubtedly burning foreign gas whether you like it or not, regardless of where you buy it. Watch the Modern Marvels episode about gasoline. You can probably rent it from NetFlix.
 
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Old Dec 21, 2010 | 08:10 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by Steve83
An upper-intake &/or injector cleaning will only help if the engine has lots of deposits. If it's OK, cleaning won't help enough to justify the time/cost. So if you're running good gas & your own fuel additives, I wouldn't worry about extra cleaning. Just follow the published maintenance schedule.

BTW
All gasoline, oil, & diesel sold in the US gets pumped into the same pipeline system & mixed with all others. A refiner puts in a certain quantity of a certain grade at one end of the pipeline and is allowed to remove the same amount of the same grade anywhere else in the system; not the specific stuff he put in. And some day when you're bored, follow a gas tanker truck to a few of his stops and see how many different brand gas stations he delivers to. So you're undoubtedly burning foreign gas whether you like it or not, regardless of where you buy it. Watch the Modern Marvels episode about gasoline. You can probably rent it from NetFlix.
Yes unfortunately that's what it looks like regarding foreign fuel..I was reading about that on the internet, apparently the American companies still use 60% of foreign oil so that they can meet demand. That's good to know about not needing the cleaning, I definitely don't need to spend the money lol. I guess I'll just switch to buying gas at Mobil, because only they and Sunoco are the only stations that I know of by me that has Techron in their gas. Here is a link to a list of top tier gas stations so that everyone knows who has the Techron.
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html
 

Last edited by chiaronate; Dec 21, 2010 at 08:13 PM.
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Old Dec 22, 2010 | 12:47 AM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by chiaronate
Yes unfortunately that's what it looks like regarding foreign fuel..I was reading about that on the internet, apparently the American companies still use 60% of foreign oil so that they can meet demand. That's good to know about not needing the cleaning, I definitely don't need to spend the money lol. I guess I'll just switch to buying gas at Mobil, because only they and Sunoco are the only stations that I know of by me that has Techron in their gas. Here is a link to a list of top tier gas stations so that everyone knows who has the Techron.
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html
So you went and scoped the engine already ? No carbon riding on the pistons ? - Valves are shinning....???

That's just part of my maintenance venue, - or regimen. Hell, they all get dirty after awhile lol. - Oh well , doesn't matter I guess, shoot, - I enjoy wasting my time on maintenance anyway. Strange huh...
 
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Old Dec 22, 2010 | 01:15 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by jbrew
So you went and scoped the engine already ? No carbon riding on the pistons ? - Valves are shinning....???

That's just part of my maintenance venue, - or regimen. Hell, they all get dirty after awhile lol. - Oh well , doesn't matter I guess, shoot, - I enjoy wasting my time on maintenance anyway. Strange huh...
I didn't do any scoping, I'm just listening to everyone on here. It's hard to know what to believe because there are different opinions on everything. Everyone on here seems to respect your opinion..my truck has about 130,000 miles and I'm guessing a motor vac was never done, could it likely benefit from that service?
 
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Old Dec 22, 2010 | 06:26 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by chiaronate
Yes unfortunately that's what it looks like regarding foreign fuel..I was reading about that on the internet, apparently the American companies still use 60% of foreign oil so that they can meet demand. That's good to know about not needing the cleaning, I definitely don't need to spend the money lol. I guess I'll just switch to buying gas at Mobil, because only they and Sunoco are the only stations that I know of by me that has Techron in their gas. Here is a link to a list of top tier gas stations so that everyone knows who has the Techron.
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html
Sunoco and Mobil/Exxon do not use Techron. Where in that link did you get that idea? Top Tier does not mean Techron. Techron is a Chevron product and is only in Chevron company gas. Chevron owns Texaco and supplies some Shell stations in the south. Mobil/Exxon will give you lower gas mileage. Sunoco is a better choice.
 
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Old Dec 22, 2010 | 07:01 AM
  #28  
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At 130,000 miles. Yes, your engine will definitely benefit from it IMO. I personally recommend the Motorvac Service. Price varies , - $100 I expect. I'm not sure what's different with the BG service..(?) - Just guessing it's not as thorough or deep. It's cheaper than the vac tho.

The Motorvac Service is one that Ford TSB'ed for the 3 valve I believe ; - to preform before a plug change for best results. Or something along those lines lol.

I'm tellin yuh, - it's a no bull service that does exactly what it's suppose to.

TSB data -

http://www.motorvac.com/pdfs/TechUpd...rkPlugsMTI.pdf
 
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Old Dec 22, 2010 | 09:05 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by Norm
Sunoco and Mobil/Exxon do not use Techron. Where in that link did you get that idea? Top Tier does not mean Techron. Techron is a Chevron product and is only in Chevron company gas. Chevron owns Texaco and supplies some Shell stations in the south. Mobil/Exxon will give you lower gas mileage. Sunoco is a better choice.
Oh my bad, I thought because they are top-tier they would have Techron. What is the cause for Mobil giving lower gas mileage? What makes Sunoco better?
 
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Old Dec 22, 2010 | 09:14 AM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by jbrew
At 130,000 miles. Yes, your engine will definitely benefit from it IMO. I personally recommend the Motorvac Service. Price varies , - $100 I expect. I'm not sure what's different with the BG service..(?) - Just guessing it's not as thorough or deep. It's cheaper than the vac tho.

The Motorvac Service is one that Ford TSB'ed for the 3 valve I believe ; - to preform before a plug change for best results. Or something along those lines lol.

I'm tellin yuh, - it's a no bull service that does exactly what it's suppose to.

TSB data -

http://www.motorvac.com/pdfs/TechUpd...rkPlugsMTI.pdf
I'll look into doing that and see who does that service nearby. I don't think it's weird at all to enjoy doing maintenance, I used to like doing that more before I got older and more lazy.
 
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