Do you trust your octane?

[scottyb]

I've noticed cycles of questionable octane levels in the fuel I buy lately. In December, I re-nstalled the RA 93 chip with slightly more aggressive timing than the Thrasher. Since then I've noticed occassional knock at moderate boost levels, ~10lbs. On 2 occasions I've noted knock, filled up the tank, and knock is gone. I buy my gas at the same place every saturday.

Makes me wonder what controls are in place to guarantee octane levels. I've never seen anyone testing gas here in Florida, but almost every time I go through Georgia (maybe 3 times a year) I notice a test vehicle getting samples at a gas station.

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

Someone should make little test strips to check octane levels at the pump, i know my car knocks more on 91 from BP but ammoco is a little better....

BW

 

[oehm]

Working in the fuel business, I can tell you that accidents do happen and there are shady business practices taking place. I had 4,000 gallons of 91 octane premium placed in my 87 octane regular tank due to an error on behalf of my fuel delivery guy. We had to take a loss and sell the mixed 87 and 91 as 87 octane. I figure we lost about $280 for that accident. I am sure that some places have had 87 octane regular placed in their premium tank. I am also aware of a few people who have been known to place the cheaper ethanol gas (89) octane in thier premium tanks.

 

[salvageV6]

I only trust the Ethanol in my alky. tanks.

 

[galoush]

Or VP racing gas in sealed can

 

[JOHNDEEREGN]

I buy mine

in 55 gallon drums

Sunoco unleaded race gas. Then I think I know what I an getting is true that way.

 

[Brer Rabbit]

good gas equals good performance

I will normally use premium from either Shell or BP. I dont get any knocking with their fuels but on occasion I have to stop at a Marathon by the house when I'm running late for work and the knocking is noticeable at just 15 lbs of boost. I was running 20 lbs on Saturday night when I got my ass stomped by a supercharged Trans-am but my car sounded great no pingin at all. It was about 27 degrees out which im sure helped.

 

[SinistrV6]

Well, since I make the gasoline that alot of you buy, I'll chime in. The octane is tested during the blend and after. It is also run on an octane "screen" machine (simpler test but pretty accurate) after it's loaded on barges or tranferred to our marketing tanks (to load on trucks). It meets the specified octane or it doesn't ship (this almost NEVER happens). Butane is high in octane (93+) and weathers off more readily in hot weather. Older gasoline breaks down and loses octane also so buy from places with high turnover. Just FYI, due to recent problems in our component "blend pool" most of the 87 from our refinery in the last month has actually been 88-89 octane. Those problems have since been overcome.

 

[Renthorin]

I've had bad luck at Sunoco

I used to buy Sunoco 94 but not from 'that' store any longer.

I put in about half a tank one weekend and could not even boost to 10psi without the knock detector going crazy. Not sure WHAT was in that tank but it did not agree with the GN.

I checked out the local auto parts store for a fuel drain kit but they had no idea what I was talking about. The owner said all I needed was some gas line antifreeze.

I tried to explain that I needed more octane in the tank but he said no, higher octane is a scam and doesn't do anything for cars.......hmmmmmm

I made a homemade line and pumped it out and put it into my Blazer. Put in some 100 and was happy.

I mentioned this to a TY guy in my town and he said that store had done that to him twice so he won't go there either.

 

[TurboJim]

Originally posted by oehm
Working in the fuel business, I can tell you that accidents do happen and there are shady business practices taking place. I had 4,000 gallons of 91 octane premium placed in my 87 octane regular tank due to an error on behalf of my fuel delivery guy. We had to take a loss and sell the mixed 87 and 91 as 87 octane. I figure we lost about $280 for that accident. I am sure that some places have had 87 octane regular placed in their premium tank. I am also aware of a few people who have been known to place the cheaper ethanol gas (89) octane in thier premium tanks.

There is nothing wrong with putting super in the reg tank, but putting reg in the super tank is against the law and should weights and measures come and find this, they are in for sa huge fine. I have had the same prob you did in occasion..order a load anticipating sales, but a slow weekend and pow, the load wont fit as ordered. Shell began charging for returned loads so we used to mix stuff around to fit. But we NEVER lowered the octane of a product by puttung a lower octane product in a higher octane one....NEVER.