Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

> Gasoline Grade for 73 2.0, What kind of gas to buy
warrenoliver
post Feb 27 2007, 02:53 PM
Post #1


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 363
Joined: 11-November 06
From: McFarland, Wisconsin
Member No.: 7,199
Region Association: Upper MidWest
Now that I have my 914, I have to seriously think about driving it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) It came with a 1/2 tank of gas (thanks Cap'n), and I will have to refill it eventually. It just occurred to me that around here we have mostly mixed gas - 10% methanol. Is that good, bad, or of no consequence? What grade of gas should I be buying for this thing. I being a cheap SOB usually buy whatever is cheapest, but for this one, I will buy what is best for it. So, what do you think? Is there any harm in running the 10% methanol/gas mix. Should I be looking for some stations that sell only 100% gasoline? What grade to buy? Is more expensive any better for the engine?
I did a search in the archives and didn't come up with much. I came across an old Pelican site that addresses the harmful effects of methanol on the rubber fittings, but the article may have been old. Is there any more current info out there?

Thanks for the help.


Warrenoliver
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
2 Pages V  1 2 >  
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
Replies(1 - 19)
94teen6
post Feb 27 2007, 03:11 PM
Post #2


Newbie
*

Group: Members
Posts: 8
Joined: 25-February 07
From: Cakifornia
Member No.: 7,564
Whatever grade of unleaded that keeps it from pinging. I could run mid-grade (89) in my /4 with no problem.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Johny Blackstain
post Feb 27 2007, 03:26 PM
Post #3


Walnut Elite Stratocaster player
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,434
Joined: 5-December 06
From: The Shenandoah River
Member No.: 7,318
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
My 74 2.0 came with & still has a sticker up front on the wheel well that says minimum octane 91. Check your drivers manual for that info. I read the same thing about the effects of Meth on rubber & just stay away. My 2 cents.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Mark Henry
post Feb 27 2007, 03:35 PM
Post #4


that's what I do!
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 20,065
Joined: 27-December 02
From: Port Hope, Ontario
Member No.: 26
Region Association: Canada
QUOTE(Johny Blackstain @ Feb 27 2007, 04:26 PM) *

My 74 2.0 came with & still has a sticker up front on the wheel well that says minimum octane 91. Check your drivers manual for that info. I read the same thing about the effects of Meth on rubber & just stay away. My 2 cents.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)


Meth rots teeth and brains, not rubber (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
rmital
post Feb 27 2007, 03:37 PM
Post #5


Northeast optimist
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,947
Joined: 12-December 05
From: Park Ridge, NJ
Member No.: 5,268
QUOTE(Johny Blackstain @ Feb 27 2007, 06:26 PM) *

My 74 2.0 came with & still has a sticker up front on the wheel well that says minimum octane 91.




Attached image(s)
Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Rand
post Feb 27 2007, 03:40 PM
Post #6


Cross Member
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 7,409
Joined: 8-February 05
From: OR
Member No.: 3,573
Region Association: None
IIRC there's a difference... 91 roz/ron is not the same as 91 octane on the American gas pump sticker.

At any rate, I've never run anything but the cheapest regular. No pinging, no problems.

If it pings then double check the timing. If not advanced, then your compression ratio may dictate that you should bump up the octane.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Joe Ricard
post Feb 27 2007, 03:43 PM
Post #7


CUMONIWANNARACEU
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 6,811
Joined: 5-January 03
From: Gautier, MS
Member No.: 92
Well, this is what I have noticed with my motor. I have more power with 87 than I did with 89 and 91 was a plain dog. 2.0L US piston .037 deck on 2.0L heads.

if it don't ping on 87 go with that. U.S. pistoned 2.0L engines don't have much compression.

You could just wait for the Capt. to tell you what he ran. as I am sure he'll be around soon.

I probably get away with lesser octane because of my big cam affecting dynamic compression.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
markb
post Feb 27 2007, 03:47 PM
Post #8


914less :(
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 5,449
Joined: 22-January 03
From: Nipomo, CA
Member No.: 180
Region Association: Central California
The Cap'n says to run the mid grade.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Rand
post Feb 27 2007, 03:52 PM
Post #9


Cross Member
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 7,409
Joined: 8-February 05
From: OR
Member No.: 3,573
Region Association: None
You'll probably be able to find a lot of reading material by doing a search for "octane" as it's been discussed quite a bit in the past.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Howard
post Feb 27 2007, 04:03 PM
Post #10


Incontin(g)ent Member
*****

Group: Benefactors
Posts: 5,785
Joined: 24-July 03
From: Westlake Village, CA
Member No.: 943
Region Association: None
91 Roz/Ron = 87 'murrican octane, so 'regular' should work fine. I run mine a bit more advanced, so usually get mid grade to avoid pinging.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
TROJANMAN
post Feb 27 2007, 04:07 PM
Post #11


Looks nice in pictures.........
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 5,271
Joined: 5-March 04
From: Colorado
Member No.: 1,753
Region Association: None
I figure i only fill the tank a dozen times a year, so i put in the good stuff.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Johny Blackstain
post Feb 27 2007, 04:09 PM
Post #12


Walnut Elite Stratocaster player
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,434
Joined: 5-December 06
From: The Shenandoah River
Member No.: 7,318
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
I am running OEM Mahle Euro pistons, 8.5 to 1. My Dad used to fill her up w/ Gulf leaded 98, exclusively. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Johny Blackstain
post Feb 27 2007, 04:14 PM
Post #13


Walnut Elite Stratocaster player
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,434
Joined: 5-December 06
From: The Shenandoah River
Member No.: 7,318
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
QUOTE(Mark Henry @ Feb 27 2007, 04:35 PM) *

Meth rots teeth and brains, not rubber (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

It rots teeth? Seriously, I had no idea it was so evil. Methanol, on the other hand (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) , is not good for rubber. Is it not stored in either glass, metal or plastic?


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
sean_v8_914
post Feb 27 2007, 04:16 PM
Post #14


Chingon 601
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,011
Joined: 1-February 05
From: San Diego
Member No.: 3,541
here is what one year of ARCO premium looks like


Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
sean_v8_914
post Feb 27 2007, 04:18 PM
Post #15


Chingon 601
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,011
Joined: 1-February 05
From: San Diego
Member No.: 3,541
I was advised to use fuel with techtron additive

the above pic is CA gas that has a bunch of additives to make the exhaust output "cleaner"
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
jd74914
post Feb 27 2007, 04:23 PM
Post #16


Its alive
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,780
Joined: 16-February 04
From: CT
Member No.: 1,659
Region Association: North East States
QUOTE(Johny Blackstain @ Feb 27 2007, 05:09 PM) *

I am running OEM Mahle Euro pistons, 8.5 to 1. My Dad used to fill her up w/ Gulf leaded 98, exclusively. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)


Seriously? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Johny Blackstain
post Feb 27 2007, 04:37 PM
Post #17


Walnut Elite Stratocaster player
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,434
Joined: 5-December 06
From: The Shenandoah River
Member No.: 7,318
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
QUOTE(jd74914 @ Feb 27 2007, 05:23 PM) *

Seriously? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Yes, for her first 4.5 years she ran Gulf, leaded 98. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
IronHillRestorations
post Feb 27 2007, 04:56 PM
Post #18


I. I. R. C.
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 6,722
Joined: 18-March 03
From: West TN
Member No.: 439
Region Association: None
This is America right? So if you pay more for the "good stuff" it's got to be better right? Not when it comes to fuel. Extra octane isn't always needed. Run the LOWEST octance you can without pinging.

The real poop on octane is additives. The higher the octane the more additives to make it burn SLOWER. Remember the higher the octane the SLOWER it burns. The more additives the more residue it leaves in the combustion chamber, and it results in more carbon build up. It can result in a endless cycle, you have to run high octane so it doesn't pre-ignite (ping) and the more high octane you run the more carbon build up you get.

Generally speaking it's all the same fuel, but with different additive packages to raise the octane rating.

If you purchase your fuel from a run down gas station with marginal old storage tanks, and minimal turn over, you could end up with a batch of contaminated fuel. So, get your fuel from a reputable source with regular turn over.

If you are worried about carbon deposits in the combustion chamber you can add Techron, or some of the BG Petroleum Products fuel additives that will help remove carbon build up in the combustion chamber and can allow you to use lower octane.

If you don't believe me you can do your own test. Take an eyedropper of regular low octane gasoline and put it on a plain white corell saucer and burn it (in an appropriate place with ventilation of course), then take an eyedropper of high octane gasoline and burn it. The low octane will burn cleaner and leave less residue, while the high octane will burn smoky and leave considerably more residue.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Porsche Rescue
post Feb 27 2007, 05:00 PM
Post #19


Saving and Enjoying Old Porsches
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,978
Joined: 31-December 02
From: Bend, Oregon
Member No.: 64
Region Association: None
Once upon a time we had leaded 100 octane straight from the pump. You pulled in and said "fill it with ethyl" (tetra ethyl lead). That was real premium. Air was a bit dirtier then.

I use Chevron premium in everything with fuel injection. I am probably wasting some money, but I have had more than one mechanic tell me it was the thing to do. One Mercedes specialist said he had more than once "fixed" a poor running car by draining the tank and filling with Chevron premium. When gas was $1.50 for regular, premium cost $1.70. Now when regular is $2.50, premium is still only $.20 more. I figure the price of premium gas is going down!

edit: In spite of what I say above, Perry is probably right.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Mark Henry
post Feb 27 2007, 06:21 PM
Post #20


that's what I do!
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 20,065
Joined: 27-December 02
From: Port Hope, Ontario
Member No.: 26
Region Association: Canada
QUOTE(Johny Blackstain @ Feb 27 2007, 05:14 PM) *

QUOTE(Mark Henry @ Feb 27 2007, 04:35 PM) *

Meth rots teeth and brains, not rubber (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

It rots teeth? Seriously, I had no idea it was so evil.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)


Meth mouth...Do meth for a few years and you won't have a tooth in your head.


Back on topic I've used 10% methanol for 5 years in the teen and almost 20yrs in high CR bugs with no issues. All premo gas here has methanol
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

2 Pages V  1 2 >
Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Switch to: Standard · Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 27th May 2024 - 05:11 AM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2024  IPS, Inc.
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...