TOP TIER - High Quality Fuel ...

[Escape2Bronco]

For those who don't know, Seafoam is magic for small 2 stroke and 4 stoke engines. I couldn't start my leaf blower last week, so I added a few ounces of Seafoam and pulled the cord about 10 times. I let it sit for a while and pulled 10 more. About the 3rd time, it started right up and ran like a champ.

I've used a syringe to inject it into the gas line going to the carb on my Honda generator after sitting for two years. It started right up.

I've never used it in a vehicle, but I'd imagine it cleans the gum out just as well.

I've been running 86 octane in my wife's Hyndai for 5 years with no issues, but she doesn't drive it hard.

I do use 91 octane (highest Costco sells) when pulling a trailer. It also makes sense when going to lower altitude.

Yup, it's some great stuff. I swear by Sea Foam. I wonder if it works on EV's too! ?

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[sajohnson]

I've been running 86 octane in my wife's Hyndai for 5 years with no issues, but she doesn't drive it hard.

It's gonna blow any day now!!

 

[Mark S.]

I've been running 86 octane in my wife's Hyndai for 5 years with no issues, but she doesn't drive it hard.

What does her owner's manual say about fuel quality? Does it specify a minimum octane?

Ford's minimum octane requirement is based on a couple of factors. For one, it accounts for variations in fuel quality from one supplier to the next. In other words, the pump may be labeled 87 octane, but the underground tank may have been contaminated such that the actual octane is a bit lower. Ford's engine management software can account for this up to a point.

The other reason for the lower octane limit is the manner in which Ford's engine management software works to protect the engine when you change fuel octane. The PCM (powertrain control module) incorporates a function called octane adjust ratio, or OAR. Changing this function changes the entire timing vs power map in order to limit the amount of timing advance when you are using regular gas. This is meant as a proactive system to limit the amount of detonation your engine experiences under high power demand. Without OAR, every time you floor the accelerator pedal the engine would immediately experience moderate or greater knock until the sensors detect it, and the PCM clamps down on ignition advance. With OAR, when you switch from premium fuel to regular, the PCM "retunes" itself via the OAR function to reduce maximum allowable ignition advance, but this takes time. During that process, your engine can experience significantly higher levels of detonation (knock) than otherwise when you demand high power, so it's a good idea to take it easy on the skinny pedal for the first 100 miles or so until the retune is complete. Once the OAR has shifted the tuning map, the limit on ignition advance prevents anything more than light detonation during high power demand.

So why did I mention this? Because the OAR function has limits. If you use fuel with a lower octane rating than the OAR function can account for--in the case of Ford's EcoBoost series that's 87 octane--then you lose the proactive protection afforded by the OAR function, and your engine may operate in moderate or greater detonation all the time. This is the reason for Ford's warning regarding minimum octane in the Owner's Manual. Anything more than light detonation--especially if it's frequent/chronic--will reduce the lifespan of your engine, and may result in immediate damage to piston rings/skirts.

BTW, the OAR setting is one of the parameters recorded and stored by the PCM. If you regularly use fuel with less than 87 octane and your piston rings and/or skirts become damaged (i.e. your engine starts burning oil), when the Ford technician connects a diagnostic computer to your car the PCM will dutifully report how long it has been set to the lowest-possible OAR setting. This would be strong evidence you have been using fuel with lower-than-recommended octane.

 

[TSO_NJ]

What does her owner's manual say about fuel quality? Does it specify a minimum octane?

Ford's minimum octane requirement is based on a couple of factors. For one, it accounts for variations in fuel quality from one supplier to the next. In other words, the pump may be labeled 87 octane, but the underground tank may have been contaminated such that the actual octane is a bit lower. Ford's engine management software can account for this up to a point.

The other reason for the lower octane limit is the manner in which Ford's engine management software works to protect the engine when you change fuel octane. The PCM (powertrain control module) incorporates a function called octane adjust ratio, or OAR. Changing this function changes the entire timing vs power map in order to limit the amount of timing advance when you are using regular gas. This is meant as a proactive system to limit the amount of detonation your engine experiences under high power demand. Without OAR, every time you floor the accelerator pedal the engine would immediately experience moderate or greater knock until the sensors detect it, and the PCM clamps down on ignition advance. With OAR, when you switch from premium fuel to regular, the PCM "retunes" itself via the OAR function to reduce maximum allowable ignition advance, but this takes time. During that process, your engine can experience significantly higher levels of detonation (knock) than otherwise when you demand high power, so it's a good idea to take it easy on the skinny pedal for the first 100 miles or so until the retune is complete. Once the OAR has shifted the tuning map, the limit on ignition advance prevents anything more than light detonation during high power demand.

So why did I mention this? Because the OAR function has limits. If you use fuel with a lower octane rating than the OAR function can account for--in the case of Ford's EcoBoost series that's 87 octane--then you lose the proactive protection afforded by the OAR function, and your engine may operate in moderate or greater detonation all the time. This is the reason for Ford's warning regarding minimum octane in the Owner's Manual. Anything more than light detonation--especially if it's frequent/chronic--will reduce the lifespan of your engine, and may result in immediate damage to piston rings/skirts.

BTW, the OAR setting is one of the parameters recorded and stored by the PCM. If you regularly use fuel with less than 87 octane and your piston rings and/or skirts become damaged (i.e. your engine starts burning oil), when the Ford technician connects a diagnostic computer to your car the PCM will dutifully report how long it has been set to the lowest-possible OAR setting. This would be strong evidence you have been using fuel with lower-than-recommended octane.

Excellent explanation! Thank you!

 

[Barry S.]

What does her owner's manual say about fuel quality? Does it specify a minimum octane?

Ford's minimum octane requirement is based on a couple of factors. For one, it accounts for variations in fuel quality from one supplier to the next. In other words, the pump may be labeled 87 octane, but the underground tank may have been contaminated such that the actual octane is a bit lower. Ford's engine management software can account for this up to a point.

The other reason for the lower octane limit is the manner in which Ford's engine management software works to protect the engine when you change fuel octane. The PCM (powertrain control module) incorporates a function called octane adjust ratio, or OAR. Changing this function changes the entire timing vs power map in order to limit the amount of timing advance when you are using regular gas. This is meant as a proactive system to limit the amount of detonation your engine experiences under high power demand. Without OAR, every time you floor the accelerator pedal the engine would immediately experience moderate or greater knock until the sensors detect it, and the PCM clamps down on ignition advance. With OAR, when you switch from premium fuel to regular, the PCM "retunes" itself via the OAR function to reduce maximum allowable ignition advance, but this takes time. During that process, your engine can experience significantly higher levels of detonation (knock) than otherwise when you demand high power, so it's a good idea to take it easy on the skinny pedal for the first 100 miles or so until the retune is complete. Once the OAR has shifted the tuning map, the limit on ignition advance prevents anything more than light detonation during high power demand.

So why did I mention this? Because the OAR function has limits. If you use fuel with a lower octane rating than the OAR function can account for--in the case of Ford's EcoBoost series that's 87 octane--then you lose the proactive protection afforded by the OAR function, and your engine may operate in moderate or greater detonation all the time. This is the reason for Ford's warning regarding minimum octane in the Owner's Manual. Anything more than light detonation--especially if it's frequent/chronic--will reduce the lifespan of your engine, and may result in immediate damage to piston rings/skirts.

BTW, the OAR setting is one of the parameters recorded and stored by the PCM. If you regularly use fuel with less than 87 octane and your piston rings and/or skirts become damaged (i.e. your engine starts burning oil), when the Ford technician connects a diagnostic computer to your car the PCM will dutifully report how long it has been set to the lowest-possible OAR setting. This would be strong evidence you have been using fuel with lower-than-recommended octane.

I agree. Couldn't have said it better. Actually, couldn't have said it.?

 

[Barry S.]

The problem for me right now is too many hobbies, especially of the expensive kind.

Tried to get the drone that fires Hellfire missiles...but Amazon was sold out.

 

[Mark S.]

Tried to get the drone that fires Hellfire missiles...but Amazon was sold out.

For your reference, you probably couldn't shoot me down with a Hellfire--they are air-to-ground missiles. You probably want an AIM-9 or AIM-120, although you'd need a pretty big drone for an AIM-120.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

What does her owner's manual say about fuel quality? Does it specify a minimum octane?

Ford's minimum octane requirement is based on a couple of factors. For one, it accounts for variations in fuel quality from one supplier to the next. In other words, the pump may be labeled 87 octane, but the underground tank may have been contaminated such that the actual octane is a bit lower. Ford's engine management software can account for this up to a point.

The other reason for the lower octane limit is the manner in which Ford's engine management software works to protect the engine when you change fuel octane. The PCM (powertrain control module) incorporates a function called octane adjust ratio, or OAR. Changing this function changes the entire timing vs power map in order to limit the amount of timing advance when you are using regular gas. This is meant as a proactive system to limit the amount of detonation your engine experiences under high power demand. Without OAR, every time you floor the accelerator pedal the engine would immediately experience moderate or greater knock until the sensors detect it, and the PCM clamps down on ignition advance. With OAR, when you switch from premium fuel to regular, the PCM "retunes" itself via the OAR function to reduce maximum allowable ignition advance, but this takes time. During that process, your engine can experience significantly higher levels of detonation (knock) than otherwise when you demand high power, so it's a good idea to take it easy on the skinny pedal for the first 100 miles or so until the retune is complete. Once the OAR has shifted the tuning map, the limit on ignition advance prevents anything more than light detonation during high power demand.

So why did I mention this? Because the OAR function has limits. If you use fuel with a lower octane rating than the OAR function can account for--in the case of Ford's EcoBoost series that's 87 octane--then you lose the proactive protection afforded by the OAR function, and your engine may operate in moderate or greater detonation all the time. This is the reason for Ford's warning regarding minimum octane in the Owner's Manual. Anything more than light detonation--especially if it's frequent/chronic--will reduce the lifespan of your engine, and may result in immediate damage to piston rings/skirts.

BTW, the OAR setting is one of the parameters recorded and stored by the PCM. If you regularly use fuel with less than 87 octane and your piston rings and/or skirts become damaged (i.e. your engine starts burning oil), when the Ford technician connects a diagnostic computer to your car the PCM will dutifully report how long it has been set to the lowest-possible OAR setting. This would be strong evidence you have been using fuel with lower-than-recommended octane.

My fingers get sore just reading your posts!

Well said, I remember when my "OAR" was a wrench and a twist of the distributer! I wonder how many even have heard of a timing light!

 

[sajohnson]

My fingers get sore just reading your posts!

Well said, I remember when my "OAR" was a wrench and a twist of the distributer! I wonder how many even have heard of a timing light!

I'll see your timing light and raise you some points and feeler gauges.

 

[NMhunter]

I don't miss the points, feeler gauges, timing lights, or carburators. I do miss cheap gas. Drill, Baby, drill.

 

[Barry S.]

For your reference, you probably couldn't shoot me down with a Hellfire--they are air-to-ground missiles. You probably want an AIM-9 or AIM-120, although you'd need a pretty big drone for an AIM-120.

If they're available on Amazon, beware.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I don't miss the points, feeler gauges, timing lights, or carburators. I do miss cheap gas. Drill, Baby, drill.

I don't miss them per se, but god, it was so much easier to fix or figure out what was going on. Air, fuel and spark. Air was normally never an issue so that left fuel and spark. Now its "which Nanny is upset and doesn't want to play with the other nannies! Fortunately, they seem to get along well but it isn't like the old days when you had to figure it out.

 

[Mwittke5857]

Premium gas seems expensive until you start pricing out valve jobs and replacement long blocks

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