I've Got Bad Gas

[ragboy]

I normally only put good gas in my vehicles and the boat. I only use Chevron and Unocal 76. My dad is a retired mechanic of 30+ years, and I remember him showing me valves removed from motors that used good gas, and ones that were on stuff like FastTrip and Arco.

Anyway, in the last year, our local 76 has become a valero, and the secondary is now in an area where they are widening the road, and it is all screwed up, don't like to go there, and small, tough to get in and out.

Right down the road from my warehouse, less than a mile is this HUGE and convenient FastTrip. Easy in and out, ICE and drinks and the whole shabang.

So my question is this, do you guys have any recommendations for additives or something to allow using crappy gas and still feel like I am giving my Tige the love she needs? Can I just buy some Techron additives and use them?

Thanks.

[Wake Bandits]

The Valero refinery is in Bakersfield, formerly Texaco and they sell to Flying J, Shell, several other chains.

Good Gasoline IMHO.
We run it in all our vech's and it's been good.
Love their 91 Octane.

Arco leaves huge white deposits on the plugs BTW.

[Jeff T]

There are ppl here much more knowledgable than me on marine engines that may have a much more valid opinion, but I'm always hesitant to use any additives in my car, little alone in my boat. If it were me, i would stay away until needed.

Stabil is good. Maybe even Isoheet to remove water if needed, but I've never used. It might be a good idea to pick up the phone and call Tige or the manufacture of your engine and get their opinion.

[dogbert]

If you're worried about stale gas, I'd get some Stabil or some other fuel freshener. That should take care of the deposits issue.

BTW, towards the end of the season, I start adding Stabil to every tank because we ride less frequently. I've never had an issue. You do need to be careful that you read the ethanol content of your gasoline.

[foxfam312]

You know I to only use chevron fuel or shell fuel, I once worked at a refinerie in carson calif as an operating engineer, just for a short time, and your father was right, I would see chevron trucks 76 trucks arco trucks etc etc, all getting the same fuel, the difference was the chevron trucks 76 trucks etc ect would go over to these other tanks nad recieve their cleaning addatives, as the arco and the cheaper fuel station trucks would just drive away to the stations, very very alarming. So to make a long story short, I have had real good luck with Lucas fuel addative comes in a small 6" tall plastic bottle. Good luck.

[FacePlant]

There are ppl here much more knowledgable than me on marine engines that may have a much more valid opinion, but I'm always hesitant to use any additives in my car, little alone in my boat. If it were me, i would stay away until needed.

Stabil is good. Maybe even Isoheet to remove water if needed, but I've never used. It might be a good idea to pick up the phone and call Tige or the manufacture of your engine and get their opinion.

I agree for the most part to avoid additives. I would only use BG additives in anything I own.

[chpthril]

The difference between "good" gas and "bad" gas, is not the end retailer as there are only a handful of refiners that supply all the US distributors. Each distributor adds their own blend of additives, but the EPA has a set kind and amount of additives that are in every gal of gas.

What makes a station good or not, is how often the do the regular service on their tanks and pump. Doesn't matter if it's mon'n pop or a name brand station, you never know if the owner is taking care of the tanks and pumps.

[dogbert]

What makes a station good or not, is how often the do the regular service on their tanks and pump. Doesn't matter if it's mon'n pop or a name brand station, you never know if the owner is taking care of the tanks and pumps.

That and how much turnover in gas they have. We have a local Mom & Pop gas station and they get so little business for their Premium Unleaded that half the time the pump takes a while to prime. My recommendation is that if you go to smaller gas station, make sure you buy the fuel they sell the most of. Stale gas makes my boat run like crap.

[ragboy]

Thanks for all the help, I did figure most gas came from the same place, but when tearing down engines, there is a difference. Looks like a lot of people on the web really like that lucas oil fuel treatment. I will do some tests, there are lots of testimonials.

[brody66]

We have kwik trip in mn and according to a local mechanic they have the best gas and diesel around, dont know if there are any of those around you though, it seems like different areas have different franchises

[spharis]

Most mechanics I know fill up wherever it is cheap, but avoid bad stores. The store and the fuel storage/usage is more important than brand.

It's kind of obvious when the fuel truck (which is Shell) leaves Texaco, then heads to RaceTrac, then to Circle K. It's all the same.

[ragboy]

Its not the same. I put chevron and 76 100% of the time in my truck, and for the last 3 tanks, I had to use fast trip. Started pinging and check engine light came on and had to take it in. Went back to good gas and problem gone. Not the first time that has happened in my life.

[dogbert]

One other thing, sometimes gas stations mix the gas. I've had a couple of times where they've put premium in the regular gas. Every time that happens, my F-150's check engine light comes on.

[KonaKing]

In my case I purchased gas from the retailer that had been sitting to long it was 91 oct. The word that with high prices this is not selling right now so it stays in their tanks longer ???????????????

[dogbert]

All the more reason to carry some Stabil with you. That will take care of the problem.