Finally...

[Chally]

I finally did some work on the Q last weekend. It took me 7 hours of work, (& I do this for a job)

1) I replaced both Knock Sensors as well as the sensor plugs. You can buy new ones that are stainless, so hopefully they won't corrode.

2) I replaced the Thermostat & Temp sensor.

3) Removed & re-sealed R/H tappet cover.

4) Removed & cleaned the PCV valve. This is a MUST if you are getting oil in the intake & really should be done annually.

The Q now just follows the accelerator every time you accelerate & the engine has so much more power, (or what it should have) & it's so much nicer to drive. I only use 98octane fuel & with a full load of family & rolls of cloth in the trunk (don't ask), it skithers the rears under full acceleration. Man it's GREAT!!!

Just DO IT.

[QShip]

3) Removed & re-sealed R/H tappet cover.

What is a tappet cover?

[AZhitman]

Aussie-speak for Valve Cover.

[forecast]

I've done all that except the KS on my car and to me 7 hours is a *super* time to get all that done. Those covers are a major pain to get off and cleaned and back on. Congrats.

[Chally]

Thanks AZhitman. I must remember to translate occasionally

Yes, we actually call it by both names. Valve cover is self explanitary, but Tappet cover is because it covers the tappets... you know, the things that go tap tap tap tap when the valve clearances are out of adjustment...

[BadQ45t]

98 Octane, what does that equate to in the US??? We're stuck with 91 octane in California now, I frankly cannot really tell the diff but I'd like to try 93 or 94 like they have in other states.

[Chally]

Dennis could probably explain it better, but the higher Octane rating doesn't necessarily mean better fuel. It's actually the ability of the fuel to burn that counts.

From what I've gleaned, your 93 octane is pretty close to our 98 octane.

Do a search on Fuel, as there is a few good posts on the subject.

[Q45tech]

You have to understand that each batch of gasoline from the same refinery has different percentages of the 100 or so compounds found in basic generic gasolne. Every tankful is different after the service station refills the tanks!

MTBE and Ethanol have a motor octane of 114-118 so 90% basic gasoline and 10% of the other can raise the 87 basic gasoline by [...({87x.9} + {116 x 0.1})/2=89.9

The refinery makes the gasoline and tests what they make, if it meets specs its shipped, if it doesn't it's tweaked till close.Since the storage tanks at the end of pipeline hold 100,000 gallons.....even a weak batch gets averaged or a primo batch gets diluted.

The exact composition varies with the country the oil comes from and even the well were it is extracted..........thank goodness you can blend and segregate the goop coming in to the refinery.

Average pump octane is fairly meaningless all it tells you is that some combination of the two test results in close to 91 or 92, or 93 octane.