Fueling question

[ceningolmo]

Couldn't find this in a search... sorry if this is a repeat.

When I fill up my car at the gas station... how much fuel is left in the line from the previous customer?

In other words, if I am putting in 93 octane, but the guy in front of me was putting in 87 octane, how much of his fuel am I putting in his tank? If I am putting any of this in the tank...how much damage am I doing?

[elwesso]

LOL

Go take the car sideways in a parking lot (i know you have plenty of snow covered parking lots).

EDIT: Against my better judgement to be a bung-hole and not be useful, id say its less than half gallon of fuel left in the lines, probably even less than that.

[ceningolmo]

Actually... I was thinking it would be less than 1/2 gallon. So, no biggie.

But, then was looking at the pump mechanism when some guy was repairing one next to me two days ago. It looked as though the switching mechanism was at, or even slightly below ground level. And, the gauge of hose/pipe was pretty thick... it was a solid 8ft of pipe from the switching mechanism to the top of the pump, plus another 8 ft of hose from the top of pump to the end nozzle. That seems like that might be a lot of gas...so, I tried calculating it as a volume. I thought the diameter of the hose/pipe looked to be about 1.5"...and, based on 16' that worked out to be a full gallon of non-premium gas based on this site ( http://www.triadclubscene.com/homewk/fluid.html ).

So... no big deal... a gallon of non premium. It's not like that is going to kill my engine.

But wait... I don't put gas in when the tank is empty. I always fill up before I reach 1/2 tank. On the average I am putting in about 10 gallons per trip to the gas station. If a gallon of that is non-premium gas, then roughly 10% of the gas going in my car is lower octane.

Figure a worst case scenario... the guy before me each time is putting in 87 octane. That means 10% of my gas is 87 octane and 90% is 93 octane...yielding an average total octane of 92.4 octane per fill up.

So... again... any big deal? Is 92.4 close enough to 93 that it won't matter?

[lino]

I never thought of this before. You're deep when it comes to your Q. I respect your thinking. I'd say your calculations are as good as a person can really calculate. I've noticed some gas stations have a separate pump for the premium gas. The other question is, how acurate is the octane level of the gas you're buying. I have heard that some people are mixing a percentage of water to make higher profits.

[ceningolmo]

I've noticed some gas stations have a separate pump for the premium gas.

That is another thing that got me thinking. I have another gas station in my area that has the OLD SCHOOl pumps where each grade of fuel is a completely separate pump. I wonder if I am safer getting my premium from them?

Quote »The other question is, how acurate is the octane level of the gas you're buying. I have heard that some people are mixing a percentage of water to make higher profits.[/quote]I considered this as well... and was discussing it with Wes on AIM last night. We came to the conclusion that it is likely that the octane ratings themselves vary more than any variance I would be introducing by putting in lower octane fuel via leftovers in the hose.

[Rex]

Just only fill up after someone that got Premuim .

[ceningolmo]

True... I've been stalking the "premium fuel buyers" around my local gas station.

They think I'm weird... "why is that weird guy with the Q45 staring at me?".

What should I answer? "Don't worry, sir. It's not you. I just want your leftover premium."

[elwesso]

i dont think id even get used gasoline........

[FarFetched]

Try to use Fuel pumps with separate dispensers!Chevron (most stations) utilize separate units.Cheers!

[Q451990]

Wow... and I thought I'd thought of everything possible to be anal about on my Q!!! I even pull the injector fuse and turn over the engine for a few seconds after an oil change to prime everything - just so I don't have to hear that first-start-after-an-oil-change rattle!

Now I have something else to do at gas stations... stalk a pump with a premium filler-upper right before me.... Thanks a lot!

Heath

[Haitian_King]

Couldn't find this in a search... sorry if this is a repeat.

When I fill up my car at the gas station... how much fuel is left in the line from the previous customer?

In other words, if I am putting in 93 octane, but the guy in front of me was putting in 87 octane, how much of his fuel am I putting in his tank? If I am putting any of this in the tank...how much damage am I doing?

Oh golly, I'm been putting Regular (87?) in my tank since I bought my Q three weeks ago. Am I killing my Q? (OH GOD NO!!!!!) For the love of Taylor, please tell me that it's not that big of a deal.

[CrimsonQ]

So... again... any big deal? Is 92.4 close enough to 93 that it won't matter?

I hope its no bidg deal.....the highest gas we have here is only 91. so im prolly only gettin 90.4

[ceningolmo]

Regular will demolish your injectors. You need to run 93+ only... as Crimson stated, he only has 91 available and has survived. But, I sure wouldn't go any lower than that. And, even then I would be running frequent doses of BG44K to clean the system and keep the octane up on that occasional tank of gas.

[CrimsonQ]

bg44k, one of those things ive never tried yet.

Replaced all 8 injectors after buying 2 years ago, so dont know any long term effects from 91.

ill have to get a can someday

last run on the g-tech was 14.7, so 91 is doing good so far

[ceningolmo]

ill have to get a can someday

last run on the g-tech was 14.7, so 91 is doing good so far

Indeed... but, you baby you're Q other than that. I definately would give the ol' BG44K a try one of these days. It isn't cheap, but it's sure effective.

Snag some off of eBay. Sometimes you can get 3 or 6 can deals for pretty cheap.

[Q45tech]

It isn't cheap, but it's sure effective.

Actually it is cheap for the amount of detergents, not as cheap as the 20-25 cents differential between regular and premium but second best.

It takes 3-4 large bottles of Techron to equal 1 - 11 ounce can of BG44k and 10-15 bottles of the less quality stuff.

Always research the amount of detergent you are buying whether 1 drop or 1 ounce in the carrier [solvent] volume.

People don't seem to realize after you clean with 11 ounces of BG44k you can take another can and STRETCH it by adding even IPA [Iso Heet] to easily divide into 4 portions for monthly use.

Make your own cleaner with 2.5 ounces in 8 ounces of something else.

[KwoodTheOne]

i wouldnt be so vague i almost added it to honey for the Q's sore throught

[ceningolmo]

i wouldnt be so vague i almost added it to honey for the Q's sore throught

What? Did you mean throat? Who were you replying to? What are you referring to?