Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-09-2014, 04:11 PM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 442
Garage
octane effects power and engine temp?

Hey guys/gals. I topped off my fuel tank last night, about half empty, with 87 octane with no ethanol. this morning I noticed less power. This evening I noticed even less power and the engine was not as snappy to rev and it was running warmer than usual. Oil looks clean, no condensates, coolant level is topped off and clean. I topped off the tank on my way home tonight, 91 octane, the highest I can get here, the engine ran at normal temp and the engine felt a little stronger but not as strong as I'm used to. Did I just get some bad gas? I was able to squeeze 3.4 gallons of 91 octane while topping off tonight.
jdlmodelt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2014, 05:12 PM   #2
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,614
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdlmodelt View Post
Hey guys/gals. I topped off my fuel tank last night, about half empty, with 87 octane with no ethanol. this morning I noticed less power. This evening I noticed even less power and the engine was not as snappy to rev and it was running warmer than usual. Oil looks clean, no condensates, coolant level is topped off and clean. I topped off the tank on my way home tonight, 91 octane, the highest I can get here, the engine ran at normal temp and the engine felt a little stronger but not as strong as I'm used to. Did I just get some bad gas? I was able to squeeze 3.4 gallons of 91 octane while topping off tonight.
Ethanol is lower total BTU content than gas by about 1/3, so any fuel containing a level of ethanol is going to be down on power and mileage.
__________________
Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
JFP in PA is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2014, 05:15 PM   #3
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 442
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by JFP in PA View Post
Ethanol is lower total BTU content than gas by about 1/3, so any fuel containing a level of ethanol is going to be down on power and mileage.
will the engine run noticebly hotter too?
jdlmodelt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2014, 04:48 AM   #4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,614
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdlmodelt View Post
will the engine run noticebly hotter too?
It could, but that could also be related to the overall quality of the gas as well.
__________________
Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
JFP in PA is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2014, 05:19 PM   #5
Registered User
 
JAAY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: shoreham, ny
Posts: 1,619
Why would you put 87 in???
__________________
996 3.4 engine with 2.7 986 5speed transmission
Ebay Headers, Fabspeed high flow cats, JIC Cross, IPD Plenum, H&R Coilovers, B&M Short Shifter, AEM Uego Gauge Type Analog, Apexi S-AFC Select, 987 air box, Litronics, 2000 Tails and side markers, painted center console, 18" 987 S-Wheels, GT3 Front bumper with splitter.
JAAY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2014, 05:22 PM   #6
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 442
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by JAAY View Post
Why would you put 87 in???
Its all the station had that I stopped at. They were the last station in the region that wasn't putting 10% ethanol in the gas. But, I think I would be better with 91 and 10% ethanol?
jdlmodelt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2014, 05:28 PM   #7
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 442
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdlmodelt View Post
Its all the station had that I stopped at. They were the last station in the region that wasn't putting 10% ethanol in the gas. But, I think I would be better with 91 and 10% ethanol?
I didn't notice, it must have happened recently, my wife said there is a new sticker that indicates 10% ethanol plus the inferior 87 octane. double whammy
jdlmodelt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2014, 06:21 PM   #8
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 442
Garage
my idle is rock solid
jdlmodelt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2014, 07:37 PM   #9
Registered User
 
Porsche9's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 1,796
87 octane??? In a Porsche?? Ferdinand Porsche is rolling over in his grave.
__________________
03 Carrera
02 Boxster S Guards Red, black interior with matching hardtop
89 Carrera 4
89 944 S2
78 911SC
Porsche9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2014, 07:16 AM   #10
Registered User
 
BYprodriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: O.C. CA
Posts: 3,709
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdlmodelt View Post
Its all the station had that I stopped at. They were the last station in the region that wasn't putting 10% ethanol in the gas. But, I think I would be better with 91 and 10% ethanol?
This must be a high elevation location. High altitude reduces octane requirement since the lower oxygen content richens the air/fuel ratio.
__________________
OE engine rebuilt,3.6 litre LN Engineering billet sleeves,triple row IMSB,LN rods. Deep sump oil pan with DT40 oil.
BYprodriver is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 10:07 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2025 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page