I have been using Chevron since I own the car. I did switch to Shell once a while (out of conveniences) but ended up go back to Chevron. The lastest use of Shell brought something weird.

Anyway, ~1.5 months ago, I swtiched to use Shell again. That night when I tried to start the Max after a dinner, the car just died after I started it. It happened twice until I press the gas right after I turned the key. I ran fine though. Even since, everytime I start the car after a long rest, the rpm will goes from ~1000, then drop to ~250 (very low), and it seems going to die, and back to ~800. The car drives fine though.

At first I thought it was the over-due spark plugs change. However, I changed it last weekend, together with a new fuel filter and it is still the same. The air filter is still good.

Any ideas? Maybe I should try to switch back to Chevron?

 

I doubt it has anything to do with the change in gas companies, Sunny. Two possible causes according to the Haynes manual are: vacuum leakage or leaking EGR valve. Is it missing or just idling erratically? Have you cleaned the IACV?

 

Remember the problems Shell customers had back in 2003?

Vehicle gas gauge problem in north/central Alberta
and northeast B.C.

http://www.shell.ca/code/library/new..._advisory.html

Thursday February 27, 2003

Calgary, Alberta - This week Shell Canada will be communicating with its customers in Northern and Central Alberta and Northeastern B.C. about a link between Shell gasoline and a small number of erratic or failed gas gauges.

In late January, Shell had reports of above-average rates of gas gauge malfunctions. Shell investigated these reports as part of its Quality Assurance Program. Many factors can contribute to gas gauge problems, including age and normal wear and tear.

Shell pinpointed a problem in its Scotford refining operation that affected gasoline production. In some cases the gasoline left a deposit on the fuel sending unit, causing the gas gauge to malfunction. Shell treated its gasoline, and continuing to use it should restore gas gauge function. While using the treated gasoline should restore gas gauge function, customers experiencing persistent problems are asked to call Shell.

This week Shell retailers in affected areas will post notices at sites about potential gas gauge problems and encourage customers with questions to contact Shell’s Customer Support Centre at 1-866-900-9100.

"Shell sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience this problem has caused our customers," said Shell Vice President of Marketing, Terry Blaney. "We stand behind the quality of our products and encourage any customers experiencing gas gauge problems to contact us."

This problem with gas gauges in Northern and Central Alberta and Northeastern B.C. is not related to an earlier issue with a fuel additive that was resolved in 2002.

Media Inquiries:

Simone Marler
Manager, Public Affairs
Shell Canada Products
(403) 691-2065

 

His problem is related to his rpm's as registered by his tachometer and has nothing to do with his fuel gauge.-

 

I never use Shell.
I'd burn off the Shell gasoline and switch back to Chevron.

Here's another more recent article:
http://north.cbc.ca/regional/servlet...l-gas-02172005

 

Well, besides the weird start, everything else works great! The idle is fine. The engine still runs as smooth as I remember.

The current tank of gas is running low, so I will switch to Chevron and see what happen.

 

I normally run either Chevron or Petro Canada in both my cars, but in the last 3 or 4 months have used Shell a few times with no advese effects. I guess the way to tell is to go back to Chevron and give it a couple of tanks and see what happens. What octane have you been using?

 

I always put 92.

 

I doubt that a diffrent brand of gas can cause this, especially among "brand name" gas.

 

I've also noticed that the quality of Shell seems to be lackluster to say the least. I avoid their gas as personal experience has shown weaker engine strength. I also find that that my 95 SE runs much more fluid on Chevron or Esso. With my VW Rocco, I found the same thing.

 

I use Shell w/o any probs

 

i switch b/t shell and BP all the time w/o any problems. is the canadian shell gasoline possibly different than the US?

 

Check for codes. It's probably just a coincidence that you changed gas.

 

Even though I use Chevron for 90% of my gas, I have to agree that its probably not the Shell. I'd buy a bottle of Redline fuel system cleaner and dump the whole bottle of it into 3/4 tank of different gas, just out of curiosity. (Ive been told that that stuff really works.)

 

i've been using shell ever since i got my car, no problems with shell for me.

 

Ok. I filled up at Chevron on Monday (evening) with ~1/5 of tank left.

Today is Thur. So far I only experience one "weak" start like before, and it was as bad as the Shell. When I was using Shell gas, the rpm will drop to around 200-300 (almost 0). For Chevron gas, it is ~700rpm. The range is a lot smaller. I didn't change anything in between.

BTW, I did ran a bottle of Redline fuel system cleaner ~2 months ago.

 

How many miles on your car? Have you cleaned the throttle body? My car was starting as you described b/c of a dirty tb.

 

My max does the same thing it will come on and then the idle goes crazy. It will stay on for about 2-3 seconds and cut off. It doesnt happen to often though. The first time i remember it happening is about 3 months ago. I got scared the first time it happened but the car runs fine so i didnt worry about it.

 

i run shell premium all the time, and ive never experienced anything but good driving. lately ive been using 76 (6 cents cheaper), and it too is good stuff. maybe your local shell station just got a bad batch.

 

All oil is shipped through the same pipelines across the united states. Say shell puts in 1000gals of premium grade in Texas, well that same day they may pull out 1000 gals in Wisconsin, or whever else they need it. It is impossible to track which oil you are getting. Therefore, the only difference in one gas to another is the additives they add at the very end (virtually the same mind you), and the tanks that hold them. If it's an old station, especially one that doesn't do much business, you could have the gasoline attracting all kinds of nasty **** from the holding tank.

 

My is at ~72,000 miles. I cleam the throttle body once at arond 55,000 miles (IIRC). Weather is getting nicer and I think it is time to clean the TB again.

Can it be an issue with KS or O2 sensors?

Put those aside, since everything else is the same, and my Max starts better with Chevron gas, so I guess Chevron gas is better for my car then.

 

i've always used shell and never had a problem, i thought shell is a better gas company than chevron at least i never see them around here

 

It's the additives that can make the difference, I found my car ran smoother switching from Shell long term to Esso always used 92 but I would highly recommend cleaning your IACV? I couldn't believe how much smoother my Max ran after doing that more so than the TB clean. Use the TB cleaner on the IACV. Bet your Max will run nice after the switch and clean, if not, it hasn't cost you anything. ( well just a can of TB cleaner from Crappy tire if you don't already have it already)


IACV = #11, Courtesy of Blackcat.

 

Thanks for the tips.

Do I have to take it out to clean it? It looks like it is at the driver side of the engine, correct? Do I need to replace the gasket afterward?

 

Yes it's 3 bolts and a couple of elctrical plugs, yes drivers side facing firewall near throttle cables, re use gasket I think it is plastic, def not a paper material. Once you've removed it, there are two phillips screws inside to remove what looks like a brass housing, I took that off, sprayed it and inside of the IACV with TB cleaner, dried it out and reassembled.