I went to look at an 03 SE 6 speed yesterday with 80K on it with an Injen intake. When I drove it and stepped on the throttle it didn't feel powerful enaugh. I had an 02 before and it seemed more powerful. Then I noticed that in pretty much any gear when I give it a little throttle, just feather it, the motor starts to tick, very lightly. I found out that he has been putting 87 octane and 89 octane in it for the past 7-8k miles. Is that the reason why it's not so powerful and has the tick? Is that lifters ticking or valves? Could it have done damage long term? Will it go away once I would start putting 91-93 octane and will it be more powerful? The intake wasn't even screaming as loud as I expected it to. My frankencar was way louder.
Thanks everyone, any input is appreciated,

Konrad

 

yes that is knocking (detonation) as a result of using low octane fuel (detonation is occurring before the spark)
the lack of power is a result of the car retarding the timing because of that.

 

Is there any permanent damage? Will it go away if I was to put 91-93 in?
Thanks

 

it will go away after a few tanks of the proper fuel. there shouldnt be any permanent damage.

 

i used the cheap stuff in my car for maybe 2 months....in fact i drove 1000 miles in my car WITH THE CHEAP STUFF (UGH)..... I then got the check Engine light, and knew JUST WHAT IT WAS.....it was then i started using Premium gas, and 2 days later the check engine light went out.....never got the essence of knocking though

 

We all now what you meant but what you described (combustion occurring before the spark) is called pre-ignition/dieseling and destroys engines very quickly. What he was experiencing is knock/detonation/pinging which is when the end gas remaining after normal combustion has already been initiated spontaneously ignites. Just wanted to clarify.

 

yeah...thats what i meant. thanks for clearing it up for him

 

Thanks for the responses. Either way, any permanent damage to the motor? Or will it just go back to normal after putting premium in?

 

.......................

 

If you put a full tank of premium and allow the fuel to cycle through the lines - maybe 20 miles - and if it still knocks, you've got a problem. Fuel with the proper octane should stop the knocking immediately.

 

Add a Can of Seafoam to the tank

 

Someone should dyno test their car with 87 octane, 89 octane, then 93 octane to see what the actual difference in power is. On my 03, I've put in 87 before and the car felt like it lost 30 HP and my MPG went from 24.3 down to 21.8. I always use Premium now even though in Chicago, I pay $3.74/gal. Although premium cost more at the pump, it pays for itself in the long run once you go through a full tank.

 

god to live in europe with that super explosive stuff they have over there...*sigh*... you know the rumor is that with bio corn alchol fuel we would actually see an even bigger increase in more power and cleaner burning...so why isn't this stuff in our gas stations now?