do I have bad gas or what? real mechanical Q

83911sc · 04-30-2003, 07:53 PM

OK, sorry for the leading topic, here's the deal,

tonight while driving home, I got the car up to normal operating temp, shifting at 3k through all gears, modest acceleration. After she was up to temp (between the first and second marks), I started getting on it a bit, I was ok taking the shift points to 4.5 on a modest acceleratio curve, not problem.

BUt, when I tried going strong up the rpms btwn 2nd and 3rd, at about 3500rpm I got this bad rattle sound from the engine. I backed off and listened for other sounds . .. nothing (except my heart and wallet beating). Everything seems normal - oil pressure, temp and oil level (mine actually tracks pretty accurately). There seems to be no problem as long as I kept it easy on the way up.

THe only variable that I can think of is that about 30 miles ago I filled up the tank - it was really low and I couldn't wait to ge to AMOCO, where I ALWAYS fill up. I filled up with Sunoco.

Ok, all that for the question: is it possible that it is the diferent gas? Is it b/c I might have pulled some sludge from the bottom of the tank? Or, do I have a real mechanincal problem here? btw fuel filet was changed about 20K miles ago.

Thanks in advance

Adam

Garyo4 · 04-30-2003, 08:00 PM

For the minimal cost, I'd change out the fuel filter. You say there's 20,000 miles on it? Keep the gas that's retained in the fuel filter and dump it into a glass jar, let it settle and have a look at it to see if any water has settled to the bottom of it. That should be a pretty good indicator if you have water in your gas.
Regards,
Gary

83911sc · 05-01-2003, 04:31 AM

Gary - I am planning on replacing the fuel filter, but do you think that might be the sudden cause of the rattle?

Adam

83911sc · 05-01-2003, 07:38 AM

Anybody else have any thoughts? Is it possible that it was just the change in gas, or maybe sludge from the bottom of a near empty tank that caused this rattle or do I have something serious to worry about?

thanks

Adam

Jdub · 05-01-2003, 08:08 AM

Probably not the case on your car, but the bypass pipe I put in required I screw something in the O2 sensor (not needed on my '78). The tapered brass fill plug I used in that sensor rattled something awful before I figured it out.

You might go over your exhaust system though. Nuts, bolts, straps.

John