What gas do you all put in these 914s?

[bd1308]

Just wondering what gas you all put in your 914....since the 914 didnt have a O2 sensor i am assuming that Premium fuel woudl be a waste...but I heard that the engine runs cooler when used with 92...Just let me know. Personally, I use regular unless I am driving to/from Louisville (100 miles or so) then I use plus...

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The O2 sensor does not have any bearing on what grade of fuel is needed for an engine. That is set by the compression, combustion chamber shape, the cam grind, and so forth.

The stock 914 1.8 and 2.0 engines are spec'ed for ~87 US pump octane. The early 1.7s are spec'ed for 91+, while it appears that later 1.7s were spec'ed for ~87. See the 914 FAQ for more explanations.

I have read in a couple of spots about higher-octane fuel running cooler, too. But I don't think I buy it--at least, not that it would make enough difference to detect.

--DD

[bd1308]

shows how much i know...anyway I read 87 too...just wondering if anybody used anything higher to possibly get better MPG....although i feel like 1/4 tank over 120 miles is great...compared to two tanks of 18 gallons for the Jeep over the same distance

[BigD9146gt]

You can experiment. Try lower octane gas, and if you step on the throttle and bog the car in a high gear and it pings, let off and just remember if your going to drive your motor hard, you'll need higher octane gas. Otherwise, you'll probably be fine with lower octane for commuting.

[woodman]

The higher octane rating is it's resistance to detonation. The higher the compression, the higher octane required to burn slower, not prematurely detonate.

[lapuwali]

Octane doesn't normally affect gas mileage. Only buy higher octane gas if you ping on lower octane gas. There's no other need for it. Octane is literally just a measure of the ability to resist knock/ping/detonation. Nothing else.

[Scooter311]

Heya bd
I tried 87 in mine (2056)- ran lousy, pinged, even during normal driving. Switched to 93 (or mix in a lil' 103 from Delta Sonic occasionally) and problem solved - much smoother and happier.
Hey what kind of Jeep do you have? I have a Grand Cherokee with a 4.0 and I just started getting a erratic idling problem - wanna fix it before it gets too cold out. BTW, I get 17.5 - 19mpg with it on 87.

Cheers

[bd1308]

Is it a literall ping...bc I am pretty sure I have heard it b4 on many an occasion, but I didn't think it was anything...this happens under load, right?

[Will98D]

bd1308: 36 gallons in 120 miles is ~4mpg... maybe you should take it out of low range for the run down I-75.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Originally posted by bd1308
Is it a literall ping...bc I am pretty sure I have heard it b4 on many an occasion, but I didn't think it was anything...this happens under load, right?

Yup, under load, generally when the engine is warmed up.

To me, it sounds like a "spitting rattling" noise, not a metallic "ping".

--DD

[bd1308]

i wish somebody had a sound clip or something...i think i hear that one all the time too....does it also hesitate when that happens?

[bd1308]

LOL....the gas milage issue is due to the 31 inch tires running on 4.88 gears. Apparently that Jeep is set for rock-crawling mode, which I never really got into. I am exaggerating it a bit....but it did take a tank and a half to get to Mammoth Cave when I went.

[bd1308]

I was always into the 914, ever since we got it. I love this car and I am determined to make it work

[bd1308]

Scooter, usually the problem lies in a faulty auxillary air servo thingy....its attached to the throttle body. I heard that gets stuck and it controls the idle. Um, I would also check the O2 sensor. I have had three go out on me. The gas isnt kind to those things. I hope he gets this