Why is There no Bad Gasoline Today?

[Briar Lee]

I was explaining to my son that as late as about thirty years ago getting a bad tank of gasoline wasn’t that uncommon. They still make Heat to pour in your tank to try and correct it.

Do we still get bad gas, and the onboard engine computer controls correct for it?

Or have the gas stations figured out how to never sell a tank with water or low octane where the engine pings?

Good old days, my ass.

 

[sablebrush52]

It’s all just part of the larger simulation.

 

[condorlover1]

Most pre-war British bikes will only run on pool petrol which is defined as 3 Star or pretty low octane petrol. I have to use an additive with modern fuel and change the timing on my magneto to avoid burning out the valve seats or stems.

 

[Sigmund]

Ive had mechanics that still swear that there remains bad gas in cheapo markets. Maybe not as bad as the good ole days but still some less clean versions. Also there are likely to be stations with older and not well sealed underground tanks. Regulation supposed to addres it but....

That said, Ive never had a tank of gas that was just obviously garbage.

Also I think in most areas gas moves fast enough that it doesnt sit for long. Rapid product movement tends to result in more even quality. Sitting in an underground tank forever is not a good thing.

 

[El Capitán]

The only thing I can think of is using the wrong grade of gas in a vehicle. I had left my little brother my Lexus but he didn't put in the higher octane gas and the engine gummed up.

 

[didimauw]

I don't know much about this. But In Wisconsin, different counties require different rules. The county I'm in, I have gas with ethanol in it. And I have to pass emissions testing every other year. The next county over, they have no ethanol in their gas, and they aren't required to pass emissions.....

 

[daveinlax]

I don't know much about this. But In Wisconsin, different counties require different rules. The county I'm in, I have gas with ethanol in it. And I have to pass emissions testing every other year. The next county over, they have no ethanol in their gas, and they aren't required to pass emissions.....

You’re talking about the reformulated gas sold in the 6 county MKE metro. Regular gas in the rest of Wisconsin has ethanol added.

 

[didimauw]

You’re talking about the reformulated gas sold in the 6 county MKE metro. Regular gas in the rest of Wisconsin has ethanol added.

No I'm comparing Racine county where I live, to Walworth county. Maybe my facts are wrong about the gas, but that's what I was told atleast.

 

[username]

I could be wrong but I thought ethanol in gas was mandated by the feds?

 

[Briar Lee]

I could be wrong but I thought ethanol in gas was mandated by the feds?

Sorta.

Most states where corn is raised have governors who require ethanol in the gas but, there are exceptions for outdoor equipment.

I only run ethanol free gas in my Yamaha Rhino.

As a fuel saving and environmental measure ethanol in gasoline is controversial.

As an effective farm program it works.

 

[username]

Sorta.

Most states where corn is raised have governors who require ethanol in the gas but, there are exceptions for outdoor equipment.

I only run ethanol free gas in my Yamaha Rhino.

As a fuel saving and environmental measure ethanol in gasoline is controversial.

As an effective farm program it works.

Ah OK wasn't sure

 

[huntertrw]

Occasionally I get bad gas, but usually only after eating chili or something made with cabbage...

 

[huntertrw]

I recall an episode of "Leave It To Beaver" wherein Ward told June that, as a kid, he strained gasoline for his outboard motor through his sock. Impurities must have been a problem in that day and age.

 

[lraisch]

When I worked in a gas station (over 50 years ago) we had to "stick" the tanks daily and pump out any water. I believe that environmental regulations may have reduced the number of leaky tanks and there are simply fewer gas stations these days. The fact that lead is no longer used means more additives like MTBE and the oxygenates that replaced it and perhaps just more scrutiny of what comes out of the refineries.

 

[Servant King]

Here in the mountains of Southern California, I get bad gas from time to time. Fortunately, limiting my cabbage intake usually takes care of the problem.

 

[huntertrw]

 

[daveinlax]

I recall an episode of "Leave It To Beaver" wherein Ward told June that, as a kid, he strained gasoline for his outboard motor through his sock. Impurities must have been a problem in that day and age.

LoL! I’ve delt with outboard motors and their tanks my whole life. I’ve never strained gas but I’ve let the junk and water settle and syphoned off the clean gas on the top dozens of times. I spend the extra buck a gal for the ethanol free premium gas for the boats. Ethanol attracts water.

 

[VDL_Piper]

It exists especially in the diesel market and when it happens it's damn costly. A new diesel pump on a tractor or truck will cost you well north of $15k to replace.

 

[sardonicus87]

Well, people today are a lot more mobile than in the past and a lot more people have vehicles. It's pretty easy for most stations to have fresh gas when they aren't out in the boonies. Also, there's better fuel stabilizing additives these days, and different octane boosting compounds.

I wouldn't doubt if that's the reason you don't see nearly as much bad gas as in the past (at least, direct from the gas pump).

 

[Hillcrest]

I was buying gasoline at a local station (Shell) because it was 5 cents cheaper... after talking to a friend I decided to buy gasoline at a station in the next town (only 3 cents cheaper than avg.) ... I have driven twice as far on the next town gasoline and will be buying there from now on. It was a busy Cumberland farms gas station with 16 pumps. There is still bad gas in some places. I'm disappointed I didn't switch sooner. Also the coffee and pastry is better at the Cumberlands !