Re:93 Octane for the 164

[George Graves <gmgraves@domain.elided>]

on 4/22/02 7:24 PM, alfa-digest at owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided wrote:

> 
> Well... I realize it's six in one and a third of a
> dozen in the other, so to speak, but I was poring over
> my recently acquired copy of the "2000 Berlina/2000 GT
> Veloce/2000 Spider Veloce Technical Characteristics
> and Principal Inspection Specifications" document,
> which appears to be the dealer checklist for setting
> these cars up properly after being unloaded.
> 
> On page 3, it says, under the heading "Fuel:"
> 
> "IMPORTANT
> 
> Use of the correct fuel cannot be overemphasized.
> Recent changes in "Octane Ratings" can cause
> confusion. Below are the octane numbers required for
> your engine:
> 
> - Research method (RON)          91 minimum
> - FTC method*                    87 minimum
> 
> * This rating number is required by the Federal Trade
> Commission to be posted on gasoline pumps in filling
> stations after March 15, 1972.  While it is not an
> actual measure of an engine's requirement, its purpose
> is to approximate the actual octane requirement on the
> road."
> 
> So it sounds to me as though those of us who need
> three cars to make up a dozen spark plugs can safely
> use the cheap gas.  Is this also the case on the big
> motors?  Is it even the case on the little ones? :-)
> 
> - --Scott Fisher
> Tualatin, Oregon

My GTV-6 shop manual also specifies 87 FTC for the 2.5 and 3-liter 12-valve
engines. I use regular er..regularly. No problems no pre-detonation. A
friend of mine who's a fuel injection specialist tells me that using too
high an octane gas can be just as deleterious to some engines as using fuel
with too low of an octane rating. Since higher octane fuel is harder to
ignite, it burns later and in some cases can still be burning when the
exhaust valve opens causing said valves to burn. Don't know if its true or
not, but the "cheap" spread works fine in my GTV-6.

George Graves
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