Fussy about petrol

[lyceus]

Hi All,

I've been running my Chim on Shell V-Power (or whatever it used to be called) since I got it, and it's always been pretty good. Since the beginning of winter, I have been noticing lumpy running, where at lowish revs or slow acceleration, there's almost a stalling type shunting going on. It's doesn't stop or anything, it just "has a moment".

Last week I virtually run dry and have to stop at the first opportunity - happens to be a BP station, so I put in a splash (cos previous experience tells me the engine doesn't like their stuff), and 10 miles later the car is responding beautifully (although not popping quite as much as usual), no hesitation at all. I thought it might be due to the warmer weather...

Anyway, I fill up again with V-Power yesterday, and the horrible running has come back

Now, the obvious thing is to start filling up with BP Ultimate, but I was wondering if this might be an indication of something going wrong under the bonnet? If it makes a difference, I have had a Tornado chip fitted.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Chris.

P.S. Don't want to start a "this fuel is better than that one" war, just an observation I have made specific to my motor

[zippee]

Mines totally the opposite. Loves V-Power but runs rough as hell on Ultimate.

[WazzaL]

I had the same experience as you. Smoother running, less pops and bangs with the BP.

Tried the Tesco 99 stuff and it runs smoothly as well, plus got really good mpg out of it. Had it in for the Ride Rive + handling and it lasted all day averaging 19.5mpg

Strange that people experience different things, but it seems to pay off to try a few and decide what suits you and your car best.

[stu 9thgate]

From what I was told my motor had run on shell optimax for nearly all its life. So when v-power came out it was a natural step to keep with Shell fuel.
I have never had any problems running on Shell yet( fingers crossed).

On the subject though, does any one know how im going to get on finding Shell garages on my way to Le Mans this year.

I don’t fancie running out near a tesco garage!

[Nuggs]

zippee said:

Mines totally the opposite. Loves V-Power but runs rough as hell on Ultimate.

Same for me, while Tesco 99 adds about 100db to the pops on the overrun.

Very odd!

[.Mark]

Nuggs said:

zippee said:

Mines totally the opposite. Loves V-Power but runs rough as hell on Ultimate.

Same for me, while Tesco 99 adds about 100db to the pops on the overrun.

Very odd!

Tesco 99 all the way for me too - can't be beat.

But back to the OP's original question, I've no idea why it should make so much difference, I mean it's all pretty much the same stuff.

[Nuggs]

.Mark said:

Nuggs said:

zippee said:

Mines totally the opposite. Loves V-Power but runs rough as hell on Ultimate.

Same for me, while Tesco 99 adds about 100db to the pops on the overrun.

Very odd!

Tesco 99 all the way for me too - can't be beat.

Actually mine runs better on V-Power, Tesco 99 just seems to make it pop and bang more...

[.Mark]

Nuggs said:

.Mark said:

Nuggs said:

zippee said:

Mines totally the opposite. Loves V-Power but runs rough as hell on Ultimate.

Same for me, while Tesco 99 adds about 100db to the pops on the overrun.

Very odd!

Tesco 99 all the way for me too - can't be beat.

Actually mine runs better on V-Power, Tesco 99 just seems to make it pop and bang more...

Oh. Sorry.

[area]

Usually run mine on V-Power and it's V-happy. But if I have to fill up with something else and it starts running a bit rough, I disconnect/reconnect the ECU in the passenger footwell and life's smooth again.

Just proves that these cars are almost alive.

[simonb9]

Seems everybody uses the 99 octane stuff.......any reason for not using normal unleaded ??

[Rum Runner]

I find my HC smoother on Esso super.

[GreenGriff400]

Rum Runner said:

I find my HC smoother on Esso super.

My Griff runs fine on Esso Super as well.

[LeoV8]

I found my Chimaera 450 runs only reasonably well on V power but uneconomically as bad as 15 mpg. Seems to prefer Texaco 97. Different fuel definately has quite an effect. The wife let it run out of fuel, it didn't like that much I can tell you! Has this happened to anyone else? Injector cleaner seems to be helping.

[djo2267]

can someone tell me what the different prices are per litre?thanks

[Cider Andy]

simonb9 said:

Seems everybody uses the 99 octane stuff.......any reason for not using normal unleaded ??

Pinking. If you're using standard (95RON) unleaded and it doesn't pink, keep using it.

[Cider Andy]

stu 9thgate said:

On the subject though, does anyone know how I'm going to get on finding Shell garages on my way to Le Mans this year?

You'll struggle in France. But most stations sell 98RON unleaded and it's about the same price as the regular stuff here.

[jonnyb]

djo2267 said:

can someone tell me what the different prices are per litre?thanks

That depends on where you buy the stuff. The Tescos near me is one of the most expensive around, so that is selling the 95 stuff at 89p the 97 stuff is about 94p so 5p difference. The Shell station about 7 miles up the road is selling the 95 stuff for 86p and the V-power for 90p and this is the cheapest around.

[unclemark123]

i run on standard 85 unleaded! anything else and the car pinks badly :-(

[davidlscott]

My nearest garage is Texaco and has the nerve to charge 98.9 for super

I only splashed the other day rather than pay them for whole tank full.

They also used to buy stamps from the post office and then sell them on for 1p extra!!!!

Edited by davidlscott on Friday 30th March 16:19

Edited by davidlscott on Friday 30th March 16:19

[blitzracing]

Anyone tried advancing the ignition timing a degree or 2 to make the most of the high octane fuels ? There seems little point in paying the extra unless the engine is set up. I think the standard RV8 is 6-8' static for 95, but I dont know if TVR advance this a bit as standard. It would certainly pink on 95 if they do.