Wrong Octane Fuel

[intimid8er]

Last week, I was distracted at the pump, and put the wrong octane fuel in the tank.

The manual calls for Premium. The clerk had given me a hard time about some pricing for a product I was purchasing that was clearly contrary to what was marked on the shelf. I let her have her little victory without a fight. There are other ways of solving this without "getting into it" with a minimum wage worker. I was mentally repeating the exchange, and plotting how to prove myself right without confrontation the next time I stop in. I glanced at the multi-pump and saw the pricing @ $3.11. I remembered that is what I paid last week across town for Premium, and put the nozzle in my tank and selected the price of $3.11.

A few minutes later, I have fuel boiling up to the top of the neck of the tank, and quite a ways to go on the pump before I got all the gas I paid for into the tank. Apparently, I calculated and paid for the proper grade of fuel, but did not follow through. And selected the cheaper grade of fuel.

Long and short of it. The bike ran like crap. I guess with a 12.5:1 compression ration, you have to follow the octane recommendations pretty close. Especially, with the cruddy fuel management computer that is stock on Buells. In the afternoon, the bike was knocking, rattling, and all manner of not good stuff. I stopped and got a can of octane booster. Added it to the tank, and ran it for a while. It had helped a bit, but I haven't been able to really "get on it" without hearing some noises. Finally, I used up the old stuff, and filled up with a fresh tank.

Yes....I selected the proper grade this time!

[Clint]

Yeah, bikes don't have the engine management that cars have. I can run 87 in our Passat turbo with little more ill effect than reduced power thanks to timing adjustments by the computer.

[drgibson]

welcome to the world of High Test Harleys.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Yeah, bikes don't have the engine management that cars have. I can run 87 in our Passat turbo with little more ill effect than reduced power thanks to timing adjustments by the computer.

That Delphi system that Buell is mandated to use by Harley is absolutely deplorable.

If there is any one thing that will prevent me from keeping the bike past it's warranty period is the fuel management system.

Originally Posted by drgibson

welcome to the world of High Test Harleys.

This whole thing happened over the pricing of Monster Energy Drink. So according to six degrees of separation, you are somehow in the loop for being at fault here!


They (Monsters) were clearly marked 2 for $3.00. As I put them on the counter, not only did she snatch them with her fingers where I gotta put my mouth. She snottily anounces that these aren't under special. I mentioned they were clearly marked as such. She retorts like she's winning the debate on WMD in Iraq in front of the U.N. that it's only the "Green" ones. I started to speak again, and she cut me off, and smugly anounced that it's only the green ones again. I was in shock at her abruptness, but also knew it ain't worth the effort to debate her. I figured I'd roll her under the bus the next time I see the manager, and I'll show up everyday until I do.

I was so not wanting to deal with her, that I had money coming back to me from the pump, but refused to go in and speak with her again over some change!

[drgibson]

I get my monsters at Wally world they sell them in 4 packs for $6.50 cheapest I've found.
I figure it's cheaper then smoking.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by drgibson

I get my monsters at Wally world they sell them in 4 packs for $6.50 cheapest I've found.
I figure it's cheaper then smoking.

They had 'em there @ my local Wally's for $5.89 a couple of weeks ago. $13.xx for the twelve pack. Geez....which one am I gonna take!??

[tricker]

i snagged a few amp'd energy drinks for $1.09 at HyVee here in town... I really should have picked up a few more