Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Dave,

Ethanol is a big problem for CIS cars due to the materials used inside the fuel distributors: specifically the O-rings and non stainless steel components.

Ethanol attacks the O-rings and water corrodes the steel parts causing fuel delivery issues.

Questions???

theiceman

.. and there you have it .. I actually thought of the fuel distributor but didn't know the details ..thanks Steve ..and those FD's aint cheap

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Not only are the FD's not cheap, they are NLA. All one can buy are "rebuilt" ones and thats a FAR cry from something new.

My advice is to take very good care of the CIS components due to the short supply of rebuilt parts and the permanent absence of new ones.

BLEW911

Just what does "taking good care of" involve?

theiceman

non ethanol gas for starters ... i run a bottle of Techron through once a year also and never have had any issues .. even starts on sub zero days on the first crank.

Todd951968

I noticed the 10% ethanol label at BP for the first time last night, filling up the Jeep. Do all major fuel stations sell gas with ethanol now or are there some that still sell straight gas? If so, who?

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

The vast majority of gas stations in the US sell E10 as mandated by the EPA. This means that all gasolines sold at the pump contain 10% ethanol as the required oxygenate. Racing gasolines without ethanol and marine fuels are exempt but not legal for road use.

Good maintenance means:

1) Changing fuel filters at LEAST annually.

2) Keeping the tank full during Fall & Winter to minimize condensation.

3) Using Stabil in the fuel as a preservative. This keeps the gas from gumming up, prevents corrosion, and helps protect the vulnerable rubber parts in the system.

4) Using engine cleaners such as Techron, LubroMoly, etc to keep the injectors clear and intake valves clean of carbon.

These measures go a long way toward keeping the CIS components functioning properly. One should have the injectors tested and cleaned periodically by a shop with the Bosch test fixture made for this express purpose.

theiceman

Steve here in Canada you can get shell V-power .. this is the higest Octane and has no ethanol. I have seen a couple of stations in the US while travelling their who advertse no ethanol .
I think you have to AVERAGE 10% or something I think ,. i have seen stations in the past with 20% in the lo grade 10% in the mid grade .. and 0% inthe high test ..

911Dave

Thanks, NOW I get it!

911Dave

Does the CIS turbo (76-94) have a fuel distributor that's just as at risk as the NA cars?

I've been thinking about buying a 930 but maybe it's not such a good idea if the turbo's days are numbered.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Each and every 930, '76-'94 came with a form of CIS fuel injection and is vulnerable to E10.

I would not worry as long as one follows the steps I've outlined above,.... Obviously, one needs to buy a well-maintained Turbo, not simply a cheaply-priced one. Good cars stand head & shoulders above the rest but they are not inexpensive.

A Turbo is in my future, as well,...

Ed Hughes

Hey Steve-

What is your philosophy on when to run Techron as an additive? Just prior to an oil change? I've always had the suspicion that some of it may not burn and work it's way to the case. Old wive's tale or fact?

I will say that Techron run during a DE weekend seems to be extremely effective.

rusnak

I like a product made by BG called 44k. It's added to the gas and seems to work very well. I don't think I'll be doing the Mystery Oil into the intake again.

Alpine 88

Steve, it sounds as if your advice also applies to the Motronic (non-CIS) '84-'89 Carrera NA cars. Correct?

GothingNC

More info

http://www.fuel-testers.com/index.html

John