Notices

Sparkly KnockLink - bad fuel?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02 January 2005, 06:13 PM
  #1  
AndyC_772
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
AndyC_772's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Swilling coffee at my lab bench
Posts: 9,096
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Sparkly KnockLink - bad fuel?

My '05 JDM STI now has 3200 miles on the clock, and up until today I'd never seen more than a single flickering green light on the Knocklink - exactly what I'd expect given that the car was sold with a UK fuel remap. I've been using straight SUL with no particular brand preference, and even the first green only flickers at full chat.

Today I filled up with BP Ultimate and, after a gentle 20-30 miles or so, I floored the throttle and all 5 lights flickered on Even modest acceleration now lights the first LED.

I'm guessing it's just a bad tank of fuel and that all I need to do is take it easy until it's time to refuel - right? Any other suggestions?

I'm surprised at the difference between this tank and every previous one; maybe it's no wonder cars sometimes inexplicably blow up if there's this much variation in fuel quality
Old 02 January 2005, 06:19 PM
  #2  
New_scooby_04
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
 
New_scooby_04's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The Terry Crews of moderation. P P P P P P POWER!!
Posts: 18,687
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Andy, Have you noticed this on BP ultimate before? I've seen several threads on here that have contained comments about greater KL activity on BP ultimate.

Best,
Old 02 January 2005, 06:21 PM
  #3  
AndyC_772
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
AndyC_772's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Swilling coffee at my lab bench
Posts: 9,096
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

No, I've not seen any more than a single flickering green before, and BP have a virtual monopoly on the garages near me so I've definitely used Ultimate before many times.
Old 02 January 2005, 07:25 PM
  #4  
scoobydood
Scooby Regular
 
scoobydood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: OX16
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thumbs down

I have only used BP Ultimate a few times and every time (except 1) my knocklink has shown much more activity than even on Supermarket SUL so I never touch the stuff anymore. My brothers 350bhp 1.8t Corrado melted a piston the one and only time he used BP Ultimate less than 30 minutes after filling up (coincidence perhaps?).... The motor had been running fine with that spec for 2 years!

Then again - loads of people here use the stuff all the time and don't complain...
Old 02 January 2005, 08:03 PM
  #5  
Delboy2
Scooby Regular
 
Delboy2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cambridgeshire
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have been caught short a couple of times (Running on Vapours that is ) and filled up with BP Ultimate - within a few miles the Knocklink Activity increased dramatically both times to the point I had to make a choice whether to turn the boost down or adjust the ignition advance I stick to Optimax or as a second choice Esso SUL

Cheers
Old 03 January 2005, 12:05 AM
  #6  
Roojai
Scooby Regular
 
Roojai's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Taunton
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Seems quite amazing that the fuel can drop so much in quality so suddenly. Perhaps it's something to do with xmas and n'year; no new fuel delivered?
Old 03 January 2005, 01:18 PM
  #7  
TonyBurns
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
TonyBurns's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: 1600cc's of twin scroll fun :)
Posts: 25,565
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Andy,
they probably put unleaded in the wrong tank, it does happen from time to time, though quite rare, id buy some octane booster just to be on the safe side

Tony
Old 23 January 2005, 05:37 PM
  #8  
AndyC_772
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
AndyC_772's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Swilling coffee at my lab bench
Posts: 9,096
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Update:

When the tank was half empty I topped up with Optimax. Then I only got the 1st orange LED flickering - so, better, but still nowhere near normal.

Then, after burning another half a tank, I stuck in a full bottle of Millers octane booster and topped off with Texaco SUL. This doesn't seem to have made any difference at all - still getting 1st orange.

So, now I'm a bit puzzled. I expected to see a major improvement after adding a bottle of OB. I guess the next step is to run the tank down to empty, then fill with SUL+OB and hope for the best.

Well annoyed, though - the car's only got 3500 miles on the clock, of which 1000 were running-in, I took it easy for the next 1000 (out of paranoia after my last engine failure), and now at least 500 miles' worth of bad fuel
Old 23 January 2005, 06:22 PM
  #9  
scoobydood
Scooby Regular
 
scoobydood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: OX16
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Andy.. Try keep the boost down until you empty the tank.....
1 orange is probably safe but better safe than broken...
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
KAS35RSTI
Subaru
27
04 November 2021 07:12 PM
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
28
28 December 2015 11:07 PM
Ganz1983
Subaru
5
02 October 2015 09:22 AM
yabbadoo4
ScoobyNet General
11
30 September 2015 10:33 PM
shorty87
Other Marques
0
25 September 2015 08:52 PM



Quick Reply: Sparkly KnockLink - bad fuel?



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:47 AM.