BajaNomad

magna sin/premium ?

Santiago - 4-9-2005 at 06:22 AM

Out of habit from the "Nova" days, I have been using premuim in Baja for my Tundra and Mercury 4-stroke. In the US I always use regular gas - any reason I shouldn't do the same in Baja?

Bruce R Leech - 4-9-2005 at 06:34 AM

Magna should be fine for the tundra. but I don't know about the Merc. check the specs. for the motor to see what the requirements are.

Me No - 4-9-2005 at 09:14 AM

:lol:You guys run Mercury's:lol:

Always us premium in MX, That magna stuff is crap.

bajaruby - 4-9-2005 at 09:20 AM

Hey now don't laugh. The best car I ever had was a merc.:tumble:

David K - 4-9-2005 at 09:50 AM

87 Octane Magna Sin works the same as 87 Octane U.S. gasoline, in my V-6 Tacoma... ie. no pinging.

In the days of 'Nova' gas (tested at 79-81 Octane, but labled higher), my Subaru would ping unless I retarded the timing... I carried a timing light with me and marked the distributor where I could avoid the pre-ignition problem.

Otherwise, add some Moroso or other Octane boost chemical to the Nova... and if you had a catalytic converter you risked damage, as Nova was leaded gas. My '77.5 Subaru didn't need a converter as it's horizontal motor burned so clean, it wasn't required unlike most cars in the late 70's.

Antronio (BajaCactus) offered to put Premium in my truck as he believes it achieves better milage than Magna. I declined, having never heard how 4 more octane points improves fuel economy.

In my simple explanation: Octane slows or lowers the combusting point of gasoline, so it doesn't ignite before the spark plug lights off. High compression motors, or motors on hot days pulling a load, or those with carbon deposits that can glow, are when high octane (premium or racing fuel) is better. The pinging while driving or dieseling after you shut off the key happens when the octane is too low, as the much easier to explode (Nova) gas does so from the heat of compression or glowing parts in the chamber.

Most cars and trucks made today are designed to run on 87 octane regular gas... The V-10 4WD van I drove in 2001 that was going to be used for tours ran fine on Magna, never pinged. Amo's V-10 powered camper, as well... They both were Fords.

[Edited on 4-9-2005 by David K]

bajalou - 4-9-2005 at 10:01 AM

I bought a new generator a year or so ago and the instructions were very explicit "Use regular gasoline only - do NOT use premium" don't know why butI followed them in Baja and all well. Everything I have runs well on Magna. Most of my vehicles never leave Baja so that's all the know.

:)

BajaNomad - 4-9-2005 at 12:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Antronio (BajaCactus) offered to put Premium in my truck as he believes it achieves better milage than Magna. I declined, having never heard how 4 more octane points improves fuel economy.
Although I couldn't tell you how many vehicles today have the technology, I would venture a guess that much more than the majority have the electronic systems that will advance/retard the timing on the vehicle based upon detonation detected. They can also adjust the air/fuel mixture if I'm not mistaken, based upon readings off the oxygen sensor(s).

Using higher octane gasoline allows the electronics to advance the timing, an thusly give you more power with the same amount of fuel being used. Often times, this will also be able to be done with a leaner air:fuel mixture (having to do with the density of the premium fuel).

In effect, you have more power using the same or less fuel.... pushing you down the road... with a likely outcome of better fuel mileage.
Quote:
In my simple explanation: Octane slows or lowers the combusting point of gasoline, so it doesn't ignite before the spark plug lights off. High compression motors, or motors on hot days pulling a load, or those with carbon deposits that can glow, are when high octane (premium or racing fuel) is better. The pinging while driving or dieseling after you shut off the key happens when the octane is too low, as the much easier to explode (Nova) gas does so from the heat of compression or glowing parts in the chamber.
Octane is a measurement, not a component of the gasoline. It doesn't have to do with lowering the combusting point of the gasoline.

There is confusion between the name of the measurement, and a component of gasoline named iso-octane (which is used in making the measurement). The measurement is of the ability of the fuel mixture at preventing pre-detonation, a condition that is of more concern under a load situation - or in warmer/hotter conditons.

The Pemex gasolines I would imagine are what in the U.S. are called "summer blends" - and thusly have lower RVPs to prevent vapor lock - and still won't be difficult to get a vehicle started in warmer weather. If you took some of this fuel to colder climates (like the Sierra San Pedro Martir), you'd likely have issues trying to get a vehicle started. You'd have leaner air conditions in the mountains as well to be aware of.

The RVP of the gasoline probably changes throughout the year as it does in the U.S.

Also, gasoline is a mixture, and burns off through a range of temperature - not a single temperature, like a single component would.

Quote:
Most cars and trucks made today are designed to run on 87 octane regular gas... The V-10 4WD van I drove in 2001 that was going to be used for tours ran fine on Magna, never pinged. Amo's V-10 powered camper, as well... They both were Fords.
Actually, I'd guess that quite a few, maybe just performance cars, are "designed" for premium, but because of the technology, the engine can electronically retard the timing to work with "regular" - at a cost of giving up some mileage/power.

The owner's manual for the vehicle will tell you exactly what is recommended.

--
Doug



[Edited on 4-9-2005 by BajaNomad]

Anonymous - 4-9-2005 at 05:38 PM

Geeze guys - I just wanted to know which gas to put in my tank.......:D:D:D

Dave - 4-9-2005 at 06:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
any reason I shouldn't do the same in Baja?



OK, a direct answer:

No