Does using 87 octane really save money?
Member
Joined: 07-06-2008
Posts: 90
From: Mission Viejo, CA
You do know when these sensors fail the check engine light comes on and the engine goes into a limp home or fail safe mode.
The computer need these sensors to operate and if they fail the light goes off and tells you something is wrong. GM also points out that the car can be driven but it is in a fail safe mode that will get you the nearest dealer or repair shop.
I say we have a show of hands here on anyone who regularly uses 87 and has had a engine damage or failure because of it in either a 2.4, 2.0 turbo or 3800 SC Series III.
The only 3800 SC Series III failures on the GP web site I have seen are from some engine programers that were not sorted out well and they broke pistons and trannys on 91. But that was not a GM issue.
Don't under estimate GM on their drivetrains. You can drive a Northstar 50 miles with no coolant. They did this and state this to protect the engine. GM does many things with the computers that protect us from ourselves.
The computer need these sensors to operate and if they fail the light goes off and tells you something is wrong. GM also points out that the car can be driven but it is in a fail safe mode that will get you the nearest dealer or repair shop.
I say we have a show of hands here on anyone who regularly uses 87 and has had a engine damage or failure because of it in either a 2.4, 2.0 turbo or 3800 SC Series III.
The only 3800 SC Series III failures on the GP web site I have seen are from some engine programers that were not sorted out well and they broke pistons and trannys on 91. But that was not a GM issue.
Don't under estimate GM on their drivetrains. You can drive a Northstar 50 miles with no coolant. They did this and state this to protect the engine. GM does many things with the computers that protect us from ourselves.
Sensors can operate slightly outside of their parameter window and not throw a CEL. I am talking about a sensor that listens and feels.
With all due respect...
YES a knock sensor can soft fail and the computer would need to see a range of parameters off to throw a cel like increased "Block Lean/rich tables" being selected for example to know something is up.
Now if the sensor flat fails and loses resistance or output voltage all together then sure a CEL will go on and you could get default parameters until fixed.
Driving 50 miles w/o coolant although advertised is a Joke at best. This type of failure will usually happen outside of warranty anyway. Pretty safe for GM to claim it's ok.
I have just a tad bit of experience here.
New Member
Joined: 08-27-2008
Posts: 21
From: Pennsylvania
Well....I have yet to see the tens of thousands of soft fail mechanical problems.....You can invent the problem and solve it for just about anything....with all due respect, a lot of people here have a tad bit of experience too.....
Member
Joined: 07-06-2008
Posts: 90
From: Mission Viejo, CA
A show of hands about all their failures? What the hell is that about. These cars are new.
This is redicules. I am simply stating that the possibility of damage exists. Period. Pump 20 lbs of boost into...nevermind.
That is it.
As I said in my first post to each to his own.
I am done with this.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-06-2008
Posts: 1,076
From: Over here
I won't
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
Well said. Invent and solve problems... I like that.
The only reason I have stuck with this is I am tired of 91 users beating on 87 users with no proof of anything specific. The 2.4 has been around long enough to have had some issues by now.
I am a 91 user myself but I will not tell them to use it as it is their choice and is backed up by GM the maker of the engine who holds a 5 year warranty.
If you can show proof of a real problem not something that could, may or might happen you would have a good case.
I do agree with you on one point. To each his own.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-06-2008
Posts: 1,076
From: Over here