93 octane in cold temps cauing air/intake problems

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Ok, I recently acquired a 2001 Nissan Sentra SE 2.0 which as the SR20DE engine in it. Awesome running little car. My best friend purchased it brand new and sold it to me recently. He has always run 93 octane in it. Yes, he is a little eccentric. The temps here in Illinois have been freakn crazy. Sub Zero with wind chills up to 1-20. I decided to just run 89 octane in it. I have been noticing a humming sound which my mechanic found Is coming from the air intake. Says it’s not causing any problems but he could clean it out when the temps warm up. Yesterday I needed fuel and put in 87 octane and this noise from the air intake has stopped. My question is, will higher octane in cold temps on these small engines cause issues the way the fuel burns resulting in issues with the air intake?
 
Originally Posted By: Mark72
My question is, will higher octane in cold temps on these small engines cause issues the way the fuel burns resulting in issues with the air intake?



In a nutshell, nope.
 
93 in that car is a pure waste of money and time! There is Absolutely no need for it. Run 87 as recommended and you and your wallet will be happier. I'm betting it also gets better economy due to the better burning (more complete) of the 87 octane fuel.

Oh, and the noise has nothing to do with the fuel, no way no how.
 
Originally Posted By: racin4ds
I'm betting it also gets better economy due to the better burning (more complete) of the 87 octane fuel.


If the 87 octane has 10% ethanol and the premium zero ethanol, the premium will get better fuel economy. Ethanol has 66% of the energy content of gasoline. As an example, Shell Canada advertises their VMax Premium having zero ethanol.
 
Thats canada Danno, most all fuels here in the US are at least 10% ethanol unless you pay for the rare, hard to find 100% gasoline which is only available in 87 octane around here.
 
Originally Posted By: Danno
Originally Posted By: racin4ds
I'm betting it also gets better economy due to the better burning (more complete) of the 87 octane fuel.


If the 87 octane has 10% ethanol and the premium zero ethanol, the premium will get better fuel economy. Ethanol has 66% of the energy content of gasoline. As an example, Shell Canada advertises their VMax Premium having zero ethanol.


If you factor in the price difference for the high OCT stuff. I think it pretty much eliminates any savings you may or may not see from using a non ethanol infused gas.. up to 10% ethanol.. so figuring that the full 10% is ethanol.. 66% of the energy.. that means 3.4% better mileage on premium.. (not so sure my math adds up....) but the cost is typically 8% or more (at least in Canada) for the higher OCT.. so still not really worth it.. By doing some hand calculations I noticed a very minimal increase in mileage 1-2% using non ethanol..
 
In Canada AFAIK, only Ultramar and Shell's Premium has no ethanol. All the others claim up to 10%.

To answer the OP's original question, no.. it wont affect air intake.. Maybe something was inside the intake causing a noise?
 
Originally Posted By: racin4ds
93 in that car is a pure waste of money and time! There is Absolutely no need for it. Run 87 as recommended and you and your wallet will be happier. I'm betting it also gets better economy due to the better burning (more complete) of the 87 octane fuel.

Oh, and the noise has nothing to do with the fuel, no way no how.


As far as "more complete burn" and "better economy" goes, is someone really getting better economy on 87 compared to 93?

Im aware 93 is more knock resistant, but does that equal slower burning and less total energy content( ethanol cantent being equal)? I thought 93 was not a number denoting resistance to IGNITION, but a resistance to PRE IGNITION. Big difference, or maybe not?

I hear this all the time and wanted to get to the bottom of it.
 
Originally Posted By: Rolla07
In Canada AFAIK, only Ultramar and Shell's Premium has no ethanol. All the others claim up to 10%.

To answer the OP's original question, no.. it wont affect air intake.. Maybe something was inside the intake causing a noise?


Esso too, at least around here.

Petro-Canada makes no such claims unfortunately
frown.gif
 
You've just got something resonating from the cold. Either the stiff plastic from the intake tube, a less-rubbery motor mount, etc. Or your idle air control is in a "different" spot trying to compensate for the cold, or even dithering between two distinct digital logic positions, each not perfect.
 
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: Rolla07
In Canada AFAIK, only Ultramar and Shell's Premium has no ethanol. All the others claim up to 10%.

To answer the OP's original question, no.. it wont affect air intake.. Maybe something was inside the intake causing a noise?


Esso too, at least around here.

Petro-Canada makes no such claims unfortunately
frown.gif



Haven't found Esso making that claim for all Esso stations. Shell does make that claim for their VPower.
 
Originally Posted By: Danno
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: Rolla07
In Canada AFAIK, only Ultramar and Shell's Premium has no ethanol. All the others claim up to 10%.

To answer the OP's original question, no.. it wont affect air intake.. Maybe something was inside the intake causing a noise?


Esso too, at least around here.

Petro-Canada makes no such claims unfortunately
frown.gif



Haven't found Esso making that claim for all Esso stations. Shell does make that claim for their VPower.


Yup, seems to vary by station for Esso, that's why I said "around here", as I've noticed that they don't make that claim out east for example.
 
Originally Posted By: SOHCman


As far as "more complete burn" and "better economy" goes, is someone really getting better economy on 87 compared to 93?

Im aware 93 is more knock resistant, but does that equal slower burning and less total energy content( ethanol cantent being equal)? I thought 93 was not a number denoting resistance to IGNITION, but a resistance to PRE IGNITION. Big difference, or maybe not?

I hear this all the time and wanted to get to the bottom of it.


No, you are mostly right. Deflagration is the same with 87 and 93 octane. Deflagration is the chemical's reaction to an ignition source (spark). The resistance to detonation is different between the two, though.
 
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Why would you run a higher octane in an economy car like a Sentra!? Guess you have money to blow.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
You've just got something resonating from the cold. Either the stiff plastic from the intake tube, a less-rubbery motor mount, etc. Or your idle air control is in a "different" spot trying to compensate for the cold, or even dithering between two distinct digital logic positions, each not perfect.


Agreed. Cars can make some weird noises and behave strangely in very cold weather.
 
Originally Posted By: Rolla07
In Canada AFAIK, only Ultramar and Shell's Premium has no ethanol. All the others claim up to 10%.

To answer the OP's original question, no.. it wont affect air intake.. Maybe something was inside the intake causing a noise?



Here in Saskatchewan only Mohawk/husky has ethanol in their premium fuel. Esso,shell,petro-canada,and even fasgas is ethanol free in premium form.
 
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