06 GT misfire mystery HELP
3/16/12, 07:49 PM
#21
Legacy TMS Member
RE: throw a code...
The car doesn't know which injector is causing the problem, as each cylinder isn't specifically monitored for O2, just the one bank. The best case is that the car finally gives up and throws a "bank X too rich" or similar code at this point. That's what mine finally did. Maddening, really.
A code reader might work, but truly a diagnostic tuner which can see how long each injector is being opened, but even then, if it's closing it may still be dribbling.
You probably just need to pay for the correct diagnostic at a dealer to get it solved once and for all.
---
Re: Cheapie gas...
Cheap is one thing. Cheap '87' is another. Go to a Shell, Chevron, Exxon, etc, ad nauseum. You are only saving yourself about $2 a *fillup* at best over the premium, and then another $1 or so over the cheap stuff. It's not worth it to use cheap 87 in the car for $2-3 dollars, and matter of fact, overall, you'll wind up with better mileage anyway, by an MPG or two. Buy Premium at all times, IMO.
This is emperically derived by my own experiments into that very thing. I gave up on buyin' 87 unless I simply *had no choice*. I lost MPG and I didn't save a dang thing, and wound up going to the pump more.
Maths (subjective to a certain extent, based on today's prices [as I got gas this morning], and the afore mentioned experimenting):
14 gallons of $3.54/gal MurphyUSA 87 octane is $49.56
14 gallons of $3.74/gal MurphyUSA 93 octane is $52.36
A grand total of $2.80 more...
Known MPG for 87 octane in Awesome: 16.0 MPG summer (weeks' worth of commuting. Not including weekend, which I get 21 or more, depending)
Known MPG for 93 octane in Awesome: 17.5 MPG summer (ditto)
14 gallons at 16.0 MPG is 224 miles/tank.
14 gallons at 17.5 MPG is 245 miles/tank.
21 more miles per tank for 93.
5 tanks is 1,120 miles vs 1225 miles, or 105 miles more per 5 tanks, or 205 more per 10.
Therefore at 12 tanks of 87, you only ran 11 tanks of 93.
12 tanks of 87 is $49.56*12 or 594.72
11 tanks of 93 is $52.36*11 or 575.96
And you not only used less gas, but *saved* $18.76!
So run the Premium and save, because the car *really* doesn't like the lesser stuff, it retards the timing, isn't tuned for it *mechanically speaking*, and therefore gets less power, so you use more to do the job.
Of course, YMMV, but that's what I've found to be the case. I'm sure I'll be debunked, but this is my Real World data for me and Awesome.
/love the CYA thing...
The car doesn't know which injector is causing the problem, as each cylinder isn't specifically monitored for O2, just the one bank. The best case is that the car finally gives up and throws a "bank X too rich" or similar code at this point. That's what mine finally did. Maddening, really.
A code reader might work, but truly a diagnostic tuner which can see how long each injector is being opened, but even then, if it's closing it may still be dribbling.
You probably just need to pay for the correct diagnostic at a dealer to get it solved once and for all.
---
Re: Cheapie gas...
Cheap is one thing. Cheap '87' is another. Go to a Shell, Chevron, Exxon, etc, ad nauseum. You are only saving yourself about $2 a *fillup* at best over the premium, and then another $1 or so over the cheap stuff. It's not worth it to use cheap 87 in the car for $2-3 dollars, and matter of fact, overall, you'll wind up with better mileage anyway, by an MPG or two. Buy Premium at all times, IMO.
This is emperically derived by my own experiments into that very thing. I gave up on buyin' 87 unless I simply *had no choice*. I lost MPG and I didn't save a dang thing, and wound up going to the pump more.
Maths (subjective to a certain extent, based on today's prices [as I got gas this morning], and the afore mentioned experimenting):
14 gallons of $3.54/gal MurphyUSA 87 octane is $49.56
14 gallons of $3.74/gal MurphyUSA 93 octane is $52.36
A grand total of $2.80 more...
Known MPG for 87 octane in Awesome: 16.0 MPG summer (weeks' worth of commuting. Not including weekend, which I get 21 or more, depending)
Known MPG for 93 octane in Awesome: 17.5 MPG summer (ditto)
14 gallons at 16.0 MPG is 224 miles/tank.
14 gallons at 17.5 MPG is 245 miles/tank.
21 more miles per tank for 93.
5 tanks is 1,120 miles vs 1225 miles, or 105 miles more per 5 tanks, or 205 more per 10.
Therefore at 12 tanks of 87, you only ran 11 tanks of 93.
12 tanks of 87 is $49.56*12 or 594.72
11 tanks of 93 is $52.36*11 or 575.96
And you not only used less gas, but *saved* $18.76!
So run the Premium and save, because the car *really* doesn't like the lesser stuff, it retards the timing, isn't tuned for it *mechanically speaking*, and therefore gets less power, so you use more to do the job.
Of course, YMMV, but that's what I've found to be the case. I'm sure I'll be debunked, but this is my Real World data for me and Awesome.
/love the CYA thing...
Last edited by houtex; 3/16/12 at 08:04 PM.
3/16/12, 08:19 PM
#22
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Curious - how does that cause a misfire? Neither the spark plug fires nor does the intake valve open/close for each cylinder until the appropriate position in the firing cycle. Is it because the extra few dribbles make the mixture too rich when the intake valve opens?
---
Dr. Bill Wattenburg would disagree. If your engine isn't tuned for the higher octane, you are merely enriching the oil companies. 
My ECU adjusts for 87 and gets the most out of it. I have compared mileage between 91 & 87 and its the same. The 91 gives me a bit more low/mid torque and I sometimes do that for fun.
As for the brand name stations, I guarantee there are 2 high volume stations that easily pump jillions more than the high priced, empty brand name stations in my depressed rural area.
Regarding fuel injected vehicles, I have noticed zero issues out of 15k with Bullitt and 10k out of winter Cruisers. As for my old '83 F150, I notice it will load up every 2-3 months. But that isn't because of fuel as it is more that it idles too much around the ranch. So every quarter I add a Techron or Gumout Regane carbon remover, run it out on the highway until the tank has cycled, and its good to go for several more months.
As for budgets, every single penny counts for many of us. Because there are so many dadgum things saying "me! me!"
---
Re: Cheapie gas...
Cheap is one thing. Cheap '87' is another. Go to a Shell, Chevron, Exxon, etc, ad nauseum. You are only saving yourself about $2 a *fillup* at best over the premium, and then another $1 or so over the cheap stuff. It's not worth it to use cheap 87 in the car for $2-3 dollars, and matter of fact, overall, you'll wind up with better mileage anyway, by an MPG or two. Buy Premium at all times, IMO.
This is emperically derived by my own experiments into that very thing. I gave up on buyin' 87 unless I simply *had no choice*. I lost MPG and I didn't save a dang thing, and wound up going to the pump more.
Of course, YMMV, but that's what I've found to be the case.
Cheap is one thing. Cheap '87' is another. Go to a Shell, Chevron, Exxon, etc, ad nauseum. You are only saving yourself about $2 a *fillup* at best over the premium, and then another $1 or so over the cheap stuff. It's not worth it to use cheap 87 in the car for $2-3 dollars, and matter of fact, overall, you'll wind up with better mileage anyway, by an MPG or two. Buy Premium at all times, IMO.
This is emperically derived by my own experiments into that very thing. I gave up on buyin' 87 unless I simply *had no choice*. I lost MPG and I didn't save a dang thing, and wound up going to the pump more.
Of course, YMMV, but that's what I've found to be the case.
My ECU adjusts for 87 and gets the most out of it. I have compared mileage between 91 & 87 and its the same. The 91 gives me a bit more low/mid torque and I sometimes do that for fun.
As for the brand name stations, I guarantee there are 2 high volume stations that easily pump jillions more than the high priced, empty brand name stations in my depressed rural area.
Regarding fuel injected vehicles, I have noticed zero issues out of 15k with Bullitt and 10k out of winter Cruisers. As for my old '83 F150, I notice it will load up every 2-3 months. But that isn't because of fuel as it is more that it idles too much around the ranch. So every quarter I add a Techron or Gumout Regane carbon remover, run it out on the highway until the tank has cycled, and its good to go for several more months.
As for budgets, every single penny counts for many of us. Because there are so many dadgum things saying "me! me!"
Last edited by cdynaco; 3/17/12 at 12:01 AM.
3/16/12, 10:13 PM
#23
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RE: throw a code...
The car doesn't know which injector is causing the problem, as each cylinder isn't specifically monitored for O2, just the one bank. The best case is that the car finally gives up and throws a "bank X too rich" or similar code at this point. That's what mine finally did. Maddening, really.
A code reader might work, but truly a diagnostic tuner which can see how long each injector is being opened, but even then, if it's closing it may still be dribbling.
You probably just need to pay for the correct diagnostic at a dealer to get it solved once and for all.
---
Re: Cheapie gas...
Cheap is one thing. Cheap '87' is another. Go to a Shell, Chevron, Exxon, etc, ad nauseum. You are only saving yourself about $2 a *fillup* at best over the premium, and then another $1 or so over the cheap stuff. It's not worth it to use cheap 87 in the car for $2-3 dollars, and matter of fact, overall, you'll wind up with better mileage anyway, by an MPG or two. Buy Premium at all times, IMO.
This is emperically derived by my own experiments into that very thing. I gave up on buyin' 87 unless I simply *had no choice*. I lost MPG and I didn't save a dang thing, and wound up going to the pump more.
Maths (subjective to a certain extent, based on today's prices [as I got gas this morning], and the afore mentioned experimenting):
14 gallons of $3.54/gal MurphyUSA 87 octane is $49.56
14 gallons of $3.74/gal MurphyUSA 93 octane is $52.36
A grand total of $2.80 more...
Known MPG for 87 octane in Awesome: 16.0 MPG summer (weeks' worth of commuting. Not including weekend, which I get 21 or more, depending)
Known MPG for 93 octane in Awesome: 17.5 MPG summer (ditto)
14 gallons at 16.0 MPG is 224 miles/tank.
14 gallons at 17.5 MPG is 245 miles/tank.
21 more miles per tank for 93.
5 tanks is 1,120 miles vs 1225 miles, or 105 miles more per 5 tanks, or 205 more per 10.
Therefore at 12 tanks of 87, you only ran 11 tanks of 93.
12 tanks of 87 is $49.56*12 or 594.72
11 tanks of 93 is $52.36*11 or 575.96
And you not only used less gas, but *saved* $18.76!
So run the Premium and save, because the car *really* doesn't like the lesser stuff, it retards the timing, isn't tuned for it *mechanically speaking*, and therefore gets less power, so you use more to do the job.
Of course, YMMV, but that's what I've found to be the case. I'm sure I'll be debunked, but this is my Real World data for me and Awesome.
/love the CYA thing...
The car doesn't know which injector is causing the problem, as each cylinder isn't specifically monitored for O2, just the one bank. The best case is that the car finally gives up and throws a "bank X too rich" or similar code at this point. That's what mine finally did. Maddening, really.
A code reader might work, but truly a diagnostic tuner which can see how long each injector is being opened, but even then, if it's closing it may still be dribbling.
You probably just need to pay for the correct diagnostic at a dealer to get it solved once and for all.
---
Re: Cheapie gas...
Cheap is one thing. Cheap '87' is another. Go to a Shell, Chevron, Exxon, etc, ad nauseum. You are only saving yourself about $2 a *fillup* at best over the premium, and then another $1 or so over the cheap stuff. It's not worth it to use cheap 87 in the car for $2-3 dollars, and matter of fact, overall, you'll wind up with better mileage anyway, by an MPG or two. Buy Premium at all times, IMO.
This is emperically derived by my own experiments into that very thing. I gave up on buyin' 87 unless I simply *had no choice*. I lost MPG and I didn't save a dang thing, and wound up going to the pump more.
Maths (subjective to a certain extent, based on today's prices [as I got gas this morning], and the afore mentioned experimenting):
14 gallons of $3.54/gal MurphyUSA 87 octane is $49.56
14 gallons of $3.74/gal MurphyUSA 93 octane is $52.36
A grand total of $2.80 more...
Known MPG for 87 octane in Awesome: 16.0 MPG summer (weeks' worth of commuting. Not including weekend, which I get 21 or more, depending)
Known MPG for 93 octane in Awesome: 17.5 MPG summer (ditto)
14 gallons at 16.0 MPG is 224 miles/tank.
14 gallons at 17.5 MPG is 245 miles/tank.
21 more miles per tank for 93.
5 tanks is 1,120 miles vs 1225 miles, or 105 miles more per 5 tanks, or 205 more per 10.
Therefore at 12 tanks of 87, you only ran 11 tanks of 93.
12 tanks of 87 is $49.56*12 or 594.72
11 tanks of 93 is $52.36*11 or 575.96
And you not only used less gas, but *saved* $18.76!
So run the Premium and save, because the car *really* doesn't like the lesser stuff, it retards the timing, isn't tuned for it *mechanically speaking*, and therefore gets less power, so you use more to do the job.
Of course, YMMV, but that's what I've found to be the case. I'm sure I'll be debunked, but this is my Real World data for me and Awesome.
/love the CYA thing...
Does this mathematical genius apply to all mustangs, say a 2k gt?
or just the newer ones.. ?
3/19/12, 08:33 PM
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I really appreciate everyone's help. I feel like a ******* right now. At least 3 plugs went bad AT ONCE. 100k mile plugs my left nut. They looked perfect, but they weren't. 8 new plugs and she runs perfect. In short, please remember Occam's Razor. And again thanks for all the help from everyone. Oh and
3/19/12, 08:37 PM
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I really appreciate everyone's help. I feel like a ******* right now. At least 3 plugs went bad AT ONCE. 100k mile plugs my left nut. They looked perfect, but they weren't. 8 new plugs and she runs perfect. In short, please remember Occam's Razor. And again thanks for all the help from everyone. Oh and I have to agree with cdynaco on the octane question. If you car isn't tuned for a higher octane it's a waste of money unless you own large quantities of Exxon stock.
3/20/12, 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by 11SHELBYGT500
Now I feel like I'm punking myself. lol okay, the trade in comment was just a joke. LOL either you're good or I just punked myself. LOL
3/20/12, 07:12 PM
#38
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He just means all the crap in the owners manual Ford wants to rape you on. The 5, 10, 12,500, 15, 18,492k etc. scheduled maintenance visits. The 100k would include those dear spark plugs if any of them ever made it that far...
3/21/12, 08:27 AM
#40
Legacy TMS Member
That was a quick response! Well done.
I know not everyone agrees with following the factory maintenance schedule. I have done so, except for advancing the 100k and doing that one early. It has served me well.
I do not mind spending the money to buy their time, skills and tools. Those are three items (time in particular) in short supply for me personally.
I know not everyone agrees with following the factory maintenance schedule. I have done so, except for advancing the 100k and doing that one early. It has served me well.
I do not mind spending the money to buy their time, skills and tools. Those are three items (time in particular) in short supply for me personally.
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