Fuel for 1991 Pathfinder

On Jun 16, 2:57 pm, "R2" <munchkin29... DeleteThis @sc.rr.com> wrote:
> I have been running my 1994 PF (214K) since new on 87 octane.
> Have had no engine problems at all.
> The old girl is on her fourth timing belt.
> I'm keeping her until she dies.
> Its been a good machine.

I put some in and have noticed some drop in response and acceleration,
especially if the A/C is on.
--
Andrew Chaplin
SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel for 1991 Pathfinder 

I have been running my 1994 PF (214K) since new on 87 octane.
Have had no engine problems at all.
The old girl is on her fourth timing belt.
I'm keeping her until she dies.
Its been a good machine.


"Andrew Chaplin" <ab.chaplin.TakeThisOut@yourfinger.rogers.com> wrote in message
news:JcqdnW8LJ9DUzM_VnZ2dnUVZ_hCdnZ2d@giganews.com...
> I am operating my ancient Pathpuppy (6 cyl. manual transmission, U.S.
> emissions set-up) for which I no longer have a manual. I remember that it
> said to use 91 octane, but I cannot remember if that was a requirement or
> a recommendation. Is there someone out there with the information to set
> me straight?
> --
> Andrew Chaplin
> SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
> (If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)
>
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel for 1991 Pathfinder 

On Jun 16, 3:21 pm, Andrew Chaplin <ab.chap....TakeThisOut@rogers.com> wrote:
> On Jun 16, 2:57 pm, "R2" <munchkin29....TakeThisOut@sc.rr.com> wrote:
>
> > I have been running my 1994 PF (214K) since new on 87 octane.
> > Have had no engine problems at all.
> > The old girl is on her fourth timing belt.
> > I'm keeping her until she dies.
> > Its been a good machine.
>
> I put some in and have noticed some drop in response and acceleration,
> especially if the A/C is on.
> --
> Andrew Chaplin
> SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO

A power loss is expected as the engine adjusts to the lower octane
fuel.

CD
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel for 1991 Pathfinder 

On Jun 17, 4:00 pm, codifus <codi....RemoveThis@optonline.net> wrote:
> On Jun 16, 3:21 pm, Andrew Chaplin <ab.chap....RemoveThis@rogers.com> wrote:
>
> > On Jun 16, 2:57 pm, "R2" <munchkin29....RemoveThis@sc.rr.com> wrote:
>
> > > I have been running my 1994 PF (214K) since new on 87 octane.
> > > Have had no engine problems at all.
> > > The old girl is on her fourth timing belt.
> > > I'm keeping her until she dies.
> > > Its been a good machine.
>
> > I put some in and have noticed some drop in response and acceleration,
> > especially if the A/C is on.
>
>
> A power loss is expected as the engine adjusts to the lower octane
> fuel.

It wasn't unexpected, my concern was the requirement vs.
recommendation question.
--
Andrew Chaplin
SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel for 1991 Pathfinder 

Andrew Chaplin wrote:
> On Jun 16, 2:57 pm, "R2" <munchkin29....DeleteThis@sc.rr.com> wrote:
>> I have been running my 1994 PF (214K) since new on 87 octane.
>> Have had no engine problems at all.
>> The old girl is on her fourth timing belt.
>> I'm keeping her until she dies.
>> Its been a good machine.
>
> I put some in and have noticed some drop in response and acceleration,
> especially if the A/C is on.
> --
> Andrew Chaplin
> SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO

My '95 drinks 87 all the time without issue. I do use 91 when I tow though.

As far as a drop in performance with the AC on, my truck is horrible to
drive with the AC on. Shifting is difficult (5 speed), and acceleration
is non-existent. I normally only use AC on the highway as a result. This
has been my experience with almost all my cars though.

DS
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel for 1991 Pathfinder 

on 6/17/2008 2:37 PM DS said the following:
> Andrew Chaplin wrote:
>> On Jun 16, 2:57 pm, "R2" <munchkin29....TakeThisOut@sc.rr.com> wrote:
>>> I have been running my 1994 PF (214K) since new on 87 octane.
>>> Have had no engine problems at all.
>>> The old girl is on her fourth timing belt.
>>> I'm keeping her until she dies.
>>> Its been a good machine.
>>
>> I put some in and have noticed some drop in response and acceleration,
>> especially if the A/C is on.
>> --
>> Andrew Chaplin
>> SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
>
> My '95 drinks 87 all the time without issue. I do use 91 when I tow
> though.
>
> As far as a drop in performance with the AC on, my truck is horrible
> to drive with the AC on. Shifting is difficult (5 speed), and
> acceleration is non-existent. I normally only use AC on the highway as
> a result. This has been my experience with almost all my cars though.
>
> DS

I use my 97 pickups AC all the time when the weather is hot. Since it
only has the 4 cyl 2.4 liter engine, the AC does cut down on the
acceleration and increases the fuel consumption. Whenever I need the
lost power to merge on to a highway or climb a hill, I just hit the AC
button to shut it down until I have merged or reached the crest of the
hill.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
To email, remove the double zeroes after @
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel for 1991 Pathfinder 

"willshak" <willshak.DeleteThis@00hvc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:BbSdnRuvbYOtl8TVnZ2dnUVZ_q7inZ2d@supernews.com...

> I use my 97 pickups AC all the time when the weather is hot. Since
> it only has the 4 cyl 2.4 liter engine, the AC does cut down on the
> acceleration and increases the fuel consumption. Whenever I need the
> lost power to merge on to a highway or climb a hill, I just hit the
> AC button to shut it down until I have merged or reached the crest
> of the hill.

Are you sure the PCM for your truck doesn't already do this for you? I
know that for my current Nissan Frontier and Ford Fusion, the PCMs
automatically disengage the A/C compressor when you floor the
accelerator. I thought this was a pretty standard arrangement for the
last 12+ years. Before PCMs became common, you could buy vacuum
controlled switches that did the same thing. I added one to a 1981
Audi I owned. You spliced it into the circuit that controlled the A/C
clutch. Anytime the vacuum dropped below a certain level (indicating a
nearly wide open throttle) the switch would open and cut power to the
A/C clutch, which removed the A/C power drain.

For all the talk about automobile A/C using a lot of energy, I've
never been able to see much of a difference in fuel economy between
summer and winter driving. In fact, it seems that my worst fuel
economy is in spring and fall months, when the A/C is used less and
the gas should still be the warm weather blend. It has been a long
time since I have owned a car where I could tell that the A/C
compressor was even engaged. The Audi had a five cylinder 2.2L engine,
and I don't think having the A/C cutout switch made much of a
difference in performance. My SO has an '07 RAV 4 cylinder. The only
time you see any problem related to the A/C is when you try to cruise
at around 60 mph with the A/C on. The slightest incline makes the
cruise control go wild. It downshift, floor the throttle, then
immediately upshifts and basically jerks you all over the place. If
you turn the A/C off, this doesn't happen. Or if you just cruise at 65
instead of 60, it doesn't happen. I figure it is just bad programming.

Ed
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel for 1991 Pathfinder 

on 6/18/2008 10:12 AM C. E. White said the following:
>
> "willshak" <willshak.TakeThisOut@00hvc.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:BbSdnRuvbYOtl8TVnZ2dnUVZ_q7inZ2d@supernews.com...
>
>> I use my 97 pickups AC all the time when the weather is hot. Since it
>> only has the 4 cyl 2.4 liter engine, the AC does cut down on the
>> acceleration and increases the fuel consumption. Whenever I need the
>> lost power to merge on to a highway or climb a hill, I just hit the
>> AC button to shut it down until I have merged or reached the crest of
>> the hill.
>
> Are you sure the PCM for your truck doesn't already do this for you? I
> know that for my current Nissan Frontier and Ford Fusion, the PCMs
> automatically disengage the A/C compressor when you floor the
> accelerator. I thought this was a pretty standard arrangement for the
> last 12+ years. Before PCMs became common, you could buy vacuum
> controlled switches that did the same thing. I added one to a 1981
> Audi I owned. You spliced it into the circuit that controlled the A/C
> clutch. Anytime the vacuum dropped below a certain level (indicating a
> nearly wide open throttle) the switch would open and cut power to the
> A/C clutch, which removed the A/C power drain.

I have the cheap XE model with 5 speed stick shift. No power anything
(except for aftermarket keyless entry, which I installed myself) and no
cruise.
If my truck does have PCM, it has never worked. When the gas is floored
and the AC is on, if I hit the AC button, I can feel the added power and
acceleration as the AC shuts off.

This just reminded me of another problem. See separate post, not related
to this problem.
>
> For all the talk about automobile A/C using a lot of energy, I've
> never been able to see much of a difference in fuel economy between
> summer and winter driving. In fact, it seems that my worst fuel
> economy is in spring and fall months, when the A/C is used less and
> the gas should still be the warm weather blend. It has been a long
> time since I have owned a car where I could tell that the A/C
> compressor was even engaged. The Audi had a five cylinder 2.2L engine,
> and I don't think having the A/C cutout switch made much of a
> difference in performance. My SO has an '07 RAV 4 cylinder. The only
> time you see any problem related to the A/C is when you try to cruise
> at around 60 mph with the A/C on. The slightest incline makes the
> cruise control go wild. It downshift, floor the throttle, then
> immediately upshifts and basically jerks you all over the place. If
> you turn the A/C off, this doesn't happen. Or if you just cruise at 65
> instead of 60, it doesn't happen. I figure it is just bad programming.
>
> Ed


--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
To email, remove the double zeroes after @
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel for 1991 Pathfinder 

On Jun 18, 11:39 am, willshak <wills....DeleteThis@00hvc.rr.com> wrote:
> on 6/18/2008 10:12 AM C. E. White said the following:
>
>
>
>
>
> > "willshak" <wills....DeleteThis@00hvc.rr.com> wrote in message
> >news:BbSdnRuvbYOtl8TVnZ2dnUVZ_q7inZ2d@supernews.com...
>
> >> I use my 97 pickups AC all the time when the weather is hot. Since it
> >> only has the 4 cyl 2.4 liter engine, the AC does cut down on the
> >> acceleration and increases the fuel consumption. Whenever I need the
> >> lost power to merge on to a highway or climb a hill, I just hit the
> >> AC button to shut it down until I have merged or reached the crest of
> >> the hill.
>
> > Are you sure the PCM for your truck doesn't already do this for you? I
> > know that for my current Nissan Frontier and Ford Fusion, the PCMs
> > automatically disengage the A/C compressor when you floor the
> > accelerator. I thought this was a pretty standard arrangement for the
> > last 12+ years. Before PCMs became common, you could buy vacuum
> > controlled switches that did the same thing. I added one to a 1981
> > Audi I owned. You spliced it into the circuit that controlled the A/C
> > clutch. Anytime the vacuum dropped below a certain level (indicating a
> > nearly wide open throttle) the switch would open and cut power to the
> > A/C clutch, which removed the A/C power drain.
>
> I have the cheap XE model with 5 speed stick shift. No power anything
> (except for aftermarket keyless entry, which I installed myself) and no
> cruise.
> If my truck does have PCM, it has never worked. When the gas is floored
> and the AC is on, if I hit the AC button, I can feel the added power and
> acceleration as the AC shuts off.
>
> This just reminded me of another problem. See separate post, not related
> to this problem.
>
>
>
>
>
> > For all the talk about automobile A/C using a lot of energy, I've
> > never been able to see much of a difference in fuel economy between
> > summer and winter driving. In fact, it seems that my worst fuel
> > economy is in spring and fall months, when the A/C is used less and
> > the gas should still be the warm weather blend. It has been a long
> > time since I have owned a car where I could tell that the A/C
> > compressor was even engaged. The Audi had a five cylinder 2.2L engine,
> > and I don't think having the A/C cutout switch made much of a
> > difference in performance. My SO has an '07 RAV 4 cylinder. The only
> > time you see any problem related to the A/C is when you try to cruise
> > at around 60 mph with the A/C on. The slightest incline makes the
> > cruise control go wild. It downshift, floor the throttle, then
> > immediately upshifts and basically jerks you all over the place. If
> > you turn the A/C off, this doesn't happen. Or if you just cruise at 65
> > instead of 60, it doesn't happen. I figure it is just bad programming.
>
> > Ed
>
> --
>
> Bill
> In Hamptonburgh, NY
> To email, remove the double zeroes after @

I have found that as the spark plugs reach the end of their life, the
on/off power fluctuation from the AC compressor engaging/dis-engaging
tends to get much more apparent, annoyingly so. It's like the car's
computer is working that much harder to compensate for the wider
gapped and worn out plugs.

CD
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel for 1991 Pathfinder 

Andrew Chaplin wrote:

> I am operating my ancient Pathpuppy (6 cyl. manual transmission, U.S.
> emissions set-up) for which I no longer have a manual. I remember that it said
> to use 91 octane, but I cannot remember if that was a requirement or a
> recommendation. Is there someone out there with the information to set me
> straight?


Sure!
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel for 1991 Pathfinder 

"Bill Gates" <BG.DeleteThis@msn.com> wrote in message news:g4g2i3$ftc$1@aioe.org...
> Andrew Chaplin wrote:
>
>> I am operating my ancient Pathpuppy (6 cyl. manual transmission, U.S.
>> emissions set-up) for which I no longer have a manual. I remember that it
>> said to use 91 octane, but I cannot remember if that was a requirement or a
>> recommendation. Is there someone out there with the information to set me
>> straight?
>
>
> Sure!

I see, Bill. Now that you've retired from Microsoft you have time to post to
the newsgroups and help out the less fortunate -- like me? ;^)
--
Andrew Chaplin
SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
(If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel for 1991 Pathfinder 

This message is not archived
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel for 1991 Pathfinder 

"- Bob -" <uctraing.DeleteThis@ultranet.com> wrote in message
news:s99r641gbu0jbq5cl9j6misa2sgkm406ir@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 2 Jul 2008 11:46:53 -0400, "Andrew Chaplin"
> <ab.chaplin.DeleteThis@yourfinger.rogers.com> wrote:
>
>>I see, Bill. Now that you've retired from Microsoft you have time to post to
>>the newsgroups and help out the less fortunate -- like me? ;^)
>
> Andrew:
>
> Not sure... but I think any '91 is going to have a knock sensor and
> the computer will automatically retard the spark when knock occurs
> from lower octane gas.
>
> With most cars that recommend 91 octane, you get better performance
> and thus better milage with 91 vs 87. The better performance includes
> higher mpg which actually makes premium cheaper.
>
> The break even point is usually less than 1 mpg - in other words, if
> 87 octane gas costs you 1 mpg then you are losing money with Regular.
> EX - the .20 cent difference in price is now only about a 4% cost
> increase for Premium if a car getting 25mpg drops lower than 24mpg,
> you lose money. Depending on how & where you drive, you can lose a lot
> more than 1 mpg.
>
> Also, I don't know what kind of mileage you get, or how many miles you
> drive per year. But, do a rough calculation and see how many gallons
> of gas you use per year. For example, if you drive 14K miles per year
> and get 25mpg, you use 560 gallons per year. That comes out to $112
> per year extra cost for premium. Not much of a savings... and you lose
> power... and if you lose mileage you likely lose money too.

I am a low-mileage driver; in the 14 years I have owned it I have put on less
than 140,000 Km (I bike or bus to commute). I am also fairly good at driving
efficiently, and have coaxed 100 Km out of less than 11 litres of fuel. City
driving tends to draw more than 13 litres per 100 Km. I have gone back to 91
octane because, quite frankly, I did not like the loss of power when trying to
merge with traffic.
--
Andrew Chaplin
SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
(If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel for 1991 Pathfinder