Altitude is much higher in Washington Ryan
Rascal
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Ryan
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 2:23 PM
To: dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net
Subject: DML: California Truck and Gas
Hi list,
I have a 97 Club Cab with 318 and 5spd. I bought the truck new when I
lived in the Los Angeles area. About 5 years ago, we moved to Seattle,
and make an occasional trip back to L.A. in the Dakota to visit family.
As soon as we moved up here, I noticed my Dakota started pinging running
87 octane gas. I had about 40,000 miles on the truck at the time. It
never pinged when in California. So, I started putting 92 octane in,
and the pinging went away. I have been running 92 octane ever since,
and it has been fine for over 60,000 additional miles.
Now, here's where my question comes in. When traveling south from
Washington to California, I usually fill up right over the CA border in
Yreka because I refuse to fill up in Oregon as they don't let you pump
your own gas (insane!). Anyway, by Yreka, I'm pretty low and fill up
around 20 gallons. Within 10-15 miles, I notice a power increase. It
is substantial (say maybe 20-25 horsepower by the butt meter). For the
rest of the trip in CA, I use 87 octane gas. The extra power remains,
and there is no pinging. Once I get back to washington, the pinging
returns, and I have to go back to 92 octane.
I have noticed this now on all of the 3 trips we have driven the Dakota
back to CA. So, there must be something in the CA gas that is affecting
my motor for the better.
Any ideas? Anyone have an idea on what I can change on my truck so as
to go back to 87 octane gas here in WA?
Ryan
97 cc,318,5sp,105k miles
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