Rookie mistake - low octane w/supercharger
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Rookie mistake - low octane w/supercharger
I just bought a 2006 F-150 w/ 5.4. The truck has a Magnaflow supercharger. I bought the truck from a dealer who, of course, sold it to me w/ an empty gas tank. Not knowing any better, I promptly filled the tank w/ 87 octane. I now read that I must run 91 octane. I must say, the fact that the truck had a supercharger was the biggest drawback to the truck as I didn't really need the extra power. Don't get me wrong, I like it, but now I'm even more bummed that I have to run 91 all the time.
So, what have I done by putting 87 in the truck? What can I do?
Thanks for any help / advice!
-chris
So, what have I done by putting 87 in the truck? What can I do?
Thanks for any help / advice!
-chris
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From: Sapulpa OK
Just don't put a heavy load on the engine and you'll be OK. If you drove it like you had an egg between your foot and the loud pedal you wont hurt a thing. If you hammer it you will undoubtedly cause it to ping.
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In the future i wouldn't do that again running the wrong octane can cause spark knock, or fry rings and valves. Also make sure that the plugs are the right heat range. you should be ok but go to a gas station and get 2 bottles of octane boost and dump that in, just don't run in the boost. also if you think about it premium is 20 cents more usually than regular so if your filling a 25 gallon tank with regular at 3.00 a gallon its 75 dollars at 3.20 its 80 dollars so your paying 5 dollars more every time you fill up for about a 100 more hp.
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Thanks for the replies. I'll put some octane booster and take it easy for a while on it.
As I mentioned, the supercharger wasn't really something I wanted. Is it too difficult to un-install it and revert back to stock? Assuming I could find the stock parts?
As I mentioned, the supercharger wasn't really something I wanted. Is it too difficult to un-install it and revert back to stock? Assuming I could find the stock parts?
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Thanks for the advice. I broke the news to my wife last night that I had to run 91. I expected her to fly off the handle, but instead she just rolled her eyes. I mentioned that I was thinking of taking it off and she said she'd rather I leave it alone. So, I don't think I'm going to take it off. Instead, I'm going to get some gauges - any idea on the best place to get them? I have never had a truck modified before - I'm a motorcycle guy!
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Ebay, is the cheapest, the guages i run are expensive but worth it figure about 700 in gauges but a new moter is a lot more, I have a auto meter vacuum/boost gauge, its mechanical because it only goes up to 20 psi so its easier to read, then the expensive one a Wideband AFR gauge that tells me if I'm running lean or rich or right in the middle, i think i payed 320 for just that one. Then the electric fuel pressure gauge. These three gauges are perfect for me because My wide band AFR gauge is telling me I'm fat or lean i can just look up or down on the pillar and see if my vacuum or fuel is the problem.
Installing is easy the hardest is the AFR gauge because you have to mount a wide band AFR O2 sensor in the exhaust. all you do is drill and weld in a new bung. its easy, a little expensive but it could save you a lot of money in the long run.
Installing is easy the hardest is the AFR gauge because you have to mount a wide band AFR O2 sensor in the exhaust. all you do is drill and weld in a new bung. its easy, a little expensive but it could save you a lot of money in the long run.
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yeh my afr gauge is on its way from jegs its a sport comp with everything included but its like 350
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Well, I added the octane booster and was driving the truck gently. Today, at about 3/4 of a tank, it started hesitating and bucking under acceleration. I called magnacharger and they told me to drain the gas and put new gas in before I try anything else.
Anybody know of the easiest way to drain the gas? I tried siphoning, but there must me an anti-siphon valve as I can't get the hose wet.
Thanks!
Anybody know of the easiest way to drain the gas? I tried siphoning, but there must me an anti-siphon valve as I can't get the hose wet.
Thanks!
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From: Anaheim California
Originally Posted by 43Duc
Well, I added the octane booster and was driving the truck gently. Today, at about 3/4 of a tank, it started hesitating and bucking under acceleration. I called magnacharger and they told me to drain the gas and put new gas in before I try anything else.
Anybody know of the easiest way to drain the gas? I tried siphoning, but there must me an anti-siphon valve as I can't get the hose wet.
Thanks!
Anybody know of the easiest way to drain the gas? I tried siphoning, but there must me an anti-siphon valve as I can't get the hose wet.
Thanks!
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Originally Posted by frederic
The fuel filter is on the frame rail - pop one of the hoses apart and drain it into a large container.
Has anybody dropped the tank out of there newer F-150? I can see it's held in by two straps, but I'm concerned about the plumbing connections getting tweaked when I lower it. I don't know of any other way to drain the tank...
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From: iowa
you don't care where the fuel pump is, your going after the filter. remove the hose that goes into the filter and it will siphon the gas out, turn on the ignition and the pump will run pumping it out.
I am not sure on the 06s but they used to have a test terminal for the fuel pumps that was under the hood you could run 12 volts to and run the pump, if that is still there you can remove that hose as stated put it into a gas can and hook up power that pump will drain the tank in short order trust me.
I am not sure on the 06s but they used to have a test terminal for the fuel pumps that was under the hood you could run 12 volts to and run the pump, if that is still there you can remove that hose as stated put it into a gas can and hook up power that pump will drain the tank in short order trust me.
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Originally Posted by monsterbaby
you don't care where the fuel pump is, your going after the filter. remove the hose that goes into the filter and it will siphon the gas out, turn on the ignition and the pump will run pumping it out.
I am not sure on the 06s but they used to have a test terminal for the fuel pumps that was under the hood you could run 12 volts to and run the pump, if that is still there you can remove that hose as stated put it into a gas can and hook up power that pump will drain the tank in short order trust me.
I am not sure on the 06s but they used to have a test terminal for the fuel pumps that was under the hood you could run 12 volts to and run the pump, if that is still there you can remove that hose as stated put it into a gas can and hook up power that pump will drain the tank in short order trust me.
I'm afraid to take it to the dealer because I know they will blame the supercharger and when I tell them "they" warranted it, they will try to work on it without knowing what they're doing. I feel it's a lose-lose to go there.
At this point I'm thinking of just dropping the tank and see what happens. It's not like I can use the truck anyway.
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From: Anaheim California
Originally Posted by 43Duc
I'm feeling pretty ticked off right now about this. I've had the truck for 4 days and now this. I started to call the dealer today to bitch, but I held my tongue for now. I have a great looking truck that runs like ****e.
I'm afraid to take it to the dealer because I know they will blame the supercharger and when I tell them "they" warranted it, they will try to work on it without knowing what they're doing. I feel it's a lose-lose to go there.
At this point I'm thinking of just dropping the tank and see what happens. It's not like I can use the truck anyway.
I'm afraid to take it to the dealer because I know they will blame the supercharger and when I tell them "they" warranted it, they will try to work on it without knowing what they're doing. I feel it's a lose-lose to go there.
At this point I'm thinking of just dropping the tank and see what happens. It's not like I can use the truck anyway.
Last edited by anaheim_drew; Feb 9, 2008 at 03:56 AM.