I'm not really sure which particular forum this should go in, so I'm starting here.

I drove to DC this weekend for the holiday and as my last drive for '04 before she goes into hibernation. From my home in NYC to where I was heading, it's a 4 hour drive - nothing major - all highway. So, about 2 hours into the drive, it's time to stop for fuel for both me and the car. It was down to just under 1/4 tank on the gauge.

Normally, I run regular. Engine doesn't knock, seems to run fine (it's only an L-48 - how much octane can it need!?!?), and when REGULAR is over $2.00/gal it's good to be able to run the less expensive stuff. That said, this time I thought I'd spring for something a little higher and bought the ExxonPlus (89oct). About 10min after being back on the highway, I notice that she's running a little rough. After going through a toll, it feels like there's a hesitation at the lower speeds as I'm working my way through the gears.

When I need to brake and take my foot off the accelerator, I can hear a lot of backfiring/popping. Seemed to get worse and worse though less noticable about about 30000rpm.

By the time I reached my destination - and fortunately didn't have to stop before that as I was afraid it wasn't going to start again, things were definately going wrong.

My immediate thinking was fouled plugs. Then I thought maybe bad gas? Some of you may have seen one of my other posts "Loose Hookers" http://www.c3vr.com/vrforums/message_go.asp?MID=54800. The header on the passenger side I noticed I could hear exhaust escaping and thought it was loose. As suspected, it was and I tightened up the bolts. After that, I took it for a drive and I was now down to about 1/2 tank (just under) and now I don't hear any more backfiring! The engine seems to be running much better (still a little rough, but not like it was).

OK - so why am I telling you all of this? Because I have a question - is it possible that a loose header could cause these kind of problems? Was it bad gas? A combination of both?

Finally, as I said it's running a little rough still. If the gas was bad, could it have fouled up the plugs? Caused other problems?

Any input on this would be helpful. I have to return to NYC tomorrow and really would prefer not to break down on 95 north! :)

|UPDATED|11/26/2004 8:00:31 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

a LOOSE HOOKER WITH BAD GAS?....WOW! AND 30000 RPM?
UNREAL! LOL!

I'd definitely suspect the fuel. If you're running a Holley, I'd think a power valve may have blown too. Next, with the popping you describe, make sure you didn't blow a vacuum line off somewhere.
All of the above has happened to me, when gas prices go nuts, dealers tend to wait 'til the last minute to re-stock, and you may have gotten some 2 dollar a gallon water,

The loose headers can cause some problems. But I agree, probably some bad gas. I would throw in some dry gas.

kstyer said: The loose headers can cause some problems. But I agree, probably some bad gas. I would throw in some dry gas.

much more likely to be the gas unless the headers were very loose.

Well, I think it may have been a combination of several factors. I added the dry gas as suggested and I got the header tightened up. Turns out the header gasket is shot so going to have to get that replaced.

I think though that there are bigger problems - mainly a bad valve or something. I pulled the plugs on the right side and three of the them looked fine, but the first one was a mess. It was completely gunk filled with thick black stuff. No way that baby was firing! So I replaced it and it ran much better. However, I would say that's a pretty good indicator that something else is going on, right?

Well, at least the ride back was a good one - particularly since that was the last one for the year.

was the gunk in the fouled plug oily ???

it was either oil and carbon OR fuel and carbon..

|UPDATED|11/28/2004 9:19:01 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

You may be in line for some valve seals. It could be a bad pistion ring, but I would not start there.

VNCRUISER said: a LOOSE HOOKER WITH BAD GAS?....WOW! UNREAL! LOL!

Im with ya.. everytime i see this title I think of julia roberts eating pork and beans

cthulhu said: was the gunk in the fouled plug oily ???

Yes - it was oily. Looked liked dirt rolled in oil.