NEw York recently removed the additive MTBE from pump gas. It is rummored that this has caused the gas to detonate prior to spark and cause melt down in some snowmobiles. Has anyone heard about this? Or know more?

 

whaa??? I've been using 76 pump gas in my rappy and I think they removed the MTBE in the gas too...I've had my rappy for a little over a year now and I haven't noticed any problems...

 

It sounded to me that by removing the addative it may have changed the jetting requirements(making the sled lean) I don't know what would cause the gas to detonate? Would a lean mixture cause the gas to detonate prematurly? Whould removing MTBE cause the mixture to be lean?

 

If it is causing predetination the additive was to increase the Octane. Now that it is gone the gas can ignite easier and hotter.

 

but that would make them have to change the octane rating.

 

Oxygenated fuel; fuel with an oxygenating agent (MTBE or alcohol)will run leaner in carb applications. Gas without this agent will run richer. I've seen carb cars pick up 2 miles to a gallon without MTBE in the gas. ( Kinda like wipping air into ice cream) Gas, is mandated to have a certain amount of octane in it. If you buy 92 octane at the pump, then that gas better have 92 octane in it; whether it has MTBE in it or not. If you suspect your getting ripped off then (in California) go to the weights and measures department of the county you are in and have them pull a sample. They will test it in a variable compression engine and can tell the octane of the fuel.

 

I haul Mobil gasoline in a tractor trailer and I will ask the the question at the loading terminal but I think Doctorturbo is on the right track. In Maine we have the MTBE additive so Mobil will know the answer.