[wakespeak]

So this past weekend at COTA went out in the first session and car starting to chop power, got "Check Rear Axle" warning on warm up lap. Garage mate behind me said white smoke...uh oh...blown head gasket?? This is Sunday first lap of the first session. Car ran great Saturday.

Checked fluids all ok. Car ran fine on part throttle but exhaust sound a little off, like a miss. Surfed we "Check Rear Axle" may be due to the engine not running right, not the rear axle.

Drove around, then went out on the second session. Same reduced power but less often and no "Check Rear Axle". Got a P0303 misfire code. White smoke briefly again..thinking water in the tank because the situation is starting to improve (white smoke = steam?). We have had some very humid weather then suddenly cool. Condensation or bad fill up? Drove the car on highway to burn down the tank all the way. Filled up off track.

Ran the 2 last sessions with full power, no white smoke, got good lap times. Thinking yes, it was bad gas. Check engine back on not until drive home, this time with a bad catalyst P0420. Bad gas would create that code as well I am thinking.

Anyways passing on. What a PITA.

[cdrptrks]

What station did you get the gas from so we know to avoid it? Also, was it the first time you used that gas station during the event?

Did you use any gas cans that might have possibly had seals that let some water get in (or old gas residue at the bottom) or did you pump it all directly into the car at the gas station?

[mlee]

I'm just stuck on the fact you were running COTA last weekend and I wasn't there.

Sounds like you're okay now though.