[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.

[wakespeak]

Originally Posted by 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.

LOL get your submit button finger ready for the fall.

Back to the thread, I think it was from either the local gas station or the fact that was very humid, then cold creating condensation in the tank, or both. I don't drive the car that often between events. Keep your tank full!

I drove the car down the highway in between sessions for an hour to burn the gas down, filled up, then no issues for the 2 remaining sessions of the day. I have videos of white smoke from my garage mate behind me when it was going on.

I ended up replacing plugs, wires, coils because of intermittant codes thrown later (driving home) but may not have needed to. Will drive it more this summer to see it it remains clear. Runs great at the moment. By the way the coils have been superceded with a newer design.

[Patriot Motorsports USA]

You have to be careful these days buy Premium 93-oct gasoline as many with the high gas prices are skimping on the fuel they buy, so the 93-oct might be sitting in tanks a lot longer than other blends.

My Fiancé just got stuck 271 miles from home in her Corvette where the Marathon store Premium was full of water!! Having to drive that far and back plus dropping the tank on a 2004 C5 was a pain.

$3500 later in replacing everything fuel related... just to be careful, its back running better now!

[wakespeak]

Originally Posted by Patriot Motorsports USA

You have to be careful these days buy Premium 93-oct gasoline as many with the high gas prices are skimping on the fuel they buy, so the 93-oct might be sitting in tanks a lot longer than other blends.

My Fiancé just got stuck 271 miles from home in her Corvette where the Marathon store Premium was full of water!! Having to drive that far and back plus dropping the tank on a 2004 C5 was a pain.

$3500 later in replacing everything fuel related... just to be careful, its back running better now!

Wow. Makes me feel a little luckier. Happened to me once before. Nearly new Suburban, filled up at a rural gas station and barely made it 20 miles to a Chevy dealer. $600 later they drained the tank and we were back on our way.

[djctoto]

Moral of the story, use only "Tier 1 gas," officially known as TOP TIER fuel from a known high quality station. Personally I only use Sunoco 94 Octane in my 1LE.