Every single time I start using Costco gas - by the 3rd full fill up from empty, I hear ticking engine noise from inside the car.

It's always dead quiet otherwise (inside the car).


I can always replicate it by going back to Costco gas.

Once I go back to Chevron it goes away.



All in my head? If not, why can I always duplicate the noise by reverting to Costco?

 

Cause Costco gas sucks?

 

Just stop filling up at Costco and use premium tier 1 fuel, I guess I don't see the problem here?

 

Even I don't use Costco gas.

 

Saw other threads saying it's good, but I just wanted to ask the 3g community specifically if I'm crazy or if they noticed the same thing/ I do love saving 20-30 cents per gallon at costco

 

I use Costco premium about half the time, along with United Oil premium and Chevron premium-- haven't noticed any difference in performance or noise as between them.

 

I'm wondering if there's been a study done on Costco gas versus any of the Top Tier fuels?

 

I have not used Costco gas in my TLS, but my wife does sometimes in her 04 Accord V6. Her engine never makes any noise, but then again it doesn't require premium and is just the Accord 3.0 V6 and not the higher compression 3.5 in the S.
As for me, I have noticed that when I use the convenient Phillips 66 (ConocoPhillips) station that's on my commute to work, that on the occasion I get on the throttle the car makes that sulfur egg smell. Infact every Type S I have had did this using that station. It always ran fine no noises or anything, but just that smell. The next convenient station is Shell so that's typically what's run in my Type S now. 93 octane obviously. I have used BP as well with no issues.

 

I used to have a link to a professional analysis of various gasoline qualities by brand but I can't find it at the moment. Have to go look.

From what I remember, places like Costco, Sam's and such didn't employ the use of many detergents up until a few years ago with the strong influence of the presence and policy of the CAFE standards. That changed but I'm not sure what the actual difference is. Keep in mind, many of your brands share the same source, refinery and transport companies, so don't expect huge differences.

 

What could it be in the Costco gas that would cause a ticking noise after 3 tanks? I have never noticed any difference between using Costco Premium, Shell Premium or BP with no ethanol (when I was near a station that had it).

 

Mostly every retailer sales same gas from same wholesaler. Any additives are added during local deliveries. Costco gas is the same but it is without V-Pover, Techron, and whatever else that is been added during local distribution.

 

I use Costco premium 99% of the time since 50k miles. I haven't had any issues with ticking. I'm at around 123,000 miles now.

 

I run Costco gas 99.9% in 2 of 3 vehicles. Absolutely no issues whatsoever. Previously ran Chevron.

 

Just filled up at Costco. No problems.

 

I run 99% Costco premium and no issues whatsoever for 7 years. I'll assume the OP is actually pumping premium and not skimping with regular during these fillups. I could see how if you fillup with premium at Costco and then use regular else where how ticking could happen every 3rd tank possibly.

If the car is not ticking with Costco gas in the tank, the OP needs to develop a different theory for his troubles.

I talked to the gas guy at Costo a couple years ago and back then the gas was sourced from Chevron at least in Carlsbad. I doubt that Costco gas is crap like some people are indicating. I bet it's either Chevron, Shell, or Conico when it's all said and done.

 

Costco premium here too. No issues.

 

Shell V-Power or BP with Invigorate (formerly Amoco Ultimate).
That's all ..........
.
.
.

 

^^ Nope, this is not true.

The different brands have different formulations, additives, and refining quality. It's your choice where you spend you money. I prefer to use only "Top Tier" stations: http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html There are plenty to choose from.

 

if you dont like costco gas then dont use it, simple as that. why start a thread? lol no one is forcing you to buy costco gas

 

Lol im sorry but if somthing made my engine make weird noises, i wouldnt keep refilling with it. Op hates his car. Sunoco 93 ftw

 

Thank you to the constructive replies.

I'm definitely using 91 octane always.

It definitely is strange. But the tick is there in the car, windows closed.

 

Something else to consider:

Costco monitors the flow rates of their gas nozzles. Their standard is higher than the industry standard. The flow rate is noticeably higher at Costco than other gas stations.

Also, they change their filters much more frequently than other gas stations, which ensures you get cleaner fuel.

 

Q: Where does Costco get its gas?
A: Costco buys fuel from major refineries and distributors in each area. All Costco gasoline is fully guaranteed, just like the merchandise we sell inside the warehouse.

http://www.costco.com/gasoline-q-and-a.html

 

Premium where I live is 93 octane. I see some people say their premium is only 91. Is the fuel actually really the same, and it's just called 91 in different areas for whatever reason, or is it truly a lower octane? Maybe find a station that has 93 and see if you still get the ticking.

 

The octane rating where the OP and I live is 91, and it truly is 91. Race gas is the only other option for higher octane fuel, if you can find it.

 

I used Costco for the first 2 years I owned my TL, I'm on the third year and use Shell V-power now.

Only thing I noticed with Costco gas is the amount of miles I get per tank was less than what I got from Shell V-power. I needed more miles, valves are clean, injectors too, very clean motor so I feel the additives somehow decreased my total amount of miles.
(I am basing this by the total amount of miles to a tank via the MID; I realize too many variables are part of that but I drive nearly the same route/amount of miles each day.

Other than that, I have never had ticking noise as a result, maybe he's hearing out of spec valves? I know before I got a valve adjustment they were noisy that they could be heard from inside. After valve job, they were hugely reduced in noise levels nearly non-existent from inside the car.

 

Found some info on http://energyalmanac.ca.gov

Terminal Facilities
California's nearly 100 terminals receive petroleum and petroleum products by tanker, barge, pipeline, rail or truck. Most of California's terminals are marine terminals. At these facilities petroleum or product is transferred from or to tankers or barges.

Terminals also serve as refiner's wholesale distribution points for products. Product, such as gasoline, is sold to distributors (jobbers) who then sell to consumers through the distributors' own retail stations. The distributor may also resell the gasoline to other station dealers. Gasoline can also be sold directly to station dealers from the terminal. The marketing structure differs depending on the type of product being sold.

 

like 90% of gas stations here in socal counts 91 as premium. I'd probably have to drive like 25 min to get to the nearest gas station with 93...and Im in LA, car modding capital of the world, and LOTS of fancy super cars over in the rich parts like beverly hills

 

All 4 my cars burn premium as well as the turbo fox body I just sold. Run Costco gas in all of them knock on wood never a single issue.

 

If costco gas makes the car audibly ping I would be questioning the octane, not the additives or the quality. Several stations were busted around here for selling 87 octane from the 91 pumps.

Back when I first started data logging on my turbo car in the 90s there were differences between gas stations. I used to tune the car to the ragged edge of detonation where I would get just a little on the shifts. Texaco always has the lowest amount of knock. Others consistently had more knock to the point I had to cut the boost back a lb or two. This was all verified by the laptop, not my ears.

I use Shell and Chevron because they offer two great add packs that work in very different ways so between the two I cover the whole range. When I pulled the plugs the last time I've never seen pistons that clean. Mostly shiny with just a trace of deposits. My intake valves looks brand new. Absolutely no carbon whatsoever. If I were not the first owner I would swear the valves had been replaced recently. Running the oil I do with a very high HTHS and very low NOACK value also helps reduce piston deposits since less oil gets last the rings and less vapors go through the PCV system.

Make no mistake, intake valve deposits come from crappy motor oil and EGR. The gasoline sprayed on the backside of the valves is a cleaner. Look up direct injection horror stories if you want to see what happens when fuel is not sprayed in he intake tract.

Last, more is not always better. Detergents leave deposits in the combustion chamber. You want enough detergents to keep the fuel system clean which is their primary purpose but adding a can of injector cleaner every tank is just going to lead to more combustion chamber deposits. One more thing, most filters filter better as they get dirtier. The flow rate might go down but the quality will not suffer.

 

There have been times I notice my car running like shit. That must be why. I wonder how many stations pull that crap and get away with it.

BTW, can someone explain why premium on the east coast is 93 and is 91 on the west coast?
.
.

 

The West Coast sucks. I don't know but if I had to bet it would be on some California environmental crap.

 

sunocos premium is 91 in east coast. there 93 is ultra.

 

I have not used Costco fuel, but the only reason I consider it is because Costco only charges 20 cents more for Premium fuel. All other stations charge 24 cents.

 

Our Costco here charge 20 cents less for both regular and premium than other places like Mobil or Chevron or Shell

 

91 octane is a California thing along with certain other ingredients. In Oregon and Washington I've seen 91, 92 and 93.

Hopefully a petrochemist can explain more and why.

 

Never had a problem with Costco gas, in any of my cars...

 

Have used costco for quite a bit now, and I love it. I don't think they would skimp out on gasoline quality since they have so many loyal customers. Plus you can always assume your gas was delivered the day you pump it because they get quite a few truckloads a day to refill their tanks.

 

I have had no issues with Costco either. except the stupid long lines. But this week, $3.01/gallon for regular in NJ - not bad at all.

 

I used Costco gas in the past, but the chevron and shell near my house are only 2 cents more since I use debit. It's either drive 10 mins to Costco about 5 mile or drive 2 miles to shell and chevron. So I go to chevron and shell.