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Old 07-12-2000, 02:59 PM
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I am interested in info that may be known to my fellow performance junkies regarding octane boosting effects on my'94 E500.It is my understanding that the "knock sensor" makes adjustments to compensate for octane ratings therefor increasing octane...say to 98 would increase performance over the 92-93 chevron pump gas that I usually run.A friend told me about adding TOLUENE can safely and significantly increase octane rating at a reasonable cost. Is there a MAD SCIENTIST among you that has ever tried TOLUENE or "TRACK GAS" to see if there is a noticeable gain???
BSP
1994 E500
1967 ALFA DUETTO
1993 TOYOTA LANDCRUISER


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Old 07-12-2000, 08:21 PM
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I can't say I've tried "jet fuel" but when I add a bottle of octane with a full tank of 94...I do feel the difference in my 500E. More power is always welcomed
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Old 07-12-2000, 09:18 PM
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As a "mad Scientist" type, I would advise you to be REAL careful with toluene - It is extremely volatile and flammible, and I have personally seen a small quantity of the stuff exploded by static electricity on a windy day. It is a potent liver toxin - the stuff in model airplane glue that kids used to sniff. It is instantly transmitted into the blood stream by inhalation, and is absorbed through the skin nearly as quickly.

It can boost performance, but is very hard on rubber and plastics (hence its use in glue). Spilling it on metal filings can cause a fire. One person I knew used toluene in his VW - needed to replace some fuel lines and filters 6 months after he started using the stuff, and ALL his valves were burned 3 months after that. I would steer away from the napthalenes/toluenes, etc. To me, asking for more performance on your 500E is a little like Britney Spears asking for a face lift!

------------------
JCE
87 300E, 65k miles
Smoke Silver

[This message has been edited by JCE (edited 07-12-2000).]
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Old 07-12-2000, 10:13 PM
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Wouldn't the use of toluene increase the risk of vapor lock also?
-Larry
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Old 07-17-2000, 11:10 PM
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I knew a guy down in Australia who used airplane fuel in his 6.9, it was rated 98 or 99 octane, I think? Maybe higher. Anyways, he drove it like a madman and would refuse to run anything else in it. When I owned my 6.9, I considered stopping by the local airfield and asking if I could fill up



------------------
Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
Precision Motorcars, Cincinnati, Ohio
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'86 420SEL
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8
'74 Jensen Interceptor Mk.III
'81 DeLorean DMC12
'84 BMW 745i Turbo
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Old 07-18-2000, 02:58 AM
EricH
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This is an interesting question. I was unaware that the 500E used a knock sensor. Why then does it ratchet back the timing with increase in temperature?

And is there an octane booster that really works? The price of gas is such that a few bucks on octane boost is no big deal.

I guess I could just fill up at Sears Point

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Old 07-18-2000, 02:05 PM
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Eric,

The M119 motor has a knock sensor on each bank of cylinders, and has the ability to vary timing independently by cylinder. So, if only one cylinder's knocking then only that cylinder's timing will be adjusted/retarded.

Recently my car was diagnosed with carbon in the cylinders (took the regional MBZ tech 4 hrs. to come up with this diagnosis); one cylinder in particular was quite bad and the timing was being retarded at certain rpms. Car was running rough when first started cold, otherwise appeared to run fine.

In any event, I treated the motor with the best Red Line, Chevron, BG and Lubro-Moly had to offer. And now it indeed runs perfect.

------------------
Best regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

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