2006 Pontiac Grand Prix BAD GAS? Engine Performance

Tiny
SHAWNALFREY
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 106,000 MILES
I got gas on Tuesday and by Saturday my car was seriously acting funny, very sluggish seems to want to die, exhaust smells like rotten egg hesitation during idle and while driving, engine light flashing. Code scanner reads p0300, I replaced plugs and wires still the same thing. Still the same code. How long does it take for a car to recognize bad gas. I don't go anywhere but to and from work and I have driven 100 miles into this tank of gas before this started happening.
Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 4:08 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Since that is the only code, tell me, have you checked to see if the catalytic converter is plugging? What condition were the plugs when you removed them (any wet with gas)? If the engine is warmed up and running, take a look at the catalytic converter to see if it is glowing red hot.
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Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 5:17 AM
Tiny
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A couple were at.063, .065, .058, but none were wet. By the catalytic being red does that mean it is plugging and if so what causes it to plug wouldn't I get a code for oxygen sensor. I'm not sure how to check that I don't have tools for that.
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Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 5:35 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Just do a visual on the converter after driving it to see if it is overheating and getting red hot.
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Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 5:38 AM
Tiny
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I know its not overheating, so far from what ive searched it says bad gas but I'm gonna check what you said. See if it turns red.
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Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 5:42 AM
Tiny
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  • 19 POSTS
Ok its not getting red at all
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Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 6:13 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
That's a good thing. Chances are it's the gas you purchased.
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Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 8:15 AM
Tiny
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So how long does it take for a car to start reacting to bad gas.
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Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 3:28 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
It differs based on how contaminated the fuel was. It could start within a mile or take much longer for issues to be noticed.
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Monday, March 16th, 2015 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
SHAWNALFREY
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
So what would you recommend doing at this time. I don't really go anywhere so the gas is still in there. Is this gonna cause any damage to anything. So far ive been told to use the heet, which is in the tank now and run that thru then fill up with high octane fuel and add any octane booster along with the Lucas gas treatment. I'm sitting at between 1/4 and 1/2 tank of gas. Ive been going out to run it for about 10 min. At a time just to run out the gas. Is it safe to add 2 chemical treatments at the same time.
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Tuesday, March 17th, 2015 AT 1:30 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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I'm not sure what was in the gas or if that is even the problem yet. So, it's hard to say if anything can be damaged. However, if it is still running, it should be fine. As far as the chemicals mixing with the fuel, if you get high octane fuel, it should help clean things out for you and I don't see a need for anything additional to be added. The gas treatment alone would actually be good.
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Tuesday, March 17th, 2015 AT 6:04 PM
Tiny
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Well filled up with high octane today, didn't add anything extra. Ill let ya know how it works out and thanks for all your advice.
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Wednesday, March 18th, 2015 AT 4:18 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Sounds good. I'll look for your reply.
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Thursday, March 19th, 2015 AT 8:46 AM

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