Metoo!!! 
Torco Inducing KR?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,475
Likes: 718
From: Black Forest CO
Torco Inducing KR?
First off, this is not a slam, Torco is a great product and I'll continue to use it.
I had a couple of cans of Torco that I bought about year ago. I have not been using it because I was not getting any KR at all. I decided to use it up and dumped a can into each of my last two tanks of 91 octane.
I have been logging a lot of data lately since I have been working on my main VE table. On the two tanks that I put the Torco in I saw a huge increase on KR (up to 15 degrees) in the 4000 to 5000 RPM range (mostly clustered around 4400 rpm). Last night I ran the car down to 1/8 tank and filled it up with 91 octane (no old Torco this time). I ran the car for a 2 or 3 miles while logging data and the amount of KR had dropped to less than 3 degrees, all at 4400 rpm. I continued driving for another 10 miles or so and then ran it up from 3000 RPM in 2nd gear through the top of 4th gear at 6500 RPM and got no KR.
Is it possible that the chemicals in Torco, as they age, could actually induce knock? If so this is a really good reason not to exceed the recommended shelf life of 6 months.
Mark
I had a couple of cans of Torco that I bought about year ago. I have not been using it because I was not getting any KR at all. I decided to use it up and dumped a can into each of my last two tanks of 91 octane.
I have been logging a lot of data lately since I have been working on my main VE table. On the two tanks that I put the Torco in I saw a huge increase on KR (up to 15 degrees) in the 4000 to 5000 RPM range (mostly clustered around 4400 rpm). Last night I ran the car down to 1/8 tank and filled it up with 91 octane (no old Torco this time). I ran the car for a 2 or 3 miles while logging data and the amount of KR had dropped to less than 3 degrees, all at 4400 rpm. I continued driving for another 10 miles or so and then ran it up from 3000 RPM in 2nd gear through the top of 4th gear at 6500 RPM and got no KR.
Is it possible that the chemicals in Torco, as they age, could actually induce knock? If so this is a really good reason not to exceed the recommended shelf life of 6 months.
Mark
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,475
Likes: 718
From: Black Forest CO
That's what I figured. Lesson learned.
I need to log some more data this weekend when it warms up. The temperature dropped 35 degrees today so if I logged data now it wouldn't be a valid test since it is so much cooler.
Mark
I need to log some more data this weekend when it warms up. The temperature dropped 35 degrees today so if I logged data now it wouldn't be a valid test since it is so much cooler.
Mark
Originally Posted by mdhmi
All fuels degrade over time.
Mark
Mark
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,221
Likes: 899
From: CA
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by mdhmi
All fuels degrade over time.
Mark
Mark
I would not use any fuel or additive that has been sitting around for a year.
For those with old cans or unused Torco that has been sitting for a long time, contact me via email, and I'll work with you on your next purchase!
kerijoel1@comcast.net
JB
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 0
From: Stealth So Cal GOCC ...comming to invade your neighborhood soon
Originally Posted by jbsblownc5
The recommended shelf life for Torco is between 8 and 9 months....
For those with old cans or unused Torco that has been sitting for a long time, contact me via email, and I'll work with you on your next purchase!
kerijoel1@comcast.net
JB
For those with old cans or unused Torco that has been sitting for a long time, contact me via email, and I'll work with you on your next purchase!
kerijoel1@comcast.net
JB
to JB 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 0
From: New England
You don't want to let Torco sit around very long. This product is VERY hydrophlic. MMT (methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl) which is what makes Torco "work" as an octane booster, I believe it is easily contaninated which should disrupt its performance as well.
My advice for those of you who use Torco would be to "use it or loose it!" Don't let it sit for more than a couple months. If you see the color changing as you use the container, disgard it (in a proper manor because MMT is a pretty dangerous organometallic compound). BTW, you DON"T want to get this product on you... there's some really nasty stuff in it so wear gloves when using it
My advice for those of you who use Torco would be to "use it or loose it!" Don't let it sit for more than a couple months. If you see the color changing as you use the container, disgard it (in a proper manor because MMT is a pretty dangerous organometallic compound). BTW, you DON"T want to get this product on you... there's some really nasty stuff in it so wear gloves when using it
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,296
Likes: 30
From: Friendswood, Tx
I have experienced it going bad.....but I also stored it in my garage (110+ degrees) on concrete and let it sit for several months without using it. The color became "milky" and it was quite obvious that something had happened to it.
I now store it in a small closet in my house (I know, I'm crazy right?..
) and haven't had any problems since.
I now store it in a small closet in my house (I know, I'm crazy right?..
) and haven't had any problems since.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 0
From: New England
Originally Posted by Z06 Tom
I've been storing mine in my basement, which is cool of course. Is it OK as long as it's still clear?? I've still got six cans left that are close to a year old.
I wouldn't use it.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,475
Likes: 718
From: Black Forest CO
Thanks for all the replies. I should have known better than to use it. The last stuff that I used was from a friend's (Yano) new unopened 5 gallon can. It was yellowish in color, not clear.
That is awesome of JB to offer a deal to those who have old Torco!
That is awesome of JB to offer a deal to those who have old Torco!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by jbsblownc5
The recommended shelf life for Torco is between 8 and 9 months. You should also store it in a cool area, and not have it sitting on concrete.
I would not use any fuel or additive that has been sitting around for a year.
For those with old cans or unused Torco that has been sitting for a long time, contact me via email, and I'll work with you on your next purchase!
kerijoel1@comcast.net
JB
I would not use any fuel or additive that has been sitting around for a year.
For those with old cans or unused Torco that has been sitting for a long time, contact me via email, and I'll work with you on your next purchase!
kerijoel1@comcast.net
JB
