# Bad gas?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-gas/8073>\
**Category:** Power/Fuel\
**Tags:** gasoline\
**Created:** [December 7, 2007, 4:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-gas/8073 "2007-12-07T16:07:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![moongod80](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/moongod80/32/560_2.png) [@moongod80](https://community.cartalk.com/u/moongod80)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 4:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-gas/8073/1 "2007-12-07T16:07:06Z")

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stopped at a gas station I usually avoid yesterday because I was running low. This morning, get the engine sputtering, smelling really bad (maybe from the back), and the check engine light came on.  
  
 If it is sulphur in the gas, what do i do?

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 7:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-gas/8073/2 "2007-12-07T19:09:09Z")

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the check engine light came on.

That CEL (check engine light) is just a kid in class waving her hand trying to get you attention because she has the answer. You need to have the codes read. Some places will read them for FREE. Try Autozone or Advanced Auto Parts. Get the exact code (like P0123) not just their translation into English and post it back here.

Regarding warning lights:

1. if the coolant temp light comes on, shut off the engine ASAP

2. if the oil warning light comes on, shut off the engine ASAP

3. if a FLASHING MIL/CEL comes on, shut off the engine ASAP

But if the MIL/CEL is not flashing, then it’s not an urgent indicator.

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**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 8:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-gas/8073/3 "2007-12-07T20:01:10Z")

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Sounds more like water than sulfur…The CEL comes on because of the misfire…

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 10:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-gas/8073/4 "2007-12-07T22:01:28Z")

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Sulphur in the gas does not cause sputtering and will not cause the CEL to come on.

I suspect an ignition problem or fuel delivery problem rather than bad gas. No matter; get a reading on the code(s) as your first step.

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**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2007, 12:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-gas/8073/5 "2007-12-08T00:28:38Z")

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Agree. The refineries take nearly all the sulfur out, what is left is miniscule. On the other hand, old and oorly maintained tanks nearly all have water and crud in them. The crud is filtered out before it goes into your car, but the water merrily goes through. Add a few cans of gasline alcohol, which will absorb the water, and KEEP YOUR TANK AT LEAST 1/3 FULL during the cold weather.