Phase 2 Reformulated Gasoline
                    Performance Subcommittee


                             Final
                         Meeting Summary
                        September 19, 1995


                  California Air Resources Board


I.   Introduction

     The performance subcommittee discussed the following key issues regarding
     the Phase 2 Reformulated Gasoline performance and compatibility testing
     program:

          ARB On-Road Vehicle Test Program
          Auto Manufacturer Test Programs
          In-Use Fuel Economy Analysis
          Baseline Repair Rates for Fuel Pumps
          Off-Road Vehicle and Equipment Test Program
          ARB Fuel Sample Analysis Results

     The minutes from the previous meeting, held on July 18, 1995, were approved.
     However minor changes were made to clarify that the Texaco test program
     results were preliminary.  Copies of presentations or materials given at
     this meeting are enclosed with this summary.

II.  ARB On-Road Vehicle Test Program

     The test program ended on September 1, 1995.  The remaining test fuel will
     be supplied to what was previously the GTE control fleet to further
     investigate potential fuel pump incidents.  For the incidents reported
     during the test program, the Technical Review Panel (TRP) has coded each
     incident in accordance with a mutually agreed upon coding scheme.  The
     coding scheme signifies whether or not the incident was fuel related.  It
     also notes if action was taken to make a repair, and if the event was
     unusual for the age, mileage and history of the vehicle.

     A separate task group comprised of representatives from the domestic auto
     manufacturers was created to review seeps.  Loren Beard of Chrysler Corp. is
     the head of the Seep Task Group.

     Contact: Donald Chernich: (916) 322-7620

III. Auto Manufacturer Test Programs

     Nissan Motor Company (Nissan) conducted a CaRFG test to study the effects of
     CaRFG on intake valves and engine deposits.   In this test program two cars
     were road tested over 30,000 miles.  One vehicle was operated with
     conventional gasoline and the other was fueled with CaRFG.  In addition to
     the road test, Nissan also performed a 100 hour bench test on a 1.6 liter
     engine.  Preliminary analysis indicates that there was apparently less
     intake valve deposits and no change in combustion chamber deposits.  There
     were no material compatibility issues raised during the test program.
     [Nissan presented photographs of the valves and the combustion chambers of
     the vehicles tested.  Color copies of these pictures were provided to
     subcommittee members.  Additional copies can be obtained by contacting Tony
     Brasil, Performance Subcommittee Secretary at (916) 323-8967.

     The GM bench test program is nearly complete.  Polymer testing is 95%
     complete and elastomer testing is about 25% complete.  Results so far
     indicate there are no expected problems with CaRFG in the field.

     Ford lubricity testing also shows no apparent CaRFG effect on lubricity.
     The Ford testing compares CaRFG to other pre-existing fuels.  Complete
     results will be available soon.

IV.  In-Use Fuel Economy Analysis

     For fleet fuel economy we will compare historical data (1994) with test data
     (1995) for the months of March through August for each vehicle.  Only four
     fleets had individual fuelings data, they were the City of Sacramento,
     County of Sacramento, Bank of America, and CSU, Fresno.  Monthly aggregate
     data will not be used due to an insufficient number of data points and
     limited data quality for obtaining valid results.  For the City of
     Sacramento the fuel economy for test fuel is 2.3 percent lower than
     conventional fuel.

     Contact: Jim Guthrie (916) 327-1508

V.   Baseline Repair Rates for Fuel Pumps

     Baseline repair data represents over 20,000 records for approximately 7000
     vehicles for 1993 and 1994.  The repair data includes information from
     Caltrans, City of Sacramento, County of Sacramento, Pacific Bell (North),
     and CSU, Fresno.  The overall fuel pump repair rate is 7.2 percent and 7.6
     percent for 1993 and 1994, respectively.  The attached presentation also
     calculates the fuel pump repair rate by vehicle class, mileage accumulated,
     and model year groups.


VI.  Off-Road Vehicle and Equipment Test Program

     The ARB portion of the off-road test program is complete and preliminary
     results show that no fuel related incidents were found in the industrial
     equipment, snowmobiles, motorcycles and personal watercraft.  There were
     several seeps observed on the personal watercraft but are considered normal.
     For boats tested the only incidents reported were broken piston rings on
     both test and control boats; the parts were analyzed by the manufacturer,
     Mercury Marine, and were found to be unrelated to fuel effects.  A Mercury
     Marine representative stated that there are no foreseeable problems with
     CaRFG for 1975 to present boat engines.

     The Portable Power Equipment Manufacturers Association has several test
     programs at various stages throughout the world, most are still in progress.
     Some of the portable equipment provided to CSU, Fresno for the in-use
     testing have been returned to the manufacturer for tear down and further
     analysis.

     Contact: Kathleen Nolan  (818) 350-6519

VII. ARB Fuel Sample Results

     Fuel sample analysis is nearly complete.  In all, 404 samples have been
     received by the ARB lab, and all of the fuel samples analyzed to date met
     ASTM specifications for oxidation stability.  The overall results for test
     fuel analyzed to date are attached.

     Contact: Annette Hebert (818) 575-6890

Attachments

CBG Program Advisory and Subcommittee Activities