Phase 2 Reformulated Gasoline
Performance Subcommittee
Final
Meeting Summary
October 11, 1995
California Air Resources Board
I. Introduction
The performance subcommittee discussed the following key issues
regarding the California Reformulated Gasoline (CaRFG) performance and
compatibility testing program:
Summary Report for the Board
Texaco Test Programs
Preliminary CaRFG Performance and Compatibility Findings
Other Issues
Copies of presentations or materials given at this meeting are enclosed with
this summary.
II. Summary Report for the Board
This meeting was held to review what the Performance Subcommittee
would be presenting to the Advisory Committee. The draft performance and
compatibility presentation to the Advisory Committee was shown to
subcommittee members for their comment and approval. The presentation
included the description of the test program, its goals, limitations, and
preliminary results. The results included the preliminary historical
baseline repair analysis, the preliminary fuel economy analysis and the
preliminary compatibility results from the test programs. The presentation
is included with the attachments of meeting materials.
III. Texaco Test Programs
Texaco conducted two fleet test programs using very low aromatic
gasoline; one in Bakersfield, California and the other in Beacon, New York.
Mr. Mike Kulakowski, presented both test programs, but the preliminary
results of the Bakersfield test were previously discussed at the
July 18, 1995 Performance Subcommittee Meeting and will not be discussed as
part of the summary. However, the presentation given for both test programs
is included with the attachments.
The Beacon test program was designed to test the effects of low
aromatic gasoline on elastomer fuel system components during typical
consumer service. The vehicles used in this test were operated by their
owners in day-to-day service.
The test comprised 41 vehicles ranging from 1965 to 1992 model years
for passenger cars and light and medium duty trucks in four technology
classes. Each vehicle in the fleet was operated on three fuels: a
commercially available gasoline ("break in" gasoline) with a typical
aromatics concentration, a very low aromatic gasoline containing a 5% volume
concentration and a high aromatic gasoline containing a 48% volume
concentration. All of the vehicles operated on the "break in" fuel for at
least 3 weeks prior to the test, and at the beginning of the test program
half of the vehicles were fueled with low aromatic fuel and the other half
was fueled with high aromatic fuel. After three weeks the vehicles on low
aromatic gasoline switched to high aromatic gasoline and the vehicles on
high aromatic gasoline switched to low aromatic gasoline for an additional 3
weeks. An evaporative emissions test was used on the vehicles before,
during and after the test program to test for any leaks.
Texaco's R&D staff preliminarily judged that 3 of the fuel related
incidents may be attributable, at least in part, to low gasoline aromatics
concentration. The three incidents occurred on elastomer components while
using the 5% aromatics fuel. The incidents occurred on the following
vehicles: 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle, 1971 Plymouth Duster, and a 1987 Ford F-250.
IV. Preliminary CaRFG Performance and Compatibility Findings
The subcommittee discussed the preliminary findings drafted by the
ARB, and made some recommendations for changes to be made. As a result of
the discussion, an introduction will be added and Performance Subcommittee
members will have another opportunity to review the findings and provide
comments before they become final.
V. Other Issues
Results from the TRP Seep Task Group will be available soon. We are
expecting to receive a letter from Loren Beard of Chrysler and the domestic
auto manufacturers, stating that seeps documented during the test program
are normal since they occurred in both test and control vehicles and on
vehicles outside of the test program.
Attachments
CBG Program Advisory and Subcommittee Activities