Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[XL391]

I have hopefully secured a Mk1 Vauxhall Cavalier Sportshatch which i'm hopefully collecting next week. What is the current situation with petrol additives as it still has a pre-unleaded head and therefore requires additives.

[Scotty]

This is a link direct to Millers Oils where you can buy fuel additives from them - Millers Oils.

Or is it you are asking what is the current thinking about fuel additves and how effective they are now that they have been about for a number of years?

[Castellated nut]

I've been running a 1977 Cavalier 1.9 as my "everyday" car for the last 16 years. I have used the standard Castrol Valvemaster (ie. not the octane-boosting version) since leaded fuel disappeared. The car runs quite happily on 95RON unleaded, though you have to remember to switch the carb. air intake to "summer" when the weather warms up, or it will pink badly. It still does pink a bit on a very hot day, but it is manageable. In winter I run with the air intake set half way between "summer" and "winter", which is warm enough to prevent carb. icing, and it doesn't pink at all.

If you find you do need an octane boost, the Millers VSP Plus, is very good (if expensive). My Triumph 2000 pinks less using this than it did on 4-star leaded.

I probably don't do enough miles (or drive fast enough!) to make a judgement about valve-seat recession, but I think any of the FBHVC approved additives are probably OK as long as you don't make a habit of thrashing up the motorway at 70+. Rumour has it that the potassium-based "Zero Lead 2000" was best in the tests.

[Uncle Joe]

I'm going to add a few comments to this.

First off, pinking can destroy valve seats just as easily as unleaded petrol, so either use a higher octane fuel, or, adjust the timing if possible.

Secondly, I have seen tests that show that SOME additives dont work! I believe that one instance has had an injunction served to stop them making public their results.....

Thirdly, excessive use of additives can cause serious engine damage.

Finally, some of them are known to be causes of cancer....

UJ

[chimpchoker]

As I've just started as a sales cashier at my local shell station i'll put forward the V-Power fuel. It's 99 ron and is quite good. Mind you I run an 02 plate miggy 2.6 on it and now get 33 mpg on a run and 23 round town. ( it was 22 and 17 respectivly. ) as for preventing seat damage I haven't a clue yet !

alan who will soon have some money to recomence the jag .......

[mexico]

You can still get leaded petrol , you dont have to use it all the time , just through some in the tank with the unleaded stuff.Check here for your nearest garage :-
www.leadedpetrol.co.uk




Number Plates

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Quite a few Sainsburys sell LRP, if you local store doesn't try asking for it!!

Cheers

Dave

[chimpchoker]