23 replies to this topic

[MatthewsDad]

Edited to add that I've just seen loads of Castrol Valvemaster Plus for sale on-line - great!

Seemed to be NLA from many sources a while back, but good to see it available again.

[imack]

I use the Shell 98 Ron, but I have 11.1:1 CR. I add 'Castrol Valvemaster Plus' as I have some stock of this. When it is all gone I'll switch to another lead replacement and octane booster.

Edited to add that I've just seen loads of Castrol Valvemaster Plus for sale on-line - great!

Cheers cooperman, just ordered some more as my stock was running low.

[minitravellerman]

Benefit of living in N Ireland is that we don't have any ethanol in our fuel so there is no detrimental effect on valves so we can run on unleaded no problem. I do run the rally car on Super (usually BP Ultimate) up to and during as I find it does run cleaner. Normal driving I run standard 95 RON unleaded.

 

There was an article in Mini World about this a few years ago. Must see if I can dig it out of the old copies and find it again. Was an interesting read.

[TheFabMini]

I was using shell v power with some cheap car lube lead additive. Recently put a tank of normal Tesco value petrol with the same additive and it actually seems to run a bit happier... seems to overheat less when pushed a bit harder. Maybe my carbs set up to suit lower octane petrol???
Either way it’s a bog standard 998 a+ engine. Can’t imagine the original owner in 1984 put fancy petrol in it!

[CityEPete]

Benefit of living in N Ireland is that we don't have any ethanol in our fuel so there is no detrimental effect on valves so we can run on unleaded no problem. I do run the rally car on Super (usually BP Ultimate) up to and during as I find it does run cleaner. Normal driving I run standard 95 RON unleaded.

There was an article in Mini World about this a few years ago. Must see if I can dig it out of the old copies and find it again. Was an interesting read.

Strange setup over the although I presume Maxol E5 is E5 unleaded?

[1984mini25]

Benefit of living in N Ireland is that we don't have any ethanol in our fuel so there is no detrimental effect on valves so we can run on unleaded no problem.

 

It has nothing to do with ethanol in modern fuels. Leaded fuel contained lead, that had a cushioning effect protecting the soft cast iron heads valves and seats.

 

As for what I've been running for the last number of years on a standard 998 (70k) with an unmodified leaded head. Standard Tesco's fuel with no additive and no noticeable issues.

[luismx123]

Benefit of living in N Ireland is that we don't have any ethanol in our fuel so there is no detrimental effect on valves so we can run on unleaded no problem.

It has nothing to do with ethanol in modern fuels. Leaded fuel contained lead, that had a cushioning effect protecting the soft cast iron heads valves and seats.

As for what I've been running for the last number of years on a standard 998 (70k) with an unmodified leaded head. Standard Tesco's fuel with no additive and no noticeable issues.

And your engine is fine running unleaded without additives?

[Cooperman]

A few years ago I used to use Avgas 100LL which I bought from a friend who has an aircraft maintenance business. Then I moved a distance away and the Avgas also got very expensive. I just used to add 5 gallons of Avgas every so often and then topped off with Shell or BP 9/98 RON with a splash of Castrol Valvemaster + when necessary.

[1984mini25]

 

 

Benefit of living in N Ireland is that we don't have any ethanol in our fuel so there is no detrimental effect on valves so we can run on unleaded no problem.

It has nothing to do with ethanol in modern fuels. Leaded fuel contained lead, that had a cushioning effect protecting the soft cast iron heads valves and seats.

As for what I've been running for the last number of years on a standard 998 (70k) with an unmodified leaded head. Standard Tesco's fuel with no additive and no noticeable issues.

And your engine is fine running unleaded without additives?

 

 

Yep, It doesn't do a load of miles each year, and will still happily sit at 70 @3.5k in 4th if needed.

 

It is a bit smokey occasionally on cold start up though, witch is worn valve guides (expected with the mileage of engine) and has nothing to do with not running any additives. Obviously when the cold start smoke issue becomes a problem the head will be refurbed, new valve guides and hardened valve seats fitted for unleaded.