28 replies to this topic

[Heather&Henrietta]

Hello peeps,

Just wondered how many of you require fuel additives for your minis? I've recently have some problems with my valves etc and have been told I need fuel additives, even though Hen's been running on normal unleaded since I got her in December last year...I must admit, I have used the super unleaded every now and again to help look after my engine...


Anyone else need them?

[lrostoke]

What year is it ?? pretty much anything pre 1989 needs a lead additive, unless its been modified to run without.

I just found a decent deal on ebay

3 bottles of Redex lead susbstitute for £11 inc postage each bottle treats 10 tank fulls , so Im good for about 9000 - 10000 miles now

[Heather&Henrietta]

mine's an 1986 so I spose that explains why!! My dad bought me home a bottle of Redex for that price! Just one! I'll have to start looking out for it on eBay

anyone else?

[JohnGordon]

I need them, The person who I bought it off never used them but I do (when I remember!)

[Bean]

I use it on mine! He's a 1986 City, too!

[lrostoke]

heres a link

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...1742.m153.l1262

And yes your 1986 needs lead additive..the redex as a calibrated bottle, each segment treats 50 litres, so I just pour 1/2 a segmant every fill up. Which is useally around 25 litres

[Heather&Henrietta]

heres a link

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...1742.m153.l1262

And yes your 1986 needs lead additive..the redex as a calibrated bottle, each segment treats 50 litres, so I just pour 1/2 a segmant every fill up. Which is useally around 25 litres

thank you!

I use it on mine! He's a 1986 City, too!

Kl stuff - just goes to show I've got a lot more to learn about Henrietta than I thought!!

[Guess-Works.com]

Highly recommended additive is the Castrol Valvemaster range, available from Halfords...

but once you have problems with valve seats, it isn't going to go away, the damage is done...

Simple answer is to buy a 998 unleaded head.... might have the odd one or two of them

Edited by GuessWorks.co.uk, 27 November 2008 - 10:55 AM.

[Heather&Henrietta]

any particular reason? sorry - am a learner on this front!!

[Guess-Works.com]

any particular reason? sorry - am a learner on this front!!

No, other than all the ones I've tried it the one which has proved to be the best... especially the 'plus' version which includes an octane booster.

Pre-89 minis are designed to run on 4 star leaded petrol ( not to be confused with LRP ) this had an octane rating of 97ron, unleaded is only 95ron, therefore to run on unleaded with just an lead additive the ignition will need to be retarded. Running the octane booster will allow for 'normal' tuning, or using 97ron unleaded with just an additive (no boost).

[lrostoke]

Done about 18000 miles using the Redex stuff, no problems, good mpg, good power.

To be honest only went with the Redex because it was what local filling station stocked, but that been pulled down and I liked the Redex so stuck with it.

[Ruby]

Ruby uses Redex.

But what does it do....

Will look for some octane boost stuff too now.

[998dave]

Quick explanation for everyone:

Four star fuel had lead in, this coated and protected the valve seats, unfortunately it was also quite nasty stuff.
mini's were designed for this fuel.

Unleaded doesn't have lead in, and so over time your lead coating comes off, and your valves wear. The lead replacement is a less harmful, (then lead - don't go drinking it), additive that helps protect the valve seats.

Damage isn't immediate, if you know anywhere with LRP you can normally get away with making every fourth or fifth refill leaded - it is slightly more expensive.

Your car ran for months before the damage started? remember it will have had years of lead in the fuel system from new to the phasing out of 4-star and LRP.

Options for you?
- Try using lead additive, see if it gets better, you can test using a compression tester.
- Remove head, relap seats and refit head, start using lead additive.
- Get an unleaded head from a later mini, or from a scrappy metro.
- Pay a machine shop to fit hardened valve seats to your current head.

There are offers above of an unleaded head, I'd relap the valve seats and clean the combustion chambers before fitting, a few other small modifications may be needed, but nothing too serious.

Good luck, if you want anything else give us a shout.

Dave

Edited by 998dave, 27 November 2008 - 04:50 PM.

[Elfie]

What year is it ?? pretty much anything pre 1989 needs a lead additive, unless its been modified to run without.

I just found a decent deal on ebay

3 bottles of Redex lead susbstitute for £11 inc postage each bottle treats 10 tank fulls , so Im good for about 9000 - 10000 miles now

You get 1000 miles from a tank!!!???

[tuktuk]

no, read it again bud. hes got 3 bottles, each individual bottle can treat 10 full tanks.