8 replies to this topic

[Shooter63]

A bit of a conversation piece here, I'm just in the middle of refurbing/improving a head for the Mrs mini, the head at the moment hasn't got valve seat inserts, normally I would have them fitted but the old grey matter has been working. As we all know E10 is with us and is here to stay and over time will no doubt the percentage will get higher meaning more problems to come, I know super unleaded is E5 but again for how long, now Valvemaster+ apparently has an additive which nullifies the E problem. So the quandary is, do I fit the valve seats and run on super unleaded or not bother and just squirt a bit of Valvemaster in the tank on every fill up. Cost wise the Valvemaster puts 6p on a litre while super unleaded is around puts 15p, I'd buy the Valvemaster by the case so running out won't be a problem.

Shooter

[MiniMadRacer]

How old is the head, very I assume to not have unleaded inserts. I woudl prob have inserts fitted personally, but the bigger issue with long term use of E10 is rubber parts of the fuel system perishing,,, on my old bangers if they have pre unleaded heads I just run them as normal and never had a valve recession problem, on a road car.

[Tornado99]

Have not heard E-fuels leading to valve issues, just rubber bits potentially degrading or corrosion of petrol tank from moisture absorption. Valve seat concerns were from lead elimination in the '80's.

Edited by Tornado99, 16 January 2022 - 09:40 PM.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

I'd go for hardened valve seats for maximum reliability.  If the engine's modified, go for super unleaded for the extra octane, if not the E10 is probably fine.  Ideally get the carb and ignition tuned to suit on a rolling road suit once you've decided which fuel to use.

[Cooperman]

The reason for not using E10 is the possibility of rotting the rubber pipes and carb gaskets, etc. 

E5 is higher octane and thus more suitable for higher CR engines. 

Valvemaster is just a lead replacement additive whilst Valvemaster+ also includes an octane booster which is typically needed for very high CR engines as used in motor-sport.

I have not heard of Valvemaster+ negating the potential damage caused by E10 petrol. After all, the ethanol is still present and it's this which causes the damage.

[Daz1968]

I use valvemaster plus in my 998 cooper, but also use super unleaded, valvemaster does contain a fuel stabiliser, see link below

My 12g295 was a freshly modified one without hardened seats, when I asked at workshop doing my skimming they told me to leave it as for mileage I do wouldn’t be an issue, they also said if it was an issue in the future the seats could still be done, my 1962 850 is also standard head no hardened seats and I recently stripped the head to replace valve seals, there was no problem with the seats at all, that has been ran with valvemaster plus for the last 5 or so years 

 

 

https://classicvalvemaster.co.uk/

[Cooperman]

That's interesting, I had not seen that Valvemaster+ negates the effects of ethanol, but that is the claim. 

I don't use E10 in my BMW, but perhaps I'll now run E10 with V+ and see how it wrks. Might be cheaper.

I'll keep using E5 in my Minis though.

Thanks for the link.

[tom1]

Morning (it early and I should still be in bed)

What fuel + additive would you use in a classic mini(SPI) what if it runs a CAT?

I like the link above, until I read the not for use with a CAT! I will give it a go in my old Land Rover.

[bpirie1000]

Cdrtainly interesting times ahead. Had a few issues getting through the emmissions with this new fuel.
Requires super unleaded for mot day to get hydrocarbons down enough...( i did roast it over to the test aswell )

I can see what the Government are trying to do but in reality they just appear to not like old cars.