Forecourt embarassment - which fuel???
Discussion
Suddnely realised we have been nonchalantly filling our new 87 998 cc mini up with Unleaded but she is a pre 89 model and no indication of "green pack" and no sign of cat (only about 20 quids worth of petrol in total and some of that was V power). Have popped in some fuel additive to rectify and will look out for LRP where available. Will this be enough to have damaged the seals or will we get away with it?
Suppose it could have been worse - could have been diesel!
Stuart & Dominique
Suppose it could have been worse - could have been diesel!
Stuart & Dominique
Run the stuff on unleaded if you want, but expect to have to alter the timing slightly. Yes, it'll damage the valve gear eventually, but not for some time. That's when you buy a new head with hardened valves and just swap one for one.
If you've only just put replaced the head, you might want to use an additive just to lubricate the valves better and counteract the effect of the fuel's different octane rating prior to having the timing altered.
If you've only just put replaced the head, you might want to use an additive just to lubricate the valves better and counteract the effect of the fuel's different octane rating prior to having the timing altered.
The problem is with the valve seats in the engine, not any soft rubber seals.
Early cars don't have hardened valve seats so you can get valve recession after a period of time if you run unleaded fuel.
A couple of tankfuls of UL will have no effect at all.
Many people have run UL for many thousands of miles and not reported any ill effects, in fact it has been suggested that the simplest course of action is to run UL until you get noticible recession (keep an eye on the valve clearences - they will tighten up)and at this point rebuild the head with hardened seats.
Depending on the car and how you drive this could take years to happen.
Or you could just put in an additive - if you do this stick to one type, they contain different ingedients
Early cars don't have hardened valve seats so you can get valve recession after a period of time if you run unleaded fuel.
A couple of tankfuls of UL will have no effect at all.
Many people have run UL for many thousands of miles and not reported any ill effects, in fact it has been suggested that the simplest course of action is to run UL until you get noticible recession (keep an eye on the valve clearences - they will tighten up)and at this point rebuild the head with hardened seats.
Depending on the car and how you drive this could take years to happen.
Or you could just put in an additive - if you do this stick to one type, they contain different ingedients
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