Which Petrol ???

[MrNpw]

Hi

I have just imported my e type 4.2 from the USA and am wondering what fuel most people out in their car here ?

Clearly the car was designed for leaded so I want to know any advice on fuel additives etc etc. I have seen a device on ebay that claims it can be put in the fuel tank and act as a lead replacement. Looks like some lead balls in a mesh sleeve.

I have run the car on normal unleaded without any additives and it seems fine but don't want to risk damaging the car.


Any advice ????

Thanks

[piman]

Hello Mr Npw,

forget the device that goes in the tank, it simply does not work.

I would imagine that your car has been running on unleaded in America any way and I suggest that you just run it on unleaded here. Unless you are really going to be thrashing it there should be no problem. You can buy tested and approved additives to add to your fuel to reduce valve seat recession but I don't think that the XK engine suffers.
I would check the valve clearances before doing too many miles to know that the engine is healthy in that department. Also, if done periodically, you can monitor any closing of the valve clearance.

Alec

[MrNpw]

many thanks

[NATONEIL]

MrNPW

You might wish to consider running your car on Super unleaded in the UK at least to start with. Regular unleaded can have up to 10% ethanol in it which can be problematic if you have cork gaskets in your fuel system and for some types of fuel hoses. Once you know what your car is equipped with then you can run on normal unleaded if you do not have any of the hoses/gaskets which are at risk. Take a look at The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Club web site for more detail. There is a link on the JEC Home page.

[MrNpw]

Thanks Neil

Would it be advised to use the super unleaded with a lead additive fuel supplement or as is ?

Thanks

[NATONEIL]

Mr NPW

If your car was running on unleaded in the US then you would not need to add additives for that reason. There are additives which protect from the effects of the high ethanol and details can be found on the website I suggested, but as far as I can see you do not need to use those if running on Super.

[Geordie]

I agree use Super unleaded

[MrNpw]

Thanks all. Will switch to super

[AltyIan]

Hi The US petrol has at least 10% ethanol (E15 in some states) and its 5% in all unleaded here now (known as E5), so the car has been running with Ethanol for years anyway.

Most UK petrol suppliers now add E5 into BOTH normal unleaded AND super unleaded fuels, in some parts of the UK Esso dont add it to their premium unleaded.

I have run my S3 on normal 95 RON unleaded for donkeys years and I just completely stripped the fuel system last week and there is no visible signs of ethanol corrosion at all. Unlike my Lanchester where E5 has played havoc with some of the old seals etc. The main problem with all ethanol is moisture absorbtion so dont leave your tank with much fuel in it when not in use as the water separtaes and can corrode the fuel tank.

Just stick normal unleaded in it and it will be fine, why pay more for the same E5 for just an extra 2 RON and unless you are going on the track you dont need the extra bit of power anyway.

[MrNpw]

Thanks for your advice Ian

Interesting point about leaving the car with not much fuel in, I have read elsewhere to fill the tank up so that moisture cannot build up, which do you think is the correct method for this as the car will be parked up over winter ?


Thanks

[AltyIan]

Thanks for your advice Ian

Interesting point about leaving the car with not much fuel in, I have read elsewhere to fill the tank up so that moisture cannot build up, which do you think is the correct method for this as the car will be parked up over winter ?


Thanks

Whatever you do empty the tank to the minimum level you can when its not in use. Applies to all classic cars really which have steel tanks or vulnerable tank linings. The more fuel in it, the more moisture will be absorbed and it will sink to the bottom. I even drain my Lanchester tank now for the winter to be sure as I've seen the increase in corrosion on the tank base after just one winter with half a tankfull.

[MrNpw]

Hi Ian

Lucas sell a fuel stabiliser that can be added to the fuel that they say stops fuel going stale, stood it gumming up and can prevent corrosion, have you used it or considered it ?

[AltyIan]

Hi Ian

Lucas sell a fuel stabiliser that can be added to the fuel that they say stops fuel going stale, stood it gumming up and can prevent corrosion, have you used it or considered it ?

No Mr N, what's the point, just dont leave hardly any petrol in it!

[MrNpw]

Car is now stored away, filled up with fuel and a bottle of lucas fuel stabiliser added.

I have also pumped the tyres to 50psi to stop flat spots whilst being parked up, not sure about people's thoughts on this ?

Handbrake is off to stop the rear brakes sticking and the car is also now parked snuggly into an air chamber to prevent moisture build up causing rust and mould etc.

[NATONEIL]

I wish I ad pumped up my tyres now. Normally I drive my car about every 2 weeks but at present it has stood in the garage for nearly a month and I certainly will feel the flat spots until the tyres have warmed up.