26 replies to this topic

[MFM]

I was advised recently to use a Penrite petrol fuel stabiliser in my XU1 tank as I was told unleaded petrol absorbs moisture more than the leaded fuels did, and because of this can cause rust to form in the tanks. My tank sat empty in a shed for 20years so before filling it, I inspected the inside with a bore camera and all the original lead fuel had evaporated leaving a couple of small puddles of what looked like red transmission fluid on the bottom. I was advised and am using BP 98 and an upper cylinder lube called 'Flash Lube' valve saver fluid in conjunction with the previously mentioned Penrite product. What's the general consensus with members? should I be using a different product/s to ensure no rust forms in my tank? is there a better upper cylinder lube??  My car is just standard XU1 spec engine.

[S pack]

Never heard of that one before. You sure they weren't talking about E10?

I use 98 Premium unleaded and occasionally add some Nulon lead replacement valve saver to a tank top up but that is all.

[madtoranajzedded]

I dont use any in the big block but use 95 or 98.so what actually makes the valve seats softer not using the additive.

[Chips]

I'm interested to know what that red stuff is.

Mine also sat for 20 years and I also had a whole lot of what sounds like the same unidentified greasy red stuff seeping out.

Difference being all the fuel didn't evaporate and I pulled about 5 litres out and it still was very flammable!

Found by pouring a tiny bit on the ground and put a lighter to it.

I thought fuel went off? I can't remember what type of fuel it was except that the year was 98.

From that time I can't remember whether unleaded or unleaded was used? 

For the moment being cautious and going with the Penrite valve shield. 

Not happy about it but have no choice but to use and can't believe low 98 is the highest rated here, but can't expect any better, any other country in the world still allowing dirty filthy 91? Maybe can I still buy avgas at parts shop?

[I'm a Red Motor fiend]

Avgas is in the process of being phased out in SA, soon to be unavailable to us. Not sure if other states are the same.

[S pack]

My understanding is the red stuff that is left behind is the dye that was used to tint the fuel.

Edited by S pack, 07 May 2019 - 06:17 AM.

[warrenm]

The best way to prevent the tank from rusting, is keep the tank full when parked up or you can coat the tank with a product from POR15 http://www.ppcco.com.au/por19.html or KBS coatings www.kbs-coatings.com.au/product/auto-fuel-tank-sealer-kit/ . I used the KBS product & it still hanging on to the tank.

[Dr Terry]

Unleaded fuel is no more hygroscopic (moisture absorbent) than leaded fuel, it's the ethanol blends which have this problem.

 

If you have a car which spends a lot of time parked, which our old guys tend to, avoid using E10.

 

As 'warrenm' said the best way to avoid tank rust is to keep the tank full. No real difference between 91 & 98 in that regard.

 

Dr Terry

[dattoman]

http://www.ictproduc...-treatment.html

[Chips]

My understanding is the red stuff that is left behind is the dye that was used to tint the fuel.

ah ok. sounds like that would be about right. Any idea what type of fuel? unleaded, leaded or both or a particular RON, In W.A. I also can't remember if there were different grades back then.

[Rockoz]

ah ok. sounds like that would be about right. Any idea what type of fuel? unleaded, leaded or both or a particular RON, In W.A. I also can't remember if there were different grades back then.

 

 

Red was the colour used for Super

Standard was more yellowy orange.

[Chips]

Avgas is in the process of being phased out in SA, soon to be unavailable to us. Not sure if other states are the same.

hope it  still cost $1/litre like it did last time I bought some?  

[Shiney005]

Modern unleaded certainly does go stale.  I have bought dozens of paddock bashers, usually for a couple of hundred bucks, or even for free because they have been sitting in someone's back yard for a couple of years and won't start. I have trailered them home and drained the (very smelly) stale fuel from the tank and refilled it with fresh stuff and they fire up straight away.

My father had an EH that he parked up out the back when he bought his HQ in 1974. It sat there for 11 years before my brother and I stuck a battery in and fired it up.

 

I also have a VH SS that sat in my shed without being started for two years, and it wouldn't run right even though I had put fresh fuel in it. It turned out to have some sort of mould growing inside the tank, and no matter how many times we shook blue metal around in it, we couldn't get it clean and had to find another tank. And you would be surprised how hard it is to find one for a VH commodore.

[Chips]

Red was the colour used for Super

Standard was more yellowy orange.

thanks!

seems so far back I would have fully understood if nobody remember something like that. no way I can. So now I know that  means I used to run leaded which is helpful. was kind of hoping not as it was reubilt with new valves and thought it was maybe at the changeover time to unleaded. but now I know I'll keep on with the additive. 

[S pack]

Red was the colour used for Super

Standard was more yellowy orange.

If memory serves me correctly the 96 RON LRP (lead replacement petrol) was a purple colour.

[claysummers]

Quite a few people report running no additives in unleaded in cast iron head engines with no apparent seat recession. I use an additive which stops unleaded going off for a year or so.


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[MFM]

From the google research I've done, sounds like there is no hard and fast rule relating to additives in unleaded fuel in early model cars with cast valve seats. Mabey I'm over thinking the issue or mabey the valve saver additive concept is just a con like a lot of car care products. I mean who has unbiasedly tested these products. Too many variables to get an accurate assessment of their claims.

[Ice]

Quite a few people report running no additives in unleaded in cast iron head engines with no apparent seat recession. I use an additive which stops unleaded going off for a year or so.
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I have never run an additive in my old cars and never had any dramas ever

[grumpy xu1]

Quite a few people report running no additives in unleaded in cast iron head engines with no apparent seat recession. I use an additive which stops unleaded going off for a year or so.
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It's called stabil, available at repco ect.

[I'm a Red Motor fiend]

hope it still cost $1/litre like it did last time I bought some?

Nah, like $2.50 and up. You need a cams licence too.

[S pack]

Nah, like $2.50 and up. You need a cams licence too.

From 1 July 2019, leaded fuel is not permitted for use in any CAMS sanctioned motor sport, in line with the Australian Government’s decision to ban the use of lead in fuel for motor sport.

[Rockoz]

Nah, like $2.50 and up. You need a cams licence too.

 

Except when you have a friend with a light aircraft.

There were some places where you could buy it without drama.

But they were running a risk.

 

But are 2 octane points really worth the trouble?

[Chips]

In this case probably not. but i'd be happy to use and pay for these things if it was the right one.

also from what i just found looking elsewhere old leaded super was same as 97 as far as RON goes so standard 98 is the best option anyway.

In other cases I have have aftermarket ECU of newer cars and bikes tuned for particular fuel so it would make a difference with the ECU having multiple settings for different activities and fuel types.

I'm finding times have changed since I last bought any for this one, petrol was 69c and avgas $1 and readily available which we just used to put in for fun, it probably didn't make any difference for what i remember!

 

and now avgas which appears to be 100 but i'm guessing also has other toxic pollutants is not allowed but having the rest of them belching out 91 and diesel is ok?

[grumpy xu1]

Avgas @ $1 per litre would have been around 1997, we use to sneak to the bowser for all the "ski boat" fuel the guy would sell us, we just said stuff about the engines that where really in our car's . You may get it now with an Andra license still. The friends i have racing still are all methanol now, so i don't know anymore.

I'm interested in seeing the prep work involved cleaning up the inside of a tank, for the por15 or kbs ect.

[jd lj]

I'm sure that I've seen a YouTube video of the kbs fuel tank cleaning and application.