24 replies to this topic

[poisonberry]

Hello

Could anyone suggest the best lead additive to use? With this fuel strike I cant get hold of any proper 4 star *sob-wail*

[Guess-Works.com]

castrol valvemaster plus and I would use that in preference to LRP (if that's what you've been using ) anyway.

Available from Halfords.

[Jammy]

LRP is pretty rubbish. Another vote for Valvemaster Plus here.

[poisonberry]

THANKYOU


Taking Beastie up to Download festival this weekend, will let you know how she did

[dklawson]

This is a footnote to the posts above and it's a question as much as a comment.

Poisonberry, you asked about lead substitute and referenced 4-Star gas. That's U.K.'s premium (high-octane) fuel isn't it?

Lead substitutes are meant to replace the protective fuel additives missing in unleaded gas. They are not meant to raise the octane rating of the fuel. Octane boosters are supposed to do that but they typically are quite expensive for the improvement they offer.

So which are you after... valve protection or octane boost? If you're after octane since you can't buy premium fuel at the moment, why not mark the distributor position with paint and retard the timing a bit so you can run on lower grade fuels. When premium is available again, turn the dizzy back to its original position by lining up the paint marks.

[CharlieBrown]

Mr Lawson, 4 Star is leaded fuel over here not the post unleaded stuff.

[mk3 Cooper S]

MIRA did some tests a few years ago and Valvemaster performed the best in their tests.

[Jammy]

LRP stands for Lead Replacement Fuel. Its un-regulated and is generally thought of as worthless pap. Not the same as the high octane stuff we have appearing at pumps (V-Power, BP Ultimate, etc).

[dklawson]

Thank you for the clarification. I was unaware that you could still buy leaded fuel. It's been unavailable to us for more than 25 years.

I believe Tom Harper who posts on this board exchanged some emails with Keith Calver regarding lead substitutes. It might be worth pinging him to see if he still has that information.

[cap'n crunch]

i use an inline additive called system 4 as i am running a leaded cylinder head, it has a 250,000 mile guarantee and aswell as being able to run unleaded petrol it also boosts the octane rating

[paulrockliffe]

i use an inline additive called system 4 as i am running a leaded cylinder head, it has a 250,000 mile guarantee and aswell as being able to run unleaded petrol it also boosts the octane rating

details? price? url? )

[Guess-Works.com]

well I'm afraid you've been had....

System 4 Fuel Catalyst

Taken from the System4 Leaflet:

"The System 4 fuel cells initiate improved combustion by the creation of free radicals. In humans, free radicals cause aging, but in petrol and diesel engines, they promote a better, cleaner and more controlled combustion process. System 4 works with any grade of fuel to improve economy, emissions and performance.

* If you drive an older car that needs LRP or additives, System 4 will allow the continual use of unleaded petrol without risk and in addition improve overall running.
* If you drive a newer car, then system 4 will show improved economy and performance and a reduction in exhaust emissions. System 4 is safe to use with catalytic converstions
* If you drive a diesel car then system 4 will promote the above benefits and help reduce black smoke under load. System 4 has been shown to improve all diesel characterisitcs.

System4 Boosts Performance

System 4 works in 2 ways. Firstly, it improves combustion so utilising more of the fuel which in turn releases more engine power. Secondly, it removes and prevents deposit and gum build ups which hinder combustion. These two processes result in a cleaner and more efficient engine giving significant savings in fuel and oil and reduced exhaust emissions.

* Improves fuel consumption in all petrol and diesel vehicles
* Improves overall performance in all petrol and diesel engines
* Reduces emissions in every type and age of engine
* Permanently and safely converts older cars to unleaded
* Manufactured in accordance with British Standard BS EN ISO 9002
* Guaranteed for 250,000 miles"

Edited by GuessWorks.co.uk, 11 June 2008 - 05:18 PM.

[cap'n crunch]

well I'm afraid you've been had....

System 4 Fuel Catalyst

Taken from the System4 Leaflet:

"The System 4 fuel cells initiate improved combustion by the creation of free radicals. In humans, free radicals cause aging, but in petrol and diesel engines, they promote a better, cleaner and more controlled combustion process. System 4 works with any grade of fuel to improve economy, emissions and performance.

* If you drive an older car that needs LRP or additives, System 4 will allow the continual use of unleaded petrol without risk and in addition improve overall running.
* If you drive a newer car, then system 4 will show improved economy and performance and a reduction in exhaust emissions. System 4 is safe to use with catalytic converstions
* If you drive a diesel car then system 4 will promote the above benefits and help reduce black smoke under load. System 4 has been shown to improve all diesel characterisitcs.

System4 Boosts Performance

System 4 works in 2 ways. Firstly, it improves combustion so utilising more of the fuel which in turn releases more engine power. Secondly, it removes and prevents deposit and gum build ups which hinder combustion. These two processes result in a cleaner and more efficient engine giving significant savings in fuel and oil and reduced exhaust emissions.

* Improves fuel consumption in all petrol and diesel vehicles
* Improves overall performance in all petrol and diesel engines
* Reduces emissions in every type and age of engine
* Permanently and safely converts older cars to unleaded
* Manufactured in accordance with British Standard BS EN ISO 9002
* Guaranteed for 250,000 miles"

where/how have i been "had"?

[paulrockliffe]

http://www.michael-c....uk/system4.htm

I found the above that has picks of the system, looks more substantial than those magnet things that were doing the rounds a while ago, but I'm not wholly convinced.........

[Guess-Works.com]

Surprisingly enough, that's where I got the quote from... and also pretty much the only reference I found to "system 4"

As soon as I saw it was a 'pellet' type stick in fuel line device, BIG alarm bells ring...

It is a fairly well researched topic that in-line lead additives just dont work, and rely on the lead memory of the head ( basically the crud which is already on the exhaust valve and seat ) to protect them..

Edited by GuessWorks.co.uk, 11 June 2008 - 07:20 PM.