Additive, four star or nothing?

Post by **d_harris** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:53 pm

what hee said

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:34 am

BMC / Dan - it depends on how you drive and how lucky you are. If you drive gently, don't do many motorway miles, and/or have a generally low mileage, then yes, almost certainly, you will be fine without an additive.

If you drive vigorously, drive a lot, or do a lot of motorway miles then an additive is probably necessary. Proper testing of A series engines has shown that valve seat recession will occur on hard driven engines, yes the tests were more extreme than you're likely to do in every day driving, but... if you can't afford to get the car fixed when it does occur, then an additive is a really sensible choice.

I used to use Valvemaster on the minor, and despite 60k of abuse the minor's head was fine. So I'm quite fond of Valvemaster. The grotty Viva and the two DAFs* both get Valvemaster, although I shall go and see if there's Tetraboost lurking in my local Wilco now

Katiekat, just go into the shop and tell them you want a fuel additive to prevent valve seat recession - that'll take the grins off their faces!

It doesn't always work - although I'm gradually winning over the bloke who runs the local motor place. It took a long time before my little local motorfactor in Brizzle believed I had any idea what I was talking about. Thankfully the parts dept in my local Helfrauds has a woman working there who is now fairly used to me coming in and asking for obscure things

* The DAFs definately get Valvemaster because getting spare bits for them is not cheap.

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:47 pm

Seconded re the additive - and just to say that male or female makes NO difference when it comes to dealing with factors. I've been told a billion times that what I asked for isn't what I want. V V irritating

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:05 pm

I had a look in my local Wilkinsons today and they don't stock Tetraboost, just some Redex stuff. Not that it matters to me as I've fitted unleaded heads to both my cars.

Post by **d_harris** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:18 pm

I have no less than 3 spare heads kicking about, so if one dies on me its not such a biggy...,..

But we've driven all our minors pretty hard without additive and never had any problems...

Post by **katiekat** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:11 pm

My friend got me some redex and it's only £4.99 in Wilco's so I think I'll use that. Has anyone done a poll on this question?

Post by **d_harris** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 9:50 pm

redex is a proper waste of time and money, if you are going to use additive (imho its not worth it) then use something decent like the redex or tetra.....

Post by **aupickup** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:16 pm

Dan_Harris wrote:redex is a proper waste of time and money, if you are going to use additive (imho its not worth it) then use something decent like the redex or tetra.....

???

Post by **aupickup** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:21 pm

Dan_Harris wrote:redex is a proper waste of time and money, if you are going to use additive (imho its not worth it) then use something decent like the redex or tetra.....

???

Post by **katiekat** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 7:50 am

Dan_Harris wrote:redex is a proper waste of time and money, if you are going to use additive (imho its not worth it) then use something decent like the redex or tetra.....

This additive issue is very confusing!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 7:52 am

No - it isn't - you don't need any, unless planning lots of hard driving.
Simples!

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:57 am

Basically, the Federation of Historic Vehicles, or whatever they're called, did a test of the many and various additives, and possibly LRP too; and found that some of them worked, some of them worked really well, and some of them were as effective as pouring grated gouda into your tank.

Redex was one of the Gouda ones, it's just advertised loads.

Valvemaster / Valvemaster Plus were ones that worked really well; I'm not sure if Tetraboost existed at the time, but that is the same stuff that used to be in leaded petrol and therefore should work spiffingly.

I think Dan just confused himself, Redex is useless though, don't waste your money on it

Post by **katiekat** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:03 pm

Oh I see, well I think I'll take the Redex back then.

Post by **dalebrignall** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 4:27 pm

go with the valvemaster,if you are going to do lots of fast driving.if your only going to potter about you should be ok because the cylinderhead will have a lot of lead memory on it,and there is no need to use an additive.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:32 pm

Lead memory or not - it will be fine - don't worry about it!!!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:32 pm

Lead memory or not - it will be fine - don't worry about it!!!

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 4:31 pm

BMC - you seem so convinced - will you be supplying a new cylinder head and fitting it if she does get valve recession...?

Post by **katiekat** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 5:11 pm

The recession means I can't afford to fix the recession!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 5:23 pm

Of course not - but personal experience tells me it will be fine - as long as the valve gaps are inspected regularly (6 months ) and reset as necessary. Exhausts should be at 15 thou btw.

Post by **katiekat** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 5:51 pm

Was my joke that bad?