unleaded petrol

[james.ed]

I've got an unleaded converted moggy (but i have to admit i'm not quite sure what this means or how its been done!). I always fill her up with standard unleaded.. but these other unleaded fuels which promise extra mileage for less fuel look tempting. Can these be used, or it asking for a raft of troubles?

[rsawatson]

My understanding has always been that it's a waste of money paying for the premium petrol, because it reaps no real difference in performance with a 'normal' engine likened to one that would be in a Minor. I've read/been told several times that premium fuels will only increase performance in performance engines, i.e. ones which are finely tuned and are able to make efficient use of the additives they put in and the higher octane rating that the petrol will have (a higher octane rating will reduce the petrol's tendency to burn spontaneously in the engine, so it burns at the optimum time).

I've tried using premium on a few occasions and haven't once noticed an ounce of difference in performance and in fact have found that the engine has run rougher. I presume that this is because if an engine is designed to run on ordinary fuel of an ordinary octane rating, then this will work best! The manual for a Minor which I have actually states that putting a fuel of a higher octane rating into the tank will not increase performace.

I may of course be totally wrong though - just relaying what my conception of it is...

[bmcecosse]

Just use the basic 95 RON - and at the lowest price you can find........ No need for additives either - but I do advise to set exhaust valve gaps to 15 thou - and check/reset every 3000 miles.

[james.ed]

fair play.. i've always been surprised how good my moggy does with fuel anyway. bristol to gatwick usually eats 15 pounds of normal unleaded.. which seems quite good when its four hours at sixty miles an hour on the a4 (can't bear to be on the motorway.. the engine drone is sleep inducing).

how should i reset these exhaust valves.. basic beginners instructions are needed!

[pyebibby]

my god! i want your car! my is so un eco at the moment!

[d_harris]

fair play.. i've always been surprised how good my moggy does with fuel anyway. bristol to gatwick usually eats 15 pounds of normal unleaded.. which seems quite good when its four hours at sixty miles an hour on the a4 (can't bear to be on the motorway.. the engine drone is sleep inducing).

how should i reset these exhaust valves.. basic beginners instructions are needed!

Not doubting you, but my quick maths thats getting on for 96pmg

240 miles (4x60)
£15 = Approx 2.5gallons (based on £6 a gallon)

240miles/2.5gallons=96mg

[james.ed]

that does sound extraordinary.. and it not actually that good. the sixty stretches are mainly on the a4 so its not all the way. when you hit surrey its 40s and 30s and if you're lucky they'll let you make 50 between farnham and guildford!

the route I take is 123 miles and takes 4hours 1min (thankyou google maps).

2.5 galloons.. that 49 to the gallon. when i worked it out over summer with the lower fuel costs i got 45 to the gallon. i've checked this on a few other journeys and 45 mpg seems the average.. doesn't seem to be fairing that badly considering age and that it's never had an engine rebuild!

[d_harris]

aaah. Glad to be corrected.

45mpg is about whats to be expected on a decent run

[bmcecosse]

45 if genuine is amazing - my modern Clio 16 valve 1.2 engine 'just' manages that with very careful driving - rarely above 60. My Trav can barely manage 30 mpg - but then it is rarely driven at LESS than 60 mph......

[MarkyB]

it is rarely driven at LESS than 60 mph"

That's in second gear though

[bmcecosse]

Aah no - it can only do 50 in second........benefit of a 3.7 final drive............

[chickenjohn]

that does sound extraordinary.. and it not actually that good. the sixty stretches are mainly on the a4 so its not all the way. when you hit surrey its 40s and 30s and if you're lucky they'll let you make 50 between farnham and guildford!

the route I take is 123 miles and takes 4hours 1min (thankyou google maps).

2.5 galloons.. that 49 to the gallon. when i worked it out over summer with the lower fuel costs i got 45 to the gallon. i've checked this on a few other journeys and 45 mpg seems the average.. doesn't seem to be fairing that badly considering age and that it's never had an engine rebuild!

45mpg = Toyota Prius economy! (so much for 60 years of so- called automotive development)

That is the fuel consumption a Minor should be getting on a long run! My Traveller gets that at 50-60mph steady driving on a long run.

Well done on good economical driving and having a Minor that is set up properly!

BMC- you must wear lead boots!

[chickenjohn]

45 if genuine is amazing - my modern Clio 16 valve 1.2 engine 'just' manages that with very careful driving - rarely above 60. My Trav can barely manage 30 mpg - but then it is rarely driven at LESS than 60 mph......

I would have though the Clio should better that. My Toyota Starlet 1.3 has got 48mpg as a best economy run (60-70mph). Maybe the Clio is a heavier car??? Or a 1.3 engine does not have to work as hard as the 1.2 so is more economical.

But then again, I've also managed 36mpg on a Porsche 944 S2 (with a 3 litre engine!!!)

[MartinB]

It really is down to how you drive it for mpg, I saw 40 to 42 mpg from my old BMW 328 on long journeys treating it lightly and crusing at 70 mph on the motorway. around 36 mpg when giving it some sh*t, amazing car that was!

My turbo Minor (450bhp) will do anything from 40 to 4 mpg!!

[moggyadventurer]

Hi

I must admit my modern only does 44mpg. Yet my mog will do 41mpg pottering about. I did the lands end to jogh o groats run some years back and returned 51mpg at about 55mph.

Normal unleaded will be fine.