Leaded fuel additive

[AdamC3046]

Hi,

I've just bought an MGB GT and it has not undergone the Unleaded conversion, so needs the additive.
The owner supplied me with a bottle, and I will buy another tomorrow, and I was wondering how often I should add it to the fuel tank.

I intend to use it on weekends, and short trips to the shop during the week. The previous owner added it every 3 or so fill-ups, but he didn't drive the car as frequently as I intend to.

Thanks,
Adam.

[nta16]

drive the car a lot more and worry a lot less about the additive

using it only for weekends and short trips to the shop during the week will do more damage than not using a lead additive

you're already in the mentality of the stereotype MGB owner

it's the previous and present owners that make and keep classics unreliable, slow and poor handling when with a different attitude and regular use with full and proper servicing, maintenance and repairs you could make and keep your B reliable, nippy and with nice handling

Edited by nta16 on Sunday 7th September 22:32

[AdamC3046]

nta16 said:

drive the car a lot more and worry a lot less about the additive

using it only for weekends and short trips to the shop during the week will do more damage than not using a lead additive

you're already in the mentality of the stereotype MGB owner

it's the previous and present owners that make and keep classics unreliable, slow and poor handling when with a different attitude and regular use with full and proper servicing, maintenance and repairs you could make and keep your B reliable, nippy and with nice handling

Edited by nta16 on Sunday 7th September 22:32

It's actually my only car, so I was being light with the amount I will be using it, so as to cause no alarm. Weekends will consist of 50-100 mile-round trips, and weekdays are likely to consist of daily food shops, as well as other uses for cars (not including driving to work).

But the question was not answered. I was trying to ask how much I'd need to run a daily drive car.

[hman]

Worth having the valve seats hardened if you're going to use it as a daily driver.

Fix the problem not the symptoms

[woodytype S]

Not worth worrying about. Worry about Ethanol in the petro;

[OldBuoy]

I ran my MG and Sunbeam for many yrs without additive no problems. However when the SAOC did a run down to Nice, a couple of cars suffered valve seat recession.
The opinion seemed to be not to bother unless you are doing a several hundred mile motorway blast.

In the unlikely event it should happen then fit hardened valve seats.

[nta16]

AdamC3046 said:

It's actually my only car, so I was being light with the amount I will be using it, so as to cause no alarm.

very good of you as yes it would frighten the old farts (and young old farts) that own most Bs

AdamC3046 said:

Weekends will consist of 50-100 mile-round trips,

that will be good for the car

AdamC3046 said:

and weekdays are likely to consist of daily food shops, as well as other uses for cars (not including driving to work).

possibly not so good for the car

AdamC3046 said:

But the question was not answered. I was trying to ask how much I'd need to run a daily drive car.

as someone else has already put - none

deal with the head if and when

better if you've not already done so is buy the relevant Driver's Handbook for your year then read it and refer to it before carrying out work - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue...

I always suggest carrying out a full 36k-mile service/check-up on a vehicle that is new to you plus bits that are often forgotten like g/box and diff oil changes

I've had various classics as dailies over 20+ years including a BGT and B and they were also used at the same time for club runs and weekends and holidays - some for work and commuting - the B had a 300 miles per week commute and my previous Spridget a 500 miles per week commute - so I have some experience of using Bs as dailies

try not to worry too much about the scare stories you're told about things like lead additives, ethanol in petrol, needing bucket loads of ZDDP in your oil, the people who spread these stories tend to be the people that rarely drive their classics more than an annual local summer village show (if there's no threat of rain) and MoT

Edited by nta16 on Monday 8th September 15:14

[perdu]

nta16 said:

AdamC3046 said:

It's actually my only car, so I was being light with the amount I will be using it, so as to cause no alarm.

very good of you as yes it would frighten the old farts (and young old farts) that own most Bs

AdamC3046 said:

Weekends will consist of 50-100 mile-round trips,

that will be good for the car

AdamC3046 said:

and weekdays are likely to consist of daily food shops, as well as other uses for cars (not including driving to work).

possibly not so good for the car

AdamC3046 said:

But the question was not answered. I was trying to ask how much I'd need to run a daily drive car.

as someone else has already put - none

deal with the head if and when

better if you've not already done so is buy the relevant Driver's Handbook for your year then read it and refer to it before carrying out work - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue...

I always suggest carrying out a full 36k-mile service/check-up on a vehicle that is new to you plus bits that are often forgotten like g/box and diff oil changes

I've had various classics as dailies over 20+ years including a BGT and B and they were also used at the same time for club runs and weekends and holidays - some for work and commuting - the B had a 300 miles per week commute and my previous Spridget a 500 miles per week commute - so I have some experience of using Bs as dailies

try not to worry too much about the scare stories you're told about things like lead additives, ethanol in petrol, needing bucket loads of ZDDP in your oil, the people who spread these stories tend to be the people that rarely drive their classics more than an annual local summer village show (if there's no threat of rain) and MoT

Edited by nta16 on Monday 8th September 15:14

I don't want to boost Nigel's cap size inordinately but what the lad says is entirely right.

Drive it without listening for odd noises, weird tickles in the suspenders and occasional twitters from the 'lecktrics.

I've been driving my Midget with unreasonable lack of worry for years now, it's been great all round driving. Takes me to Le Mans most years and only broken because I have done something wrong in assembly of clutch and gearbox and that had been fine for ten years or so.

The unleaded head situation has been explained as "if the engine HAS been in use with leaded petrol for a while, the deposited TEL should remain in place and protect the valves indefinitely"

Bung a slosh of additive in on occasion when you remember

Enjoy driving a great British Marque always.

have fun

(that's a kind of order, gettit?)

[Dbest92]

I have MGB GT, same as you mine doesn't have hardened valve seats and I've been using:

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-69351-millers-vspe-mil...

Questionable whether it's worth the cost, but I use it for peace if mind when pressing on. Also it helps fight against ethanol corrosion which can be a problem for fuel lines, especially if the car has been sat around for a while (worst thing to do!) they like to be used, the more you use them the better they get. They're great cars, Enjoy

[Expatloon]

I drove 40k+ hard miles on UL in my B before valve recession set in so my advice would be to stop worrying about something which probably isn't going to happen.

Forget about additives too and put the money in a pot for if/when the head does need converting.

What I'd be far more concerned about though would be short trips to the shops where the engine has no chance to get up to temperature, very very bad for an older engine. I try to always get mine up to 'N' every time even if it means driving further than absolutely necessary.

A round trip to the shops for me is 5 miles tops, not enough to attain 'N' in the B and I even feel bad about using my my modern diesel car for such trips so have recently bought a scooter to avoid using either car for such miserly trips.