Petrol Additive-to use or not to use.

taffyjenks

Member
I have been driving my P6 2000tc series one for just over a year now and in that time I have been using Millers VSP Power Plus as an additive to unleaded petrol.During that time I have also read a lot of conflicting advice about the need to use such an additive.There is a plentiful supply but it is a pain in the neck using it because I have to wait until I have used a full tank of petrol before using another when topping up to get an accurate idea of the mixture.
The other day I just put £15 of the Shell higher octane fuel and it didn't seem to affect the running of the car but obviously I do not want to do any damage.
I would love to hear other peoples opinions and experiences.

Thank you
Tony Jenkins.Rover P6 Club membership 2705.
 
P6's used to burn out valves on 5*, so personally I'd use unleaded and if it pinks then either add an octane booster (which gives you the same problem you have already) or retard the timing as required. Keep a check on the valve clearances and reset when necessary, and should you have problems with a valve burning out, sort it out at the time.
 
I use my 2000SC every day and put 16K miles on it last year. I use Castrol Valvemaster plus with standard unleaded but I fill the tank every time so no hassle with amounts. Timing is set at what the book says (4° BTDC IIRC). For me it's not worth taking a chance not using an additive but I spoke to a TC owner a few months back who uses Miller's VSP and still suffered valve seat recession.

Dave
 
I agree with Harvey here. Valve problems on the 4 cylinder engine seem to be an inevitable part of ownership right from the year dot. So I wouldn't worry about the leaded aspect of additives. Smply use what is necessary in the way of an octane booster to make the engine run properly ie not pinking. Then deal with the valve problems as they occour. In the meantime keep a close eye on valve clearances and make sure you don't run with tight clearances.

On the V8, I think you ought to be able to ignore the problem altogether. If you suffer pinking, then start by sorting the cooling out - a thorough chemical clean of the whole system incluuding the engine with our magic formula of dishwasher cleaner and keeping the carb "tower" outlet clear - then if still no improvement fit one of the forums richer needles to the carbs.

Chris
 
The engine of my 2200SC requires 97 RON. I find that using 95 RON and Valvemaster plus to be marginally cheaper than 97 RON Super unleaded, which isn't always obtainable anyway, although I suppose with a TC you really need 97 RON and the additive. I don't understand what Tony's problem is. Surely you decide how much petrol to put in then measure out the appropriate amount of additive. I always put the additive in first so that the petrol washes it down into the tank.
 
Castrol Valvemaster and 97/98 RON petrol for me in my 2200TC. I certainly don't get any pinking and I have not had to reset my valve clearances since I set them a few years ago. Having said all that, I only drive <2000 mile a year in my car so it's not very conclusive (Dave3066 who also uses the stuff does clock up a lot of miles though). The Valvemaster stuff is easy to use and quite inexpensive. The bottle features a little built in measuring device and you only add 1ml of additive for every litre of fuel - so it's easy to know how much to add even if you are just topping up the car with say 15 litres.

Like I think Chris is saying, I would worry more about getting the octane rating and timing right to make sure you're not getting pinking (knocking) as I guess that regular pinking is going to do more harm to an engine than very gradual valve seat recession.
 
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