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JPSH120

United Kingdom
1168 Posts

Posted - 14 Aug 2015 :  20:51:33  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Took the car along to a local specialist today as I have not been happy with the Webers since the car went back on the road.

He could find nothing wrong, balance was spot on, no blockages anywhere etc. So the only thing to try was larger jets, going from 100 to 110.

That has made a huge difference, I can now come down to very low speed in higher gears and pull away with no coughing and spluttering.

Poor modern fuel quality compared to 5* these cars were designed to run on has now been offset, albeit probably only partially, by the larger jets. I am delighted with the results anyway and thought fellow weber users might be interested to hear the details.

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bigt80

United Kingdom
1051 Posts

Posted - 14 Aug 2015 :  22:07:59  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Interesting there J. Using Shell VPower *** seems to help too. It is now 99.5 RON & is as close to 5* as you can get from a pump. I'm not a fan of additives, but used to use Aldon Octane Booster, but probably a banned substance now :-). G.
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JPSH120

United Kingdom
1168 Posts

Posted - 14 Aug 2015 :  22:54:26  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I've been using Tesco momentum which is 99 but I think a premium fuel is probably better. I will try BP ultimate which I think is the highest octane unleaded available.

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bigt80

United Kingdom
1051 Posts

Posted - 16 Aug 2015 :  21:41:12  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Have to disagree there: Ultimate is only 97 as far as I'm aware & usually very expensive. I personally avoid BP at all cost! G.

quote:
Originally posted by JPSH120

I've been using Tesco momentum which is 99 but I think a premium fuel is probably better. I will try BP ultimate which I think is the highest octane unleaded available.

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JPSH120

United Kingdom
1168 Posts

Posted - 17 Aug 2015 :  10:48:56  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I'd better check my facts then, Glen!

I thought BP was over 100 but maybe it has been reduced, I'm sure it was 102 originally?

Anyway, I agree with you regarding the cost so quite happy to stick with V-Power!

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arrocuda

United Kingdom
501 Posts

Posted - 17 Aug 2015 :  14:44:40  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
There's always LPG if you need high octane fuel. Here in Britain it's 102-108 RON no additives required. Also retails at 52p a litre about a mile away from me so all my cars get converted if they're keepers.

Another good thing about LPG is the lack of carbon deposits building up in your engine. Used oil comes out almost as clean as the new oil you are replacing it with, and tends to hold its viscosity for longer.



Building the 'Mark II' fastback Rapier ('Arrocuda').
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pruyter

Netherlands
320 Posts

Posted - 17 Aug 2015 :  15:17:49  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
The reason why I use BP Ultimate is that this type of fuel is for 100% sure without any ethanol! Regarding Shell: up to my knowledge all the fuel contains some ethanol.
I don't have to explain what kind of trouble ethanol can cause to our classic cars.

Regards,

Peter
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bigt80

United Kingdom
1051 Posts

Posted - 18 Aug 2015 :  08:33:59  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi Peter; In the UK, all petrol contains ethanol to a greater or lesser degree, including BP Ultimate - as far as I'm aware.
The problem as far as I know, is not in the everyday running per se, it is the effect on the old parts in the fuel system like hoses, lines, inner tank linings, diaphragms etc which, over time, deteriorate, especially if a vehicle is left standing for long periods of time. G.
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pruyter

Netherlands
320 Posts

Posted - 18 Aug 2015 :  11:17:02  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi Glenn,

It was Chris Barker, the technical officer from SAOC, which has done a lot of investigation regarding ethanol who stated that BP Ultimate was completly free of ethanol and now here in the Netherlands BP does some advertising with the statement that Ultimate is free from ethanol.
The reason why I believe this is the following: in many years when I parked my Sunbeam Tiger for hibernation in my garage I could be sure that the first ride I made after hibernation I got problems with the carburettor. I had to clean the carburettor and all was fine again. Since a few years I take care that the Tiger is parked with a full tank of Ultimate before hibernation starts and guess what? I never experienced again thos carb problems.
Regards,
Peter

Edited by - pruyter on 18 Aug 2015 12:26:05
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grumpy1

United Kingdom
34 Posts

Posted - 19 Aug 2015 :  10:24:19  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by bigt80

Have to disagree there: Ultimate is only 97 as far as I'm aware & usually very expensive. I personally avoid BP at all cost! G.

quote:
Originally posted by JPSH120

I've been using Tesco momentum which is 99 but I think a premium fuel is probably better. I will try BP ultimate which I think is the highest octane unleaded available.


Glen is correct here. BP is quoted on the pump at my local BP station as being 97...I know 'cos I bought some yesterday for my Stag! Derek
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grumpy1

United Kingdom
34 Posts

Posted - 19 Aug 2015 :  10:31:11  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by bigt80

Hi Peter; In the UK, all petrol contains ethanol to a greater or lesser degree, including BP Ultimate - as far as I'm aware.
The problem as far as I know, is not in the everyday running per se, it is the effect on the old parts in the fuel system like hoses, lines, inner tank linings, diaphragms etc which, over time, deteriorate, especially if a vehicle is left standing for long periods of time. G.



According to the FBHVC research of fuel commanies, it depends on where the fuel is refined in the UK as ethanol is added at the ditribution point and it varies geographically. Here in the South West fuel is distrubuted to ALL fuel stations from Plymouth and Super Unleaded contains ethanol in all brands. Once you get into West Somerset and beyond Myrco Super is ethanol free apparently. BUT, do you think I can find a Murco stantion selling super Unleaded!! Not a chance. You might have better luck nearer to you in Dorset/Wilts and beyond? Derek
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arrocuda

United Kingdom
501 Posts

Posted - 19 Aug 2015 :  12:34:52  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by grumpy1

BUT, do you think I can find a Murco stantion selling super Unleaded!! Not a chance. You might have better luck nearer to you in Dorset/Wilts and beyond? Derek



Interesting post cos I don't remember seeing a Murco station in my locality for a long time. A little googling and I came across this. Bad news if you live in Scotland it has to be said.

http://www.murco.co.uk/station-finder/

Building the 'Mark II' fastback Rapier ('Arrocuda').
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bigt80

United Kingdom
1051 Posts

Posted - 21 Aug 2015 :  09:05:24  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks Peter for the additional info; interesting. Thanks too for other comments. Murco never very popular down in my part of the world & usually more expensive. I occasionally visit one en route to Banbury from here in Wilts, but never seen super-unleaded on offer either.
I seem to find a lot of filling stations have changed brands recently: with many Shell stations being taken over by Esso or BP; my local Jet has finally gone & since been a Texaco & is now a BP. Seems odd to me to go to all that trouble - down in B'mth there are 2 within 1/4 of a mile of each other that still survive, but after being rivals (Esso/BP) for years, they're both Esso now, but with different prices that change within the day sometimes!
Cheers. G.
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arrocuda

United Kingdom
501 Posts

Posted - 21 Aug 2015 :  13:56:48  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
It's only an observation by looking at the map, but they tend to be out in the sticks with hardly any in the major conurbations. It's very difficult for independent retailers to survive if they have to compete with a supermarket in their local vicinity. I've not seen a Jet station for years, I thought they'd got out of the business.

Nice to see the major supermarket operators getting a taste of their own medicine from Lidl and Aldi, but no surprise that either of them are British owned companies.

Building the 'Mark II' fastback Rapier ('Arrocuda').
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