Club 80-90 Forums

Hi everyone!
Just bought my first T25 and thought I'd say hi and get some advice!
First the details - she's a 1990 Holdsworth Villa "Celebrity" edition, 2.1i manual. Needs a fair bit of welding but generally roadworthy and all original interior.
I was looking for advice on fueling - the previous owner has been using 95 octane fuel and Redex lead replacement additive on every tank full. He had the van for 25 years so I assume that's absolutely fine. However, there is a sticker by the fuel cap suggesting she should be using 98 octane - a quick Google also backs this up, so any thoughts if I should change to that or just keep doing the additive and unleaded 95?
The other question was regarding the gearbox, the van has around 177k miles and both gearbox and engine have been untouched. My wife has been put off driving the van as gear changes are so stiff - would a gearbox rebuild help at all or is that just how they are?
Thanks

re the gearbox, I recommend an oil change on change of owner, that way you see the drainplug magnet and can assess the wear since last oil change; I recommend Smith and Allan 75w/90 fully synthetic oil that is GL4 and GL5 spec, readily available on ebay and direct from manufacturer, with a Molyslip GM6RA treatment added. It is likely the gear linkage that wants refurbishment. Post up a picture of the drainplug magnet for further advice

I have run my 1991 2.1i auto on normal unleaded for years. You do not need any lead replacement additives. Cant help with your gearbox though. Aidan Talbot on here is your man for all things manual gearbox problem wise.

Brilliant - thanks for the advice, will look at the gear oil over the weekend

Not familiar with your type of engine but mine also runs fine on 95, I used to pop a bit of redex in but that was just as a cleaner, later told it was Snake Oil.  Ref the gearbox, ensure you can get access to the filler plug and it can be removed, they are a bit stiff and you dont want to end up emptying the box with the possible inability to refill it.

Thanks Tony - found this blog https://vwt25.blog/2016/04/15/gearbox-oil-change/ which mentions the same, also covers linkage refurb so will start looking at that.

Got my Gearbox Oil that Aidan recommended from here......> https://www.smithandallan.com/products/ ... l-gl4-gl5/
 

guvnor1972 wrote: ↑10 May 2021, 13:12 Thanks Tony - found this blog https://vwt25.blog/2016/04/15/gearbox-oil-change/ which mentions the same, also covers linkage refurb so will start looking at that.

Same link I used to get info from, before doing my change very useful.

guvnor1972 wrote: ↑10 May 2021, 11:00 I was looking for advice on fueling - the previous owner has been using 95 octane fuel and Redex lead replacement additive on every tank full. He had the van for 25 years so I assume that's absolutely fine. However, there is a sticker by the fuel cap suggesting she should be using 98 octane - a quick Google also backs this up, so any thoughts if I should change to that or just keep doing the additive and unleaded 95?

Hi,
Mine, a 2.1DJ (I've had it 18months) has the same label. I use 95 (previous owner did for 7 years) but timing should be 5 degrees btdc. Standard its 98 octane with 10 degrees btdc. So check.
Info in your Haynes Manual or maybe even in the Owner's Manual. Also this forum.
What I tried to find out at the time -  are there any benefits in performance or fuel consumption that justify using 98?
Nobody gave me an answer to that one!
Cheers!
Pete

Thanks Pete - will check that out. Like I mentioned, it's been using 95 octane with lead replacement for the last 25 years at least so probably fine to continue with that.

As I have already started. You don't need to use a lead replacement. I have run mine on unleaded for many years without adding any lead replacement. They don't need it.

The only cars that need high performance fuels are high performance cars. They did a piece on this on 5th gear many years ago. Keep your money.

https://youtu.be/D5w1-d0GeVk

177k miles of putting in an unnecessary additive adds up to around £1600 of extra expenditure (at today's prices) by my quick reckoning.
Instead of burning money for no benefit I'd advise spending it on 98/97 RON fuel, and advance the timing to 10°, then enjoy the likely improvements in smoothness, power and economy.

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And it's not really a "performance fuel" issue. It's mostly about the benefits of safely advancing the ignition timing to get better efficiency, without risking engine damage through pinking.

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