Club 80-90 Forums

I have a 1983 westfalia 1.9 petrol wbx

When I bought the van in June of this year the previous owner told me to add lead supplement to every tank of fuel. This I have done ever since with no problems other than the extra expense on top of the fuel costs. However, I have recently been told that VW made all their engines to run on unleaded from as early as the 70's. Has anyone any thoughts or answers on this point as i'm unsure how to proceed?

Do I continue with the supplement or will the engine/running/mpg suffer if I stop using it?

Cheers

Dave

You dont need any supplement in it
It will run fine with out it

^^^ WHS!

I don't suppose the previous owner was a former member of the Bay/Splitty owning fraternity ?

air cooled engines (beetle and bays) have been able to run on unleaded since the 70's. as that is when the yanks started to there emishion laws (well califoria did). i put an additive in my beetle but that is a 1957 modle, no such thing as unleaded back then.

hope this helps

neil

s60owl wrote: Do I continue with the supplement

No Dave you don't.
As all have said

Why does my Haynes manual tell me I should put additive in then? Bloody load of cobblers...

ask Mr hayne?

sjmtlewy wrote:Why does my Haynes manual tell me I should put additive in then? Bloody load of cobblers...

I thinks it called "sue me" protection!

The previous owner was indeed a former bay owner! Interesting.............

Thanks for all the comments so far. Looks very much like i've been wasting my money then. Never mind, it's not the first time that has happened!!

My next question then is will i have done the engine any damage? and would it be advisable to have the advance/retard checked out to make sure the timing is correct? even though there seems no obvious running issues.

At least i won't be a slave to the supplement anymore!!!!

Dave

No damage mate.. timing check is a good idea I do mine every year any way..

yep now you can spend more money you save on suppliments on bling