Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all,

I have a 1987 T25 2.0 Litre petrol automatic. By the fuel cap it has a small silver sticker that reads

Use Super / Premium
Oktan Min 98

I spoke to my local garage when I got it and they said I can just use regular unleaded and consequently havent had any engine issues however thought it best to ask the experts!! Any help or comments appreciated

Cheers,
Chris

Do you mean 2.1 litre injection? I've put 'bog standard' unleaded (95 RON) into my van and it hates it!! Coughing, juddering and farting all over the place. A lot of people say you can use standard unleaded if the timing is altered in some way but frankly I leave things as they are (don't fix what ain't broke etc etc). I think if the timing isn't altered the valve seats (whatever they are) or something else of a metally substance gets too hot.

'Super' or 'Premium' petrol tends to be either 97 or 99RON depending where you go. Both work fine in my van.

2.1 dj need 98 ron or timing altered to accept 95 ron. the results of not doing so are not pretty.

i use 95 ron all the time but then mine is a new vw 2.1 engine and it runs fine either its set up for it at factory or timing has been altered.

it will run fine but it will also be eating your pistons away.

get the timing checked chap. could save you a small fortune.

1987 will either be a 1.9 (1915cc) or 2.1 (2109cc) engine.. both engine sizes were available in different "flavours" over the years..
If it has a sticker saying 98RON, then its most likely a 2.1 "DJ" engine code which requires "superplus" (98/99 unleaded) to run safely on the standard ignition timing of 10 degrees BTDC.. If you want to run of "normal" 95RON unleaded, then timing MUST be set to 5 degrees to ensure the engine is not damaged..

Thanks for all the replies. Is there anyway of telling the actual engine? Looks like I should start using Super anyways but should I use up all the 95 in the tank first and then fill up with super (ie can they be mixed?) ? Not sure if the last owner changed the timing is there any way of quickly telling? Guess I should see if it sounds better with the super in!!! Never listening to the local mechanic again...

Engine number on the top near the front of the unit will tell you -also your log book and MOT certs should have the engine number

Of course thanks its a 2.1. Ill try and get the garage to find out what the timing is set to