Unleaded fuel in VW engine? Valve saver or no valve saver?

pfillery Insano Dub Head

734 posts · joined Dec 2011 · 6 Nov 2012, 1:27 pm

#929906

What is the definitive answer here? The VW engine has alloy heads and the petrol companies tell us that anything with alloy heads will already have hardened valves and seats therefore can use unleaded, yet they sell kits for ULP conversion on VW engines, plus almost everyone talks about using valve saver.

So what is correct? Do you need to perform a conversion to run on straight ULP?

barls Administrator Causer of Chaos and Mayhem

9,476 posts · joined Jun 2004 · 6 Nov 2012, 1:57 pm

#929907

“We all pay for life with death, so everything in between should be free.” Bill Hicks
the chaos project - click me

waveman1500 Also rides a Honda

1,346 posts · joined Dec 2009 · 6 Nov 2012, 2:43 pm

#929910

No, they don't need valve saver. Unleaded is fine.

If you want proof, then here's a letter from the UK's Civil Aviation Authority authorising VW-engined aircraft to run on unleaded fuel. If it's safe enough for an aircraft engine, then it's safe enough for me!

http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/engineering/Mogas/VW/Introduction%20Unleaded%20VW%20Nov%2010.pdf

1972 VW S-Bug - For Sale!
1968-onwards Beetle panels and glass for sale

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 6 Nov 2012, 6:16 pm

#929935

selling 'unleaded' heads for the VW is just a sales ripoff.

Basically since the mid 50's the valve seats fitted to VW heads where made of hard enough material to not require lead in the petrol. Earlier than this would be OK for a few thousand miles but would end up suffering if a lead replacement product wasn't used.

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

AA003 Custom Title Time!

1,189 posts · joined Oct 2011 · 6 Nov 2012, 6:24 pm

#929937

What else is there besides unleaded?

I read it on samba, so it must be correct.

Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!😂

helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 6 Nov 2012, 7:08 pm

#929941

Was it after 1967 that ALL VW engines had hardened seats for unleaded?

If you still have a 45 plus year old head in your VW, then it has done well.

EJ22 into Bay Microbus - Finished project build thread- click on this spot here for info

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 6 Nov 2012, 10:22 pm

#929982

helbus wrote:Was it after 1967 that ALL VW engines had hardened seats for unleaded?

If you still have a 45 plus year old head in your VW, then it has done well.

it was much earlier as VW air cooled engines had to have hardened valve seats and valve guide inserts in the alloy heads

so they have never needed the lead or valve saver but many people still use it as it does no harm only good..

LEE

Selling unleaded kits is BIG business in the USA...lol

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 7 Nov 2012, 6:43 pm

#930056

I read that it takes about 80000 to 100000Ks to see valve wear.
Whos going to do that many Ks these days in the old VW 🤪

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

coletrickle Wolfsburg Wizard

661 posts · joined Apr 2009 · 7 Nov 2012, 8:19 pm

#930086

ian.mezz wrote:I read that it takes about 80000 to 100000Ks to see valve wear.
Whos going to do that many Ks these days in the old VW 🤪

Me!

1916baja Custom Title Time!

1,990 posts · joined Sep 2007 · 7 Nov 2012, 8:47 pm

#930096

coletrickle wrote:
ian.mezz wrote:I read that it takes about 80000 to 100000Ks to see valve wear.
Whos going to do that many Ks these days in the old VW 🤪
Me!

Ha ha! true... And then theres the racing!

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 8 Nov 2012, 4:15 pm

#930161

ian.mezz wrote:I read that it takes about 80000 to 100000Ks to see valve wear.
Whos going to do that many Ks these days in the old VW 🤪

Have done about that in the last two years in mine.

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 8 Nov 2012, 8:41 pm

#930209

Smiley wrote:
ian.mezz wrote:I read that it takes about 80000 to 100000Ks to see valve wear.
Whos going to do that many Ks these days in the old VW 🤪
Have done about that in the last two years in mine.

Smiley 🙂

So have I.

From your ole' mate Jeff

70AutoStik Insano Dub Head

730 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 9 Nov 2012, 5:24 pm

#930290

What are you doing driving Smiley's car, Jeff?

whathaveidone Custom Title Time!

1,559 posts · joined Feb 2010 · 9 Nov 2012, 5:33 pm

#930293

70AutoStik wrote:What are you doing driving Smiley's car, Jeff?

😂😂😂😂😂😂

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 9 Nov 2012, 8:47 pm

#930353

70AutoStik wrote:What are you doing driving Smiley's car, Jeff?

Well.......... Smiley's car IS a damn good car.

I actually have a 69 in the garage that I started to make into a baha before I met my wife - if I can out live her, I will be allowed to finish it. :-)

From your ole' mate Jeff

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 10 Nov 2012, 8:10 am

#930402

beetleboyjeff wrote:
70AutoStik wrote:What are you doing driving Smiley's car, Jeff?
Well.......... Smiley's car IS a damn good car.

I actually have a 69 in the garage that I started to make into a baha before I met my wife - if I can out live her, I will be allowed to finish it. :-)

Why thank you!!

You must be pretty sneaky cause I never hear her leave and the petrol is always back at the same level!

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 10 Nov 2012, 8:38 am

#930404

Smiley, I am married - I am used to 'not leaving footprints', otherwise I wouldn't be allowed to do anything. lol

....and as BP said - "always leave a campsite as if you had never been there - leave nothing but your thanks".

From your ole' mate Jeff