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

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?

been covered a few times. you wont get a definitive answer as its all opinions
heres the pervious discussions
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91375&page=1#pid849770
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=89338&page=1#pid834288
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=89585&page=1#pid833642
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=49875&page=2#pid830036
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=66130&page=1#pid622392
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=58222&page=1#pid552409
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=65026&page=1#pid612065
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=44441&page=1#pid414112
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=29598&page=1#pid241799
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91620&page=1#pid852232
and thats just the first page of the search for valve saver

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

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.

What else is there besides unleaded?

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.

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

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 🤪

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!

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!

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 🙂

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.

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

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

😂😂😂😂😂😂

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. :-)

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 🙂

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".