Does anyone use super unleaded fuel? If so, what's the verdict? I've been advised that the bike should run a lot better, and may well resolve issues with poor starting...
I always use SUL - specifically Shell whenever possible. SUL burns cleaner, and the cost premium is negligible for peace of mind knowing the engine is getting the best available. But NEVER use Tesco Momentum rubbish - too much ethanol that gets past seals and remains as unburned fuel popping and banging. It isn't good.
I find it incredible with petrol being the price it is that there is such an apparent diversity of quality-how much ethanol e.t.c. I think there should be a labeling of ingredients posted on the pump to enable potential customers to make an informed choice. It appears that some peeps seem to swear by Shell, I can't say I have noticed any difference between any of them but the proof would be to do say 10k miles on Shell, and the same on another competitors brand and then strip the engine to look at the combustion effects.
I hadn't really noticed a lot of difference bar a cleaner burn, however, I have see a set of heads from a high end sports car which has been run on nothing other than optimax, and compared to other cylinder heads the combustion chambers were clean as a whistle. Is it worth the extra 9p a litre? don't know if you fill up with good brands and keep away from the supermarket offerings.
I have always used Shell in my bikes, initially based on gut feeling it was better than most.......then I became general manager for a specialist company that carried out maintenance and construction of service stations primarily on one brand, although others did crop up now and then. All I will say is that I was / am justifed in sticking to Shell, having established where fuels are stored and sourced in the UK. AL
Undoubtably there are variations in quality of fuel, and Shell may well be better quality. The octane rating is what this thread is about though, can the 2 valve engine benefit from it? I'm not an expert on the subject, but my understanding is that higher octane fuel is of benefit to engines running a higher compression ratio, and that are able to automatically retard the engine ignition timing to make use of the high octane fuel - which means an anti knock sensor. I suspect the 2 valve engine in standard trim can't make any use of the benefit at all, and that the additional cost is therefore wasted. If modified to run high compression pistons and retarded timing, then yes, the high octane fuel will work better than standard. Can anyone confirm this or put me right?
Is it possible to find out if the calorific value of the petrol is greater or lesser in differing brands? I assume there must be certain standards in operation here. I seem to recall some chemist working in the petro chemical industry posting on Ducatisti in the past. It would be good to know if there was any real difference in the fuels sold, or are some of us victims of many years of subliminal advertising? Put a Tiger in your tank!
Tiger in your tank John? What about National Benzole? I agree that there was quite a bit on Ducatisti about SU and recall that the conclusion was that it made no real difference. Bit like the good old bad old nitrogen-in-tyres stuff. :smile:
I agree with everything I just said.....sorry, everything Zimbo just said. PS....Petrol from supermarket service stations is generally pretty sh*t quality.......Shell, Exxon and BP is usually much better......I have been inside many of the underground tanks (when they have been de-gassed) you should see the cr*p in some. AL.
Running Tesco 99ron in my SS (hi-comps etc), advised that normal unleaded would knacker the engine... Does anybody know the exact ethanol levels in modern fuel? Dont want this thread turning into some sort of Urban Legend banter lol
I can't tell you how much ethanol is being used, but the more there is the more likely the carb seals etc will start to fail......After years of rubber failure (an organic product) O rings have been manufactured synthetically so that they can withstand petrol and oil etc. Now that ethanol (organic) has been introduced into fuels, it is causing synthetic seals to fail..... Oil fired boiler maintenance engineers appeared to be the first to identify the problem which came about from a directive by the EU stating that fules had to contain a certain amount of bio fuel. More rules made by idiots that don't have a clue as to the end result. AL
Super unleaded does not contain ethanol. There are still some places that sell Premium unleaded without ethanol in, but they are getting few and far between.
Tesco helpfully publish detailed specifications for their fuels, e.g. see: Specifications - Product Benefits - MOMENTUM99 - Tesco.com Note that "Momentum99" contains up to 8% ethanol+methanol. Other manufacturers tend to be close-mouthed about exactly what is in their fuel (even when you email them asking!) but most ordinary pump petrol contains about 5% ethanol+methanol nowadays. This percentage is gradually increasing, and may eventually reach 10%. The good news is this helps engines run cooler, and cope with higher compression ratios without detonation. The bad news is that unfortunately it also tend to denature seals, o-rings, petrol pipes, plastic tanks, etc causing damage.
The same question was asked in one of this month's bike mags, and the expert's answer was that unless you engine runs knock sensors you're getting no benefit from using posher fuel. Don't ask me what it means, though, cos I've never been able to detect any difference between any petrols.
I notice they refer to it as ULSP and not SUL. Also, Tesco tankers lift from the same terminals as everyone else so it will just be an additive that lifts the octane rating.
Interesting to see in Pete1950 info' in additional information Point 3 Performance additives (detergents, etc.) are added as necessary at depots.
