unleaded or additive

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105e
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Posts: 10
Joined: Sat May 07, 2016 10:47 pm
My E21(s): 83 316 manual

unleaded or additive

Post by 105e »

Hi could someone tell me if I need to run my 318 (1600 engine )on unleaded with a fuel additive,or is it ok to just run unleaded fuel?


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e21_lyf
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 84
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2016 8:44 am
My E21(s): M42'd 1976 316
Location: UK

Re: unleaded or additive

Post by e21_lyf »

technically i think you may not need a lead additive. tetraethyl lead in the fuel helps the cylinders operate at cooler temps and helps provide lubrication for the valve stems / guide seals. Depends what year your e21 is though, as I had a vw beetle which was 1973 and had unleaded cylinder heads from build. So I doubt very much that your e21 required leaded fuel from build as it commenced late '75.

You could put lead additive in the fuel though to help your motor if you are overly concerned. You'll get odd deposits on the plugs and possibly fouling once in a while though.
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Jeroen
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My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
Location: The Netherlands
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Re: unleaded or additive

Post by Jeroen »

The forum's search function will give you lots of additional info, like this topic: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=18417
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
105e
Newbee
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat May 07, 2016 10:47 pm
My E21(s): 83 316 manual

Re: unleaded or additive

Post by 105e »

Cheers for that.
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