Product description

The sale of leaded petrol has been prohibited for quite some time, and in recent years bioethanol has also been added to petrol. The current fuel designations are E5 and E10. E5 may eventually disappear in the future, leaving E10 as the only commonly available petrol grade.

This is not good news for our classic cars. Many older engines require the protective properties of lead and cannot tolerate a high percentage of bioethanol, such as that found in E10. Fortunately, solutions are available in the form of fuel additives, such as the lead replacement additive listed here.

Although leaded petrol can no longer be sold, the absence of a protective lead oxide layer on the valves and valve seats can cause these components to wear prematurely. As a result, the valve clearance gradually decreases until it disappears completely, potentially resulting in burnt valves. In engines manufactured before 1975, the materials used were often not sufficiently hardened to operate for extended periods without the protective properties of lead. In other words, if both your Volkswagen and its engine were manufactured after 1975, you can generally use unleaded petrol (with an octane rating of 87 or higher) without problems, provided the engine is suitable for the fuel being used. If your Volkswagen dates from before 1975, it is advisable to add a lead replacement additive to protect the valves and valve seats from expensive repairs or even a complete engine rebuild.

The lead replacement additive comes in a convenient 1000 ml squeeze bottle, sufficient to treat 450 litres of petrol. This additive provides an effective replacement for lead in unleaded petrol and protects the valve seats against wear. It also contains upper cylinder lubricants and injector cleaning agents. It stabilises the fuel, enhances combustion and provides additional lubrication throughout the entire fuel system.

Note: If the cylinder heads were rebuilt after 1975 and hardened valve seats were installed, additional protection from a lead replacement additive is generally unnecessary. If you are unsure, it is advisable to add a lead replacement additive. The additive listed here is designed to protect the valves and valve seats. If your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter, always check the product specifications to confirm compatibility.

Also take a look at the tabs below for alternatives and related parts. You will find many more fuel additives here.