| Boost_me |
Posted
Tuesday, Mar 27th 6:49am [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 158
Victoria, Australia
1981 BMW 323i |
I was wondering if I can convert my car to unleaded fuel.....It's a 323i with a M20B23, I am looking at converting to L-Jet too as you all know, but can I also convert to Unleaded fuel?? What do I have to change or do to my engine to mak it able to run on Unleaded?? Thank's in advance....
Matt |
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| ArnZ |
Posted
Tuesday, Mar 27th 7:04am [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 78
Qld, Australia
BMW 323i |
hey matt
i run bp ultimate 98 octane without any leaded substitutes. havent had any problems with the car for over a year now and didnt need to do anything to the engine. my engine is completely stock btw
Arno
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| Greg323i |
Posted
Tuesday, Mar 27th 10:15am [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 306
Melbourne, Australia
1982 Hennaröt 323i |
Yeah, BMW started using valves for unleaded long before it was mandatory here, probably because of the US market. I've been running unleaded since I've had my 323i for almost 3 years now, no problems. |
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| Boost_me |
Posted
Tuesday, Mar 27th 11:01am [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 159
Victoria, Australia
1981 BMW 323i |
What year are your car's?? I'm sort of a bit scared to just stop using lead substitute..... |
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| ArnZ |
Posted
Tuesday, Mar 27th 1:21pm [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 79
Qld, Australia
BMW 323i |
my engine is from an 82
mate ull be fine running unleaded, as long as its 98 octane ull hav no problems |
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| pjs323i |
Posted
Tuesday, Mar 27th 1:39pm [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 51
Canberra, Australia
'81 323i |
Two cars (orgininaly leaded cars that is) will run unleaded without a problem or damage to the valves, they are:
a datsun (god bless 'em) and a pre 83 BMW. Why might you ask?? because of the metals used in the head.
That being said, only use Shell and BP all the others have nasty petrol, especially woolies. don't put that in your tank unless you want to go down the road and do a U turn and fill it up agian...
!!!Only use Premium High Octane!!!
Valve saver is a load of garbage in our cars... I was sceptical but everyone BMW speciallist i have spoken to says the same. |
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| pjs323i |
Posted
Tuesday, Mar 27th 1:43pm [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 51
Canberra, Australia
'81 323i |
PS owned the car for 18 months and used valve saver twice when i first brought it, every other time i use Shell Optimax petrol. Previouse owner (from new might i add) did the same when leaded was fazed out in australia. |
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| MayanArch |
Posted
Tuesday, Mar 27th 3:28pm [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 1251
Florida, USA
Baur E21 2.7 1982, Baur E30 318i 1985, 323i 1978 |
I doubt there was a leaded/unleaded variation in the M10 and M20 engines..........especially inside the head.
Why would BMW do this? There is no advantage to crating different cylinder head designs.
"Thats just my opinion.......I could be wrong." |
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| Madhatter |
Posted
Tuesday, Mar 27th 4:09pm [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 140
Australia - QLD
E21, E24, E30 |
its not the head, its just the valve seats which are a softer metal.
You dont have a problem with E21's though, the majority of the heads come with hardened valve seats and will stand up to the abuse they take when running. There is a list of vehicles that come with hardened seats out there, do a websearch.
The only thing they reccomend is you run a fuel with a minimum 96ron rating which is equivilant to the original leaded fuel. They also reccomend you run a course of lubricant through the motor every 4-5 tanks to keep everything sweet. Ive got a bottle of it and just put a squirt in when ever i remember, but it really isnt that big a deal. |
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| Boost_me |
Posted
Wednesday, Mar 28th 12:42am [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 161
Victoria, Australia
1981 BMW 323i |
Thank's heap's guy's....next time I fill up I'm going to use Optimax and cross my finger....lol....Na it should be fine........Thank's for the help....What's this engine flushing/cleaner stuff your talking about Madhatter??? Ok I'll let you all know how it goes......  |
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| Madhatter |
Posted
Wednesday, Mar 28th 12:13pm [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 142
Australia - QLD
E21, E24, E30 |
lubricant.
UCL, upper cylinder lubricant.
Morreys and a couple others make it, valvesaver is a brand name, not really just a product as such. |
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| Boost_me |
Posted
Wednesday, Mar 28th 4:06pm [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 164
Victoria, Australia
1981 BMW 323i |
This morning I converted to Optimax (98 RON)....Seem's to be running fine, would there be any auditable difference?? Would I hear it doing any damage if it was??? |
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| melloh |
Posted
Wednesday, Mar 28th 9:41pm [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 515
California, USA (San Jose)
1980 320is, 1991 318is |
| pjs323i wrote: |
That being said, only use Shell and BP all the others have nasty petrol, especially woolies. don't put that in your tank unless you want to go down the road and do a U turn and fill it up agian...
!!!Only use Premium High Octane!!!
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That's almost exactly what my mechanic was lecturing me about a few years ago. Highest octane possible (94 if possible, but we only get 91 here). Only difference is he recommended stay away from Shell and the cheap gas stations, and recommended using 76 and Chevron (and some others). I can't recall why, but as long as I can afford to, I will follow his infinite car-wisdom blindly... |
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| BruceH |
Posted
Thursday, Mar 29th 12:09am [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 1110
Atlanta, GA USA
81 323 Baur, 85 745 |
1. BMW valve seats have been hardened since the '02 days. The additive won't hurt but really isn't needed.
2. If the engine calls for 89 RON octane and you are running 94 all that is accomplished is that you are wasting money. All due respect to your mech but if he is telling you to run 94 in a low compression engine his advice is specious. |
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