unleaded fuel

[redbackspider]

Hi all,
does anyone out there know if the 1985, 2Lt European delivery spider made to run on unleaded fuel? I want make sure it has the right valves and seats and I don't want to use additives.
Thanks,

Redbackspider

[anglospider]

I have a workshop manual for the S3, with L-Jetronic injection system and, quote, "the filler neck of the tank prevents filling with other than unleaded gasoline".

So, yes, it was made to run on unleaded if you have this L-Jetronic system.

[spiderserie4]

Yes, agree, alfas have hardened valve seats so unleaded is fine.

[anglospider]

EDIT to earlier post: The word "gasoline" rather than "petrol" made me check my manual again - it looks as though it is actually for the US market cars as it also refers to the Graduate model and Veloce which I don't think were badged as such over here.

If anybody needs the manual let me know as I don't use it, I have the car disk for the S4s.

[CT1]

Series 3 runs on unleaded. Just seen you are "down under" check if it has a cat, you can't put leaded through a cat as it bu##ers it up.

[Cosmo]

I think the great scare over unleaded fuel in classic cars has turned out to be a non-issue. I don't recall that there have been any confirmed cases of real damage being done by unleaded fuel in a classic with a relatively modern engine - post 1950s - where the timing had been correctly adjusted. Sure, some people may have had problems that coincided with the change but probably at no greater rate of failure than normal. If anything, the LRP additives were worse. My old XJ6 ran much better on proper unleaded than on LRP.

[spiderserie4]

In any car originally fitted with a Cat, the petrol filler wil be smaller, so you can't fill it with leaded by mistake. (unless use a petrol can, and don't know what it has been filled with!)

I once ran out of fuel in a friend's XK150 Jag, and was so happy to find he had a spare petrol can in the boot I just poured it in........only too late did I realise the owner had filled it with water! That was not fun on the side of a busy road draining the electric pumps and taking off the SU carbs to clean them out.....

[Erik Loye]

All Alfa engines from God knows when; at least from the North engine forwards have hardened valve seat and valves so no need for lead replacement. And true lead or lead replacement will ruing a CAT.
What is more of a concern is bio ethernol in modern fuels. As I understand it it will be wise to ad an additive to out classic cars if we haven't change all rubber parts (hoses etc.) to some that is designed to withstand ethernol and if the car is laird up for some months. Millers Oils are marketing such an additive.
Classic Oil, Engine Oil, Car Oil, Gearbox oil, Gear Oil, fuel additive and lubricants for Classic Cars from Millers Oils
Erik

[redbackspider]

Thanks to all for your response.
My spider was a UK delivery from Bell & Colvill that did all the left to right hand conversion. When I purchased the spider, it didn't have a catalytic converter nor did it have a bowser nozzle restrictor in the tank filler tube. Don't know what year the UK legislated mandatory use of unleaded; it was late 1985 in Australia so my spider didn't need to comply. Having said all that, Erik Loye's response assures me the valves & seats wont burn using unleaded.
The reason behind all this; I made the monumental error of using E10. This destroyed O rings, seals, rubber lines etc; I had to rebuild carbs, which I did however, engine hunts. Will have to carry out further analysis.
Again, thanks to all

[redbackspider]

Hi Anglospider,
what would you want for the S3 workshop manual?
Cheers,

[Erik Loye]

In the UK CATs were made mandatory from model year 1994. When fitted with CATs Alfa Spiders had FI.
Erik

[1981stallion.]

Hi guys

Im running a 78 alfetta saloon 2.0 and want to know if I can run unleaded fuel in my Nord motor?

Thanks

[spiderserie4]

yep.........( I think VeloceMitch told you that, already back in march?)

[1981stallion.]

Hi

Thanks for the reply, I know that this question was answered before just needed to make sure but couldn't find the original post that I posted last time but thank you again for confirming it