Unleaded fuel problem

As will in most Eu countries, the fuel is now unleaded. So for our V240 from 1986 we have to add an additif each time we fuel up. That was easy to find in the first days when super became unleaded. But now they are getting harder and harder to find and we'd like to keep driving our V240 for several decades.

Can anyone specify what is in these additifs so
a) I can concoct a mixture myself
b) I can search in specialised chemical shops for the right mixture

Thanks in advance!

[Clifford Pope]

Is it really worth the trouble of trying to brew your own? The bought additives only cost a few pounds.
I have a Triumph 2000 which needs valve protection and octane boost. I use Millers VSP at £3 a bottle from Gardlite Oils, mail order. It works out cheaper than LRP, and after experimetation I find it actually only needs half a bottle per 40 litres to stop pinking.
There are others around - Castrol Valvemaster I think is one highly recommended. And of course you can now buy the real thing - lead additive.

Thanks for your reply! The reason behind our posting here is that it is getting harder and harder to find a lead substitute where we live (north Belgium). We used a Castrol product before, but now it's finished and gone in the shops. We thought we bought enough to last us the lifetime, but our V240 is tougher than we thought :-)
I'll check on the Gardlite Oils, but now you intruiged me ... where can I find the real thing, the lead additive? We can't find it in regular shops or gasstations. We searched for it the first months after the lead became banned. And what is the right chemical name?

Hi,

In the Spring 2004 (#134) issue of Volvo Driver there is a small article on page 46 regarding this issue recommending a product called Tetraboost.

Hope this helps

Regards

Andy

[rayspurgeon]

Try checking with oil companies such as Shell re their Optimax fuel and Texaco with their super unleaded to see if your 240 engine will run on those. Tell them the car's age and engine type.

It is possible that you only need the higher octane that these fuels can provide and do not need a lead substitute. From a date I am unsure of 240 engines were fitted with stellite valves which meant they did not need the lead protection of leaded fuels, only the higher octane rating.

My 240 GL with the B230A 2.3 litre engine ran perfectly for 200,000 miles on high octane super-unleaded.

BUT DO CHECK FIRST WITH THE FUEL SUPLIERS.

Good luck.

Ray

[vjck_uk]

My 240 1988 is fitted with stellite valve seats so does not need any additives.
All I did was to ring the service department at my local dealers and ask them.
If you do ring have all the information on the car to hand, as they will possibly ask for the engine number and vin number.

[Paul Clifton]

200 series engines do not need lead substitute as they were fitted with hardened valve seats from the factory, however some models do need the higher octane fuel to prevent 'pinking' or the compression ratio reducing. (Volvo fix was to fit two head gaskets and different water pump seal to take up the extra thickness)Not all models needed any mods it was dependant on engine type and model year.

Paul. 200 series VOC

[Peter Milnes]

And don't forget that BP make a good fuel in the shape of their Ultimate which has unleaded and diesel variants.

All the best, Peter