My poor mini doesn't get driven regularly. I'm wondering if the lead additive goes off after a while? I'm still on the same tank of fuel for the last 6 weeks. Time to add more additive?

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"Beware the lollipop of mediocrity: lick it once and you'll suck forever" Brian Wilson

Not sure but I think not.

The Fuel will go bad after a while, I use BP Ultimate and have no real long term issues over a 8 week period -I have had issues after 4 weeks with other high octane fuels.

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1964 Nb Race Car - big bore short stroke & lots of revs - Sold
1969 Mk2 Cooper S - First Car

Are you talking about octane booster or the lead replacement additive? Two different things.

Opps! Im in trouble then as I use my car about every 6 months and its still on the same tank which I filled up in January..
It went Ok on my recent drive to Eastern creek for the Historic Day.

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1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)
2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S

It's like I'm invisible.....

I think we could discuss both issues?
I believe all fuel will go off over a long period of time, Im just not sure how long this time is?
I also believe the same for octane boosters but I would think the lead additives would be OK for a while.
Maybe we need to wait for a fuel chemist to come on line an get involved?

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1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)
2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S

Sorry for the late reply smac,

I had to urgently fly to NZ to see my Grandfather just before he died and stay for the funeral.

Thank you for clarifying things, I meant lead additive.... Things have been a bit crazy around here.

Clovus

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"Beware the lollipop of mediocrity: lick it once and you'll suck forever" Brian Wilson

I've tried filling up with 98 octane fuel a couple of times, there was no noticeable difference in power and no measurable difference in fuel economy. I just use 91 now. I've never had any problems with fuel breaking down or anything. The longest I have left it was 6 months, I rebuilt my gearbox, put it all back together and it started first crank. I hear the 98 octane does break down much quicker.

As for the lead additive, I have been using valve saver, and I have been using the valve saver kit that plugs into the carby and automatically administers it. It's an oil essentially, it doesn't do anything to the octane number, but it does act as a lubricant for the valve stems like leaded cars want. It doesn't seem to break down, but after a few months it might fall to the bottom in the fuel tank or something. A vigorous drive will sort that out.

BP Ultimate officially has a shelf life of six weeks, but it lasts a while longer in reality before it starts to go off. I can probably dig out the documents if anybody is interested.

Carby engines are not too fussed about it being off generally. It might make it hard to start after a few months. The Corona GT was a very cranky starter on old fuel.

I always to put the cars away on 1/4 tank or less. Then I fill them when I use them based on my estimation of how much fuel I will use plus a safety margin.

Cheers,

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2