General Unleaded Fuel

[the hobbler]

Not meant to be a silly question Ian, but how old is your fuel? Modern lead-free fuel goes off much quicker than the old leaded fuel. I have a 65 year old petrol-start diesel in my canal boat (a J2 Kelvin) and if the petrol is old, it won't start no matter what I do---go down to the garage, get a can of fresh fuel and it will start first pull-over. The fact that your engine will start instantly and keep running whilst you use 'easy-start' would seem to indicate that the electrical side is OK--try setting up a remote fuel supply (clean any old fuel out of the carb first). When I was doing my apprenticeship (sadly, many years ago) everybody laughed at the mechanic who reckoned that the fuel in the (classic) mini-cooper had 'gone off'. The car had been in storage some months and just wouldn't start. Replacement of the fuel made the car start straight away. You've tried most things, so you have nothing to lose--give it a go :bang::bang:

 

[ianhunterv8]

The fuel could be 6 months old? My mower isn't so damn fussy!

I'll try it, as you say - why not?

Best regards

Ian

 

[fiat500]

Resurrecting this thread for my own benefit.
Being mean and hating professional input, I didn't get the valve seats replaced with hardened ones when doing the overhaul.
The engine runs like a dream but I want to keep it that way.
I am interested in knowing if there are folks out there who have done reasonable mileages without using modified heads whilst on unleaded fuel without additives.

 

[Labman]

Resurrecting this thread for my own benefit.
Being mean and hating professional input, I didn't get the valve seats replaced with hardened ones when doing the overhaul.
The engine runs like a dream but I want to keep it that way.
I am interested in knowing if there are folks out there who have done reasonable mileages without using modified heads whilst on unleaded fuel without additives.

Never thought of using a lead additive. I will now!

 

[fiat500]

Labman, that was accidentally a good answer for me. Sorry if i worried you