’88 16v & unleaded

Hi, I just read something on another forum saying running a 16v ('88 E reg) on unleaded could be a problem, according to the post 8v motors have a knock sensor so dont have the problem but 16v motors dont like it.


Any truth in this?


If so.... whats the solution?

 

its the RON number you need to be aware of, the lack of lead wont affect it at all.

 

So it will pink on 95 RON ?

 

dont wory about the lead like unknown says ,it should use 98ron , but many owners find 95/regular unleaded is okay

you need to listen for pinking/pinging it sounds like a rattle in the front of your exhaust when accelerating from roundabouts etc

if you hear no sounds then everything is cool, if it does ping look around for a kstar or vsam unit that allows the ign to be retarded, or a skilled rolling road place may be able to sort it

 

Thanks for that


any ideas where to obtain a kstar or vsam?


I dont fancy running on 98 RON, 30ish mpg & top price petrol kind of stop it being viable as a daily driver.

 

ebay would be your best bet for those

id try it on 95 first..mine is fine and so are most of em, you just the odd one that wants 98ron

 

Gotta be worth a try, thanks for the responses

 

my valvers have never had a problem, one of them was a little funny at exactly 2500 revs, but fine otherwise

*waits for jokes about my cars giving up...*

 

I certainly wouldnt ever thrash one (ie more than 6k rpm) on anything less than 98 octane. Pinking at high revs and subsequently high noise can be quite hard to hear, you could easily melt a piston....I personally doubt VW would lie that its 98 ron minimum.

Cheers

Dan