TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1972 1302s 1584 cc

Sat Apr 19, 2003 2:31 am

I've just bought a 1972 1302s and don't know whether it'll run on lead free petrol. I had a 1303s years ago that had no problems, and I've been told that anything from '69 onwards will run lead free without any modification. Can anyone give me the answer?
Thanks

Sat Apr 19, 2003 2:38 pm

It will run fine on Unleaded Gas, just make sure your using gas with right Octane rating.

Sun Apr 20, 2003 8:14 am

Dcc said:

>I've just bought a 1972 1302s and don't know whether it'll run on lead free petrol. I had a 1303s years ago that had no problems, and I've been told that anything from '69 onwards will run lead free without any modification. Can anyone give me the answer?
Thanks

ALL beetles will run on unleaded fuel without damage - they do NOT need lead in fuel, and never did.

As Nate-dog says, you just make sure the unleaded has a high enough octane rating, and fill it up.

Since the UK has a minimum 95RON octane and the 1500/1600 engine needs at least 91RON, normal unleaded UK petrol is just fine.

There was a change in the hardness of valve seat material in about 65 (not 69), but even the earlier seats were HARD, and at worst you get a slightly reduced head life in those old heads.

Don't be confused by the isleading "unleaded conversions" advertised in the UK mags - on hard questioning you'll usually find they consist of normal VW replacement heads, which of course will run on unleaded - just like you current heads!(but they don't say that of course). That kind of advertising is not seen outside the UK - probably because it IS misleading (different advertising rules).

The USA has been running unleaded fuel in VW since the mid 80s and here in Aus we lost leaded fuel about 4 years ago.

Do NOT run your VW on LRP (lead replacement petrol for those who aren't familiar with it), the additives tend to foul the spark plugs in our hotter running VWs, so you get hard starting and rough running.

Rob
Rob and Dave's aircooled VW pages
Repairs and maintenance for the home mechanic
http://www.geocities.com/aussiebug1970/

Fri May 02, 2003 9:57 am

Thanks very much guys!!!
Appreciate the info/ help

Fri May 02, 2003 10:19 pm

We've been running on lead-free for years in Canada, so long that I can't remember when we switched! I've never heard of anyone having any problems with it. My understanding is that VW started preparing for unleaded in the late '60s. I always use 87 octane unleaded, which is the same as 91 RON, as VW indicates on your gas filler flap.

I think Rob is probably right, there is a lot of propaganda about VW parts needing to be upgraded. My father used them in his business fleet, summer and winter for 42 years, the last 10-15 with unleaded fuel...still the usually 200,000-250,000 miles, then replace the heads as compression losses dictate.