Hi Steve,

I wrote you a nice letter and my AOL software crashed before I could send it.
Now I'm not sure I have the patience to type it all in again. But here goes.

We have used unleaded in our cars (5 2CVs) since about 1990 when our region of
California eliminated all leaded fuel. My 1985 2CV6 has 145,000 km and our
1970 Mehari has 160,000 miles. I tore down the Mehari a year ago and needed
only to touch up the valves on a grinder and then use valve lapping compound
on the valves and seats to get a good seal again. We did not have to replace
any of the valves or redo the heads/guides/seats at all.

Our cars are run in hot weather, normally at freeway speeds of 60-70 mph. We
have done lots of camping with heavy loads and a boot extension -- all over
the western US, Canada and Mexico. Most of the miles though have been stop-
and-go city driving.

In my opinion as an automotive professional for the last 20 years -- unleaded
fuel does no significant harm to an engine. Detonation is a far greater enemy
which 2CVs experience much more than valve seat erosion.

But this whole issue is a bit like the search for the Holy Grail -- it is lots
of fun to debate, there is no clear answer, and it will never end!!!

Cheers
Citronut

More down

The address for the lead free pamphlet is
http://www.environment.detr.gov.uk/leadfree/index.htm

Visit this site for UK Gov. leaded petrol policy for 1999.