message from Jules:

Hi there!

I have a lovely 1984 360GLT that has been using Lead Replacement Petrol, which is now being phased out in Australia. Can I use Premium Unleaded petrol or just plain unleaded petrol with an additive? No one seems to have an answer for me so I thought you guys may be able to help! She has done 306,000 km's and I would like her to do a few more!

Kind Regards,

Jules

My answer: you *can* but... in theory, Volvo engines for the 300 series only run on unleaded petrol since 1987...

All B19/B200 will work with unleaded fuel. Leaded hasn't been available in here since early 90's. Volvo's reply was that only stock B18/B20 needs some lead replacement stuff if I remember correctly but all OHC-engines should work with unleaded fuel.

As I understand it unleaded with an additive should be ok. I've personally never needed to use it, but I believe the process works by pouring the additive into the tank, then filling the car up with the unleaded, in my eyes it will mix better in this way as the tank fills. The additive will then allow the engine to function as it would on leaded fuel without causing damage. On unleaded alone, internal damage will occur, such as the valve stem seals I believe.
Pete

Valve seals shouldn't be a problem with Volvo's OHC-engine. When I asked about that, people at the Volvo said that only older pushrod engines (B18/B20) need some additive but all OHC-engines are built to work with unleaded. Though it doesn't do any harm if you use additive but it is not required.

you need to run 97 or 98 ron high-octane fuel with your car, otherwise it might suffer 'pinking' on high load. to cure this, fit another headgasket.

all volvos 300s after 1980 run on 97ron, all before need lrp

Hmm interesting to hear Volvo's official advice on that one! What's stupid here in the UK is that Leaded fuel was removed from the mainstream market, yet is still sold at certain stations across the country, ok at inflated prices, but it hasn't exactly removed the fuel from the public market, just reduced the number of outlets.
Pete

nagh you can get lrp, but not leaded fuel any more.

I've been running plain 95 unleaded in my 1985 GLS for 2 years with no ill effects except notable loss in performance. When driving my long holiday trip in France I used super as it's cheap out there. It's done about 14,000 abused miles, (lots of red lining), fine so far *touches wood*. Little or no maintenace other than oil changes. I've never had pinking.

pinking is the *ONLY* difference between 95 and 97 - the performance should be identical. 97 is simply more 'pink resistant' so you can use a higher compression ratio than with 95

5lab, it is actually leaded four star they sell believe it or not, which is why it makes a mockery out of phasing out leaded fuel in the UK to me! My Dad bought some recently for his Amazon, however as it was so expensive he's gone for the additive route instead.
Pete

are you sure? it should be illegal to sell that these days..

Its legal to sell just not at the pumps. So old classic cars can be run on leaded available from specialists but not the local BP/Shell!

i use either with no problems !
alot of people use fuel cats on historic cars etc;
http://www.fuelcat.co.uk/

read this too;
http://www.fuelcat.co.uk/tstmnl01.html

hi all volvo 360's can run on unleaded petrol, engine types
B17A/E..B19A/E..B200E/K
they are all basically the same engine
aliminium head with hardened steel inserts for the valves
if for some reason you start to get engine pinking early 360 retard timing by distributor
later 360 with renix ignition earth white wire coming out of the renix unit the conecter with 3 wires...this will retard the ignition by about 3 degees
hope this helps