Page 1 of 2
leaded fuel in an unleaded engine
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 12:57 pm
by Karim von Alvensleben
Hello everyone, writing to you now from coldish
Switzerland where I've finally met up with my 2003
C-Model and WOW! Thing is really a beauty to see and
even more to ride. Torque coming out all over the
place and it's so damn smooth to drive around. Happy
to be part of the club boys!
Now, to the more serious matters though... As some
might recall I am going to ship this baby down to the
African turf in Zanzibar where it should feel right at
home. However, unleaded fuel is as easily available as
a brothel in downtown Kabul... I read on the KLE 500's
manual that Super will go in just fine (damn garage
can't find the KLR owner's manual so I'm waiting for
it from the factory). Now, I've never had a doubt that
it shouldn't be a problem, but now I've had a
discussion with a buddy who doesn't agree...
Now, that I know of unleaded engines have a catalytic
converter which only really comes into play as far as
emissions go. Leaded fuel will screw up the catalytic
converter, but that should have no effect on the
engine, its efficiency or its output. Am I right? Can
anyone tell me the main difference between an engine
made for leaded and unleaded fuel? And how much damage
is actually done by using leaded fuel in an engine
built for unleaded fuel?
Thanx again!
KvA
Lugano, Switzerland
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leaded fuel in an unleaded engine
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 4:05 pm
by Adam
Main difference is hardened exhaust valve seats in an unleaded
engine. I dont know for sure if a KLR has a cat convertor on it, I
would have said no but then I heard it did???? Maybe some one else
can clarify as my stock exhaust is long gone. The engine itself
will be more than happy and maybe even thankful for a little lead,
help lube the valves and run a little cooler combustion. Too much
lead is bad, can foul plugs, etc... If there is no cat convertor I
would run the lead, even if I had a choice. Like I said, the head
and exhaust valves will thank you for it.
Adam
04 KLR 650
04 KTM 450 MXC
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Karim von Alvensleben
wrote:
>
> Hello everyone, writing to you now from coldish
> Switzerland where I've finally met up with my 2003
> C-Model and WOW! Thing is really a beauty to see and
> even more to ride. Torque coming out all over the
> place and it's so damn smooth to drive around. Happy
> to be part of the club boys!
>
> Now, to the more serious matters though... As some
> might recall I am going to ship this baby down to the
> African turf in Zanzibar where it should feel right at
> home. However, unleaded fuel is as easily available as
> a brothel in downtown Kabul... I read on the KLE 500's
> manual that Super will go in just fine (damn garage
> can't find the KLR owner's manual so I'm waiting for
> it from the factory). Now, I've never had a doubt that
> it shouldn't be a problem, but now I've had a
> discussion with a buddy who doesn't agree...
>
> Now, that I know of unleaded engines have a catalytic
> converter which only really comes into play as far as
> emissions go. Leaded fuel will screw up the catalytic
> converter, but that should have no effect on the
> engine, its efficiency or its output. Am I right? Can
> anyone tell me the main difference between an engine
> made for leaded and unleaded fuel? And how much damage
> is actually done by using leaded fuel in an engine
> built for unleaded fuel?
>
> Thanx again!
>
> KvA
> Lugano, Switzerland
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
>
http://mail.yahoo.com
>
leaded fuel in an unleaded engine
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 4:59 pm
by Krgrife@aol.com
In a message dated 4/18/2006 2:07:37 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
axrh350@... writes:
Main difference is hardened exhaust valve seats in an unleaded
engine. I dont know for sure if a KLR has a cat convertor on it, I
would have said no but then I heard it did???? Maybe some one else
can clarify as my stock exhaust is long gone.
The recent article in DSN incorrectly stated that the KLR muffler had a
catalytic converter. It does not.
Kurt
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
leaded fuel in an unleaded engine
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 5:14 pm
by Tengai Mark Van Horn
Your bike will run fine on unleaded fuel.
I used to run my '82 KZ650 on 100LL (100 octane 'Low Lead') avgas,
which has more lead in it that automotive fuel ever had. I used to
get it for free 10 years ago when it retailed for 'expensive' price
of $2.20 a gallon. I'm afraid to see what they charge for the stuff
these days! The bike really ran smooth on it; no power gain, just
smmoooth.
So anyway, yes, go ahead and use automotive leaded fuel in your KLR
without fear.
Mark
At 10:56 AM -0700 4/18/06, Karim von Alvensleben wrote:
>...unleaded fuel is as easily available as
>a brothel in downtown Kabul... I read on the KLE 500's
>manual that Super will go in just fine .... Now, I've never had a doubt that
>it shouldn't be a problem, but now I've had a
>discussion with a buddy who doesn't agree...
>
>Now, that I know of unleaded engines have a catalytic
>converter which only really comes into play as far as
>emissions go. Leaded fuel will screw up the catalytic
>converter, but that should have no effect on the
>engine, its efficiency or its output. Am I right? Can
>anyone tell me the main difference between an engine
>made for leaded and unleaded fuel? And how much damage
>is actually done by using leaded fuel in an engine
>built for unleaded fuel?
leaded fuel in an unleaded engine
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 5:32 pm
by jokerloco9@aol.com
Run the unleaded. Leaded was dropped here due to lead in the environment.
It also just happened to screw up cat converters. Double bonus.
About the only thing you may get is a little more soot on the plugs. The
lead may actually be good for the valves. Tetraethyl lead is a lubricant.
Everybody cried when it went away, claiming doomsday for engines. Obviously
changes were made to prevent that.
Most important is getting the right octane. Considering what i hear about
gas quality in foreign countries, I might be inclined to go on the high side
of octane, such as use 87 or 91 octane.
Jeff A20
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
leaded fuel in an unleaded engine
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:33 pm
by Shawn
you may use leaded fuel in the klr. but you cannot use unleaded fuel
in say an old v8 engine due to it would wear out valve seats
quickly .klr would probably run a little better but leaded fuel is
bad on environment especially since klr has no cat. convertor or
emissions control, except for the Schwarzenegger model which has
pollution control
shawn
a15
ohio
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Karim von Alvensleben
wrote:
>
> Hello everyone, writing to you now from coldish
> Switzerland where I've finally met up with my 2003
> C-Model and WOW! Thing is really a beauty to see and
> even more to ride. Torque coming out all over the
> place and it's so damn smooth to drive around. Happy
> to be part of the club boys!
>
> Now, to the more serious matters though... As some
> might recall I am going to ship this baby down to the
> African turf in Zanzibar where it should feel right at
> home. However, unleaded fuel is as easily available as
> a brothel in downtown Kabul... I read on the KLE 500's
> manual that Super will go in just fine (damn garage
> can't find the KLR owner's manual so I'm waiting for
> it from the factory). Now, I've never had a doubt that
> it shouldn't be a problem, but now I've had a
> discussion with a buddy who doesn't agree...
>
> Now, that I know of unleaded engines have a catalytic
> converter which only really comes into play as far as
> emissions go. Leaded fuel will screw up the catalytic
> converter, but that should have no effect on the
> engine, its efficiency or its output. Am I right? Can
> anyone tell me the main difference between an engine
> made for leaded and unleaded fuel? And how much damage
> is actually done by using leaded fuel in an engine
> built for unleaded fuel?
>
> Thanx again!
>
> KvA
> Lugano, Switzerland
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
>
http://mail.yahoo.com
>
leaded fuel in an unleaded engine
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:35 pm
by Adam
That's where I read it, thanks Kurt
Adam
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Krgrife@... wrote:
>
>
> In a message dated 4/18/2006 2:07:37 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
> axrh350@... writes:
>
> Main difference is hardened exhaust valve seats in an unleaded
> engine. I dont know for sure if a KLR has a cat convertor on it,
I
> would have said no but then I heard it did???? Maybe some one
else
> can clarify as my stock exhaust is long gone.
>
>
>
>
> The recent article in DSN incorrectly stated that the KLR muffler
had a
> catalytic converter. It does not.
> Kurt
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
leaded fuel in an unleaded engine
Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 1:19 am
by revmaaatin
Hi Mark,
Based on your experience; Would you suggest changing the spark plug
(hotter-colder) when running leaded fuel or change the sparkplug
gap? Seems to me (collective fuzzy memory) that leaded fuel burns
cooler, or is that a misconception (=fertile thought) to me?
revmaaatin.
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Tengai Mark Van Horn
wrote:
>
> Your bike will run fine on unleaded fuel.
> I used to run my '82 KZ650 on 100LL (100 octane 'Low Lead') avgas,
> which has more lead in it that automotive fuel ever had. I used to
> get it for free 10 years ago when it retailed for 'expensive'
price
> of $2.20 a gallon. I'm afraid to see what they charge for the
stuff
> these days! The bike really ran smooth on it; no power gain, just
> smmoooth.
> So anyway, yes, go ahead and use automotive leaded fuel in your
KLR
> without fear.
>
> Mark
>
>
> At 10:56 AM -0700 4/18/06, Karim von Alvensleben wrote:
> >...unleaded fuel is as easily available as
> >a brothel in downtown Kabul... I read on the KLE 500's
> >manual that Super will go in just fine .... Now, I've never had a
doubt that
> >it shouldn't be a problem, but now I've had a
> >discussion with a buddy who doesn't agree...
> >
> >Now, that I know of unleaded engines have a catalytic
> >converter which only really comes into play as far as
> >emissions go. Leaded fuel will screw up the catalytic
> >converter, but that should have no effect on the
> >engine, its efficiency or its output. Am I right? Can
> >anyone tell me the main difference between an engine
> >made for leaded and unleaded fuel? And how much damage
> >is actually done by using leaded fuel in an engine
> >built for unleaded fuel?
>
leaded fuel in an unleaded engine
Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:09 am
by jokerloco9@aol.com
Don't change anything. Run as is. There is far more difference between
different refiners and brands day to day differences than what a little lead
will do.
Jeff A20
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
leaded fuel in an unleaded engine
Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 1:53 pm
by Harry Seifert
No cat on the KLR, yet. I have been running 108 octane every fourth tank
or so and my stock heat range ND spark plug is as happy as a clam in white
sauce. The old line about two strokes and leaded gas was that the lead
caused fouling of the plug. That was supposed to happen with two strokes
and oil injection, although I never saw it happen.
Buddy
bseifert71@...
> [Original Message]
> From: Adam
> To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>
> Date: 4/18/2006 2:06:20 PM
> Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Leaded fuel in an unleaded engine
>
> Main difference is hardened exhaust valve seats in an unleaded
> engine. I dont know for sure if a KLR has a cat convertor on it, I
> would have said no but then I heard it did???? Maybe some one else
> can clarify as my stock exhaust is long gone. The engine itself
> will be more than happy and maybe even thankful for a little lead,
> help lube the valves and run a little cooler combustion. Too much
> lead is bad, can foul plugs, etc... If there is no cat convertor I
> would run the lead, even if I had a choice. Like I said, the head
> and exhaust valves will thank you for it.
>
>
> Adam
> 04 KLR 650
> 04 KTM 450 MXC
>
> --- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Karim von Alvensleben
> wrote:
> >
> > Hello everyone, writing to you now from coldish
> > Switzerland where I've finally met up with my 2003
> > C-Model and WOW! Thing is really a beauty to see and
> > even more to ride. Torque coming out all over the
> > place and it's so damn smooth to drive around. Happy
> > to be part of the club boys!
> >
> > Now, to the more serious matters though... As some
> > might recall I am going to ship this baby down to the
> > African turf in Zanzibar where it should feel right at
> > home. However, unleaded fuel is as easily available as
> > a brothel in downtown Kabul... I read on the KLE 500's
> > manual that Super will go in just fine (damn garage
> > can't find the KLR owner's manual so I'm waiting for
> > it from the factory). Now, I've never had a doubt that
> > it shouldn't be a problem, but now I've had a
> > discussion with a buddy who doesn't agree...
> >
> > Now, that I know of unleaded engines have a catalytic
> > converter which only really comes into play as far as
> > emissions go. Leaded fuel will screw up the catalytic
> > converter, but that should have no effect on the
> > engine, its efficiency or its output. Am I right? Can
> > anyone tell me the main difference between an engine
> > made for leaded and unleaded fuel? And how much damage
> > is actually done by using leaded fuel in an engine
> > built for unleaded fuel?
> >
> > Thanx again!
> >
> > KvA
> > Lugano, Switzerland
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> >
http://mail.yahoo.com
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
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