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MG MGA - Valvemaster

Anyone using Castrol Valvemaster gas additive in a 1500 or 1600 engine?
Barry
Baz

Can you get it here in the States?
Emmanuel Kafant

I don't know. just found out about it myself and looking for information.
Baz

It seems like you can get it only in Europe. I did a search and it seems like that is it. I have heard that it is a very good product from English car magazines.
Emmanuel Kafant

The question is, Manny, do we need it in our engines and does it do a proper job. We can always import it if necessary.
Barry
Baz

That question is opening a can of worms. I have heard yes, no, maybe depending on the amount of miles you put on your car. I have heard that it depends on if you do alot of highway driving. All that being said, if you do not have hardened valve seats, it surely would not do a bit of harm. Consider it as insurance. I do trust Castrol though, and do not believe that they would put garbage or snake oil out as a product. I saw alot of the product on Ebay UK.I wonder if they would ship to the US?
Emmanuel Kafant

They probably will ship or one of our British friends might send some over.
Baz

What does this product claim to do?
Mwhitt

It's supposed to be the answer to our unleaded gas.
Baz

Here is what castrol has to say about it.


Castrol Valvemaster and Castrol Valvemaster Plus
Lead replacement fuel additive for use with lead-free fuel. Protects engine against valve seat recession under all driving conditions. Keeps fuel system clean and protects against corrosion.

Castrol Valvemaster Plus provides an octane boost to unleaded fuel, reducing pinking, knocking or the need to retune.
One millilitre treats one litre of fuel
Kris Sorensen

Kris, is Valvemaster available in Canada?
Barry
Baz

I didn't get that far. I did an internet search and came up with the UK web site. I suspect you could contact Castrol.
Kris Sorensen

Thanks guys, but don't we already have those additives on this side of the pond?
Mwhitt

If we use anything but Castrol your MG will get a belly ache.
Baz

HI, I have been using Castrol Valvemaster plus in my MGA 1600 since I bought it 3 years ago and the owner before me used it. The standard valve master prevents valve seat recession due to lack of lead but an engine which has used leaded fuel for 40 years should manage without if used lightly. The Valvemaster plus has an octane booster in it - this brings the standard 95 octane unleaded over here up to the 99 octane which it was originally intended to use. The engine has run sweetly all the time - no pinking at all. Cheers Cam
C Cunningham

Now there's a testimonial, thanks cam.
The question is, is there a US equivalent to valvemaster that is as good.
(humm, I guess that was redundant)
Barry
Baz

I want some! I have not found anything here in the States. I believe most of the additivesn here are worthless. I would use the Castrol, because of the name recognition. Barry is right, our cars will get a bellyache without Castrol products.
Emmanuel Kafant

I believe Valvemaster is manufactured by Octel and marketed through a number of oil companies including Castrol. It is a phosphorus based product and the company has offices in both the UK and US.
John DeWolf

I may be wrong but is RELEAD not an equivalent product. It is availkable more readily and should do the same job as Valvemaster. Right or wrong ???
Gordon Harrison

Hi, John is correct. The Castrol Valvemaster plus bottle I have in front of me states that the Valvemaster product is a registered trade mark of Associated Octel Co Ltd. I buy mine from the MG owners Club who are doing a 6 for the price of 5 at the moment possibly for members only and still rather expensive- post free in UK but to US the shipping is probably rather high. Give them a call - email mginfo@mgownersclub.co.uk - Cheers Cam
C Cunningham

Cam

How much is it a bottle and what quantities a gallon etc? i.e. what is the cost per litre?

I have hardened valve seats so recession is not an issue with me, just the octanes - the more the better! On advice of others on this BBS I have been putting in Shell Super unleaded (98 octane) but it costs up to 5p a litre more than 95 octane unleaded.

I have to say that the difference between 95 and 98 octane is so noticable on performance, also cuts out pinking, overrun and the car runs cooler.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Hi Steve, MG Owners Club reckon that a bottle does 250 litres ( 50+ gallons) and costs £49.95 for the 6 bottle offer inc p&p. This works out at about 3.5p per litre. A couple of our club members have picked the stuff at car shows like Tatton Park for half this price though - it pays to look around. Cheers Cam
C Cunningham

This thread was discussed between 04/01/2006 and 07/01/2006

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.