shell optimax ?

[Steptoe]

does anyone remember shell " formula " petrol that came out in the mid eighties and had to be withdrawn due to premature wear in engines ( BMW & vauxhall suffering more than most) , it was a high detergent cleans valves boost performance wonder fuel.Is it the same stuff that's available from shell now, repackaged plus peoples memories dulled over time. I run a fast highly tuned car and won't put the stuff in it, is it just me being paranoid. Shell denied any problems at the time, said the market wasn't ready for their fuel .

 

[The Mechanic]

Depends really....

Had recent discussion with man from the oil industry, he said that Optimax was good stuff and should work extremely well in 'tuned engines', he also said that it would not harm catalytic convertors.

So It depends really on what state of tune your motors in. We had no trouble with it in race engines running 10.5:1 compression but wouldn't use it full time as we can still source leaded petrol.

Yes I know theres racing fuel, but you can't always use that in some of the programmes we run in.

I do remember there being some awful engine problems back in the late 80's, but B*W had problems with engines eating themselves mainly in the cylinder bores and it was more production related rather than fuel trouble. Hadn't heard of Vauxhall having big problems their's was just ignition adjustment that the avarage Vauxhall mechanic wasn't able to get to grips with......but don't quote me on that.

 

[boundless]

For what it's worth...

Took delivery of a new GS 6 months ago.
I asked the dealer (Clarkes@Rednal) if BMW approved of Optimax fueling for new bikes, running in period etc.

I was advised to use it in preference to all else.

"Wonderful stuff, no detergent, it is to octane numbers what variable valve timing is to inlet/exhaust issues. If anything it will reduce engine wear by helping the engine management system avoid pre-ignition at all times."

Not a warranty buster at least then...

.....at least not now I've posted their advice on this forum?

 

[Jimb]

Its 5p a ltr more expensive ( 22.7 p / gallon ) if the chancelor put petrol up that much you'd soon be bitching, if it was 1p per ltr more maybe I'd think about it.

 

[Mick Fagan]

I've been using Optimax since it became available in this country.

I use my bike for business purposes and therefore record every cent spent on it.

At the end of every financial year I always do a simple equation, which is just how much money I've spent on fuel, how many kilometres did I travel, and work out the cost per kilometre of fuel.

Optimax costs about 5c to 10c a litre more here, than normal unleaded fuel, leaded fuel is now unavailable in this country. Fuel as a matter of interest to the peoples around the world costs about 80c a litre for normal stuff whilst Optimax and other manufacturers versions cost about 85 to 93c a litre. In capital cities that is, add 15 to 50 cents a litre for country pricing. The Australian Dollar is about .55 Euro and/or 72 US cents per Dollar to give you an idea of actual fuel costs

For the first two years of ownership my fuel costs were 5c of fuel for every kilometre travelled. I, in the first 18 months, learnt to make the machine run better. As a result, although the fuel price went up, the second year of ownership also returned 5c per kilometre.

The third year saw fuel rise once again and the use of Optimax in my bike. I was surprised when after a couple of tankfuls I was able to increase the distance travelled for every tank of go juice. In fact, I at one stage, travelled 770 kilometres on one tank, although the fuel pump was at that stage hunting for fuel. (I run a 41 litre tank)

This longer range for every tank of fuel was welcomed and although it cost more for the actual stuff, I was really surprised that at the end of one full year on Optimax, the fuel costs were still 5c per kilometre travelled.

I was astounded and suspicious of this, but, after consulting a few friends who had also converted to Optimax, they agreed with my assessment of the distance one can travel further, and, of the neutral outcome of the higher per litre fuel cost, on total cost.

Today 3 years into running Optimax I can still say that it does deliver what they say it does. Cleaner fuel that appears to keep the motor running extremely well, more dense fuel, so one gets more bang for your buck, but, most surprisingly, fuel running costs are the same as if one uses a lower octane rated fuel, that last one is the real bonus.

Mick.

 

[wessie]

Mick's experience fits with anecdotal evidence I've heard in the UK. You get extra mpg and a little extra performance but there is no real cost benefit as you pay more per litre.

I guess if you do a lot of miles the extra miles per tank will be a benefit, as Mick says.

I too remember the Vauxhall and burnt valves with Formula Shell. You don't think that they would make the same mistake again? Just look at what Honda did after the VF750 valves fiasco - they made the bullet proof, over engineered VFR750.

I guess the marketing must be working as BP have recently launched a rival product, Ultimate - although they made a bit of a cock up with the light blue pump colour as some people thought they were diesel pumps! BBC Watchdog - scroll to bottom

 

[exeter_lad]

Whether Optimax is good or bad, I remember the formula shell of the eighties and the expense it cost me. I have never used shell since - even though it's the cheapest petol round here.

 

[littleredrooster]

Hmmm.... interesting that someone has quantified the benefits, 'cos I thought that (after a couple of consecutive tankfuls of the stuff) my bike was giving more mpg. Engine certainly feels 'sweeter' with Optimax, but this is subjective.

Theory of the stuff is that, with engines with knock-sensors, it allows greater ignition advance and hence improved efficiency. BWM's don't have these sensors, so benefits should be minimal, really, but I will swear that the beast runs better!

P.S. Mates Kwak runs infinitely better in cold weather with the stuff - no carb-icing.

 

[gavin]

You lot don't realise how lucky you are having the choice between optimax and regular unleaded. Here on the Isle of Wight we can't get the stuff, something to do with there being no demand for it, possibly to do with the huge numbers of Austin Allegros and Morris 1000's still alive and crawling along what our local council laughably call roads.

 

[Tobers]

I put Optimax in once in ever 4 fill-ups. I do notice a slight performance improvement, and definitely get more miles - say 10 to 15 - out of a tank.

I have no figures to back this up, being too lazy to ever write anything down.