Best fuel for my Pagoda

[James]

Hi all what is the best fuel for my SL 230 , 1966 pagoda (Australian delivered  RHD )
Do I need a fuel additive?
Thanks
James

[Garry]

I find the best local fuel for my 230SL is the Caltex Vortex 98.

I dont add anything other than the highest octane that is available.

Garry

[Jordan]

If you can find a spot that doesn't have ethanol in the fuel, that would be good as well.  There are web sites dedicated to identifying stations (at least here in Canada and the US) that have ethanol free gas.

[Larry & Norma]

Had to put 10% Ethanol fuel in whilst in France last week, seems to run ok should
I expect problems?

[Benz Dr.]

Had to put 10% Ethanol fuel in whilst in France last week, seems to run ok should
I expect problems?

Not really. I think the whole issue of ethanol has been widely over blown by a small but vocal minority.

[Peter van Es]

Not really. I think the whole issue of ethanol has been widely over blown by a small but vocal minority.

Including a bunch of engineers at MB.... 

[Benz Dr.]

Including a bunch of engineers at MB.... 

We have 10% ethanol here for several years. In that time, I've had zero problems with any of our gas powered equipment including old tractors, chain saws, 2 cycle equipment and lawn mowers. None of my cars have had any problems with it nor do I see any customer cars with any problems. Will there be something in the future? Maybe, but until that happens I'm not going to stand on the street corner shouting it down.

[Larry & Norma]

Don't think I will lose any sleep then

[jameshoward]

I would tend not to agree with going for the highest octane rating. Here in Germany the highest is 100, but 98 is routinely available. Really high octane will cause the car to run hotter and harder [definition required ] Either way, I would not use 98 in my car, not least because (a) it's pricey, (b) you really don't need it, and (c) I think there's some thought that it could damage the engine.

I've used all sorts in my car, and it runs perfectly well on 95, and puts less stress on things...

[garymand]

This topic never goes away.  Here are some facts:  I've owned my 250Sl since 71.  I've always bought the cheapest gas from the lowest priced station.  Usually ARCO now, but where ever its low priced.    I only know American gas and at least here in California the gas formula is govenment regulated AND its all made in the same refineries AND pumped down the same pipes to the outlets.  Perhaps in less regulated times and places gas fomulas were more varied, but not here and for the last 30 years.

I only feed her 98 when its above 90 F and I'll be riding her hard because she might ping.  When I can't up the octane on a hot day of running hard, I just back off the timing a few degrees, which is simple on the 230/250, a little harder on the 280 to guess how far to go and how to get it back.

I just took her head off at 110k for a chain and gasket replacement.  Her motor had about 20K on it when I took over.  So with 90K of my taste in gas, and oil), intake valves were clean like new and the exhausts had just a light film of deposits.  I was surprised, but the gasket was getting soggy so a good time to change it.  She loves to run and I run her hard. 

She doesn't seem to care what gas she drinks.  It all seems to be the same to her.  Her power seems the same. 96 or 98 other than pinging when the advance is not reduced 3 or 4 degrees, neither she nor I can tell any difference.

[Benz Dr.]

There must be differences in how octaine rating is done from one place another. The highest I can get here is 94 which I think uses the RON method for rating.

[Garry]

I believe there is several different ways of listing the octane.

We have basic 91 then there is a premium 95 and a special at 98 but not all service stations sell the 98.

Most cars here will run on 91 but the newer cars are s=recommending 95.

[garymand]

Yes we can only address our local gas supply.  I'm an experimenter at heart and have tried to test and verify what I think.  (Just because I think it doesn't mean its true)  I was hesititant to say low test/hi test in favor of numbers.  I've read all the opinions on gas additives and cleaners I just can get any proof of benefit and to the contrary when I pull my motors apart, I see no adverse conditions in the combustion chamber or the valve surfaces from ordinary plain low octane gas with no additives. 

I even run low octane in the 560 and 320 both say the require hi test.  Again, I only run high test when there is a risk of pinging and I drive 100 miles a day with an elivation change of 1700 feet.   I give these girls good hard runs and have a lot of fun doing it.

The 560 only pings at >95 F. that's when it gets hi test,  I've never heard the 320 ping, but wify drives that most times.  The 944 pings >100 F.  Its a low compression w/turbo so it loves low test normally.

[James]

Hi all,
Thank you forthe very helpful information.
Thanks also to Garry for dropping off my membership in an envelope with a mint Pagoda postage stamp!
Are there any "show and shine " or concourse  days listed for Australia?
I would like to catch up with local owners if the opportunity presents itself.
James

[Garry]

James,

We just had (March 2013) a 50th Pagoda gathering in Canberra where we got 58 cars. There are none planned.   I suggest you put an expression of interest on the " events " section of the forum and see who would be willing to gather.   I did it about 18 months ago and we got 7 together at Hanging Rock for lunch. Once you have some numbers then work out a gathering place and it will happen, which is exactly what I did off my own bat.

Garry

[Paul99]

I run mine on 98 Ron as on the lower Ron it pinks.  I notice in the mercedes car handbook it states 98 Ron min.