TEL Scavengers in Fuel Affect Engine Performance and Durability

Wear and corrosion in gasoline engines are strongly influenced by the halogen acids formed during the combustion of fuels containing tetraethyllead and the accompanying chlorine and bromine scavengers. While modern technology in metals and lubricants has provided improved products which tend to resist and supress wear and corrosion, this paper presents another approach, namely, the reduction of halide scavengers which are major contributors to the problem. The results of numerous tests both in the laboratory and on the road show that reduction of fuel halide scavenger concentration does significantly diminish corrosive wear and rusting in gasoline engines. Furthermore, these benefits are realized in passenger car service with no adverse change in engine performance or durability, as long as the fuel contains a phosphous combustion-chamber deposit modifier.