General newbie questions - sunny pick up

[SunnyTT]

Hi there! 

I've just recently bought a Datsun Sunny pick up truck - 1982 and still fairly standard! 🙂

 

I have a couple of general first time owner questions, so forgive me if they're silly, but i really want to learn as much as i can about it!

 

Firstly - probably a silly one - its an a12 engine, am i best running E5 petrol in it? I have so far and it runs well, but i didn't know if that was the most ideal?

 

And then just generally are there any specifics/known areas i should look and check over through the winter before it is used more next spring/summer. It seems to run really well and is in overall good condition, but i would like to know if there are any particular problem spots i should be addressing. 

 

I appreciate its super vague at the moment, but i appreciate any insight anyone can give me into this great little truck! Any cool facts/stories/info is appreciated too

 

Many thanks!

 

[datzenmike]

We run up to 10% ethanol here in Canada with no problem. I have never heard of nor seen problems with long time storage of our fuel. My weed eater has it and it sits out doors under cover all winter and fires right up i the spring. My 710 still has 2020 gas in the tank and was last started in '23 and it fired right up. There are commercial fuel stabilizers available. Pour into tank and go for a drive to mix it.

 

I would look into the ZDDP content of your local oils. ZDDP is an anti scuff package added to oil that is not needed by today's engines and also poisonous to the latest catalytic converters and is being phased out.  Here is has been decreasing since the mid '90s to 500-600 ppm from earlier 1,000+ PPM. Engines from before the reduction still need it to protect hem from cam and lifter wear and best if the levels are the same. I run Shell Rotella T4 (there are others) which is a diesel oil that retains the 1,200 ppm ZDDP level. It comes in 10w30 and 15w40. I've been running it in my 710 for a 12? years.

[SunnyTT]

Hi, thanks for that! That's good to know about the fuel too, we have both E5 and E10 at our pumps, so i'm glad to hear the 10% will be fine should i end up at a garage without one of the options. 

 

Great to know about the oil options too, i'll keep and eye out for the options we can get here. Zddp additive seems easy enough to come by here if i can't get the shell or similar.

 

Appreciate it! 🙂 

[datzenmike]

Well when adding you have to buy it and measure out the amount to add and you should never use more than needed. I simply buy it by walking down the aisle a few feet and selecting one with lots already in it. Diesel oils have more detergent in it so you may notice it gets darker faster. This is just it cleaning your engine of existing deposits. After a few oil changes this goes away. Always change the oil filter with the oil and never use fram filters.