Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
Whats the latest on Unleaded in West Africa. Whats the latest on Unleaded in West Africa.
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 10 Sep 2008
Gummikuh's Avatar
Which way??
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: In a Tent
Posts: 185
Hi Guys!

In 2006 there was no unleaded fuel after the last station in Maroc.

If you're not have a cat you run without problems. Leaded fuel is NOT bad for the engine (only for the cat)

The other thing is the quality. Older Bikes with lower compression can run much worse quality than new bikes with high compression. (except you have a new GS with a sensor for bad fuel....)


So the best solution is: old bike without cat.

I really don't know how many times our GS's run with high % of diesel or water;-))
and they're still running well!


Greetings from Perth werner+Claudia
__________________
Just traveling
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/longwayhome
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 10 Sep 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Posts: 542
The basic premise of buying petrol everywhere in West Africa (ie anywhere below Western Sahara) is that there is no choice between leaded and unleaded. Your only option is to go to the pump that sells 'essence' and stick it in. The only choice you may have is the octane rating, but this choice is generally limited to large service stations in capital cities.

According to the UNEP, and the other sources on this thread, all the petrol you buy should only be unleaded as all the countries in West Africa have now phased out leaded. You would also expect that given most fuel distribution in the region is controlled by large oil companies (normally Total in Francophone areas) then the oil companies should be complying with the requirement to only sell unleaded.

Buying petrol in jerry cans in more remote areas is a different story entirely....
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 10 Sep 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Southam Warwickshire
Posts: 21
Matt and everyone else, thanks for your input. Its seems logical that if a country has only unleaded being delivered to their pumps they ain't going to suddenly start calling it essence sans plomb to them its still essence. They are probably unaware there has been any change at all.

Did i really say logical and African countries in the same sentence. Well i am going in the belief i can get unleaded for my brand new generator and damn the consequences.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 10 Sep 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 22
Interesting, we went from Morocco to Mali through Western Sahara, Mauri, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Guinee in Jan - May of this year.

The green labels for unleaded disapeared just south of Laayoune. They sold unleaded and also sold super in Laayoune which made me believe that unleaded would disappear in place of leaded (super). The guy assured me that there was no unleaded but only super in the desert.

We didn't see the green unleaded labels until Bamako. We had bikes with no cats so we didn't care but we are about to do the trip again in petrol 4x4s and I had the cats removed...perhaps I shouldn't have. I had read on the internet that leaded was supposed to be phased out but seeing as it's Africa, I just figured it hadn't. Some people had had problems with leaded fuel and their catalytic converters but that information might have been quite old.

I did speak to a man in western sahara that had been running his unmodified peugeot essence on super for a while and said that he had no problems.

If someone gets a definitive answer on this, I'd be interested.

Good luck,

Gael
__________________
Traveling through Africa on 2 Yamaha XT225s
www.gaelandsonja.com
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 21 Oct 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Ghana
Posts: 289
I posted on an almost identical thread on the 4 wheel section, to cut a long story short I was told by the MD of one of Ghana's independent fuel companies (Allied Oil) that all the petrol in Ghana is unleaded. We buy one tanker load per month from them for our few petrol vehicles - all of which are modern, no problem! I have run the petrol in my Honda 4 stroke outboard for a good while - no problem! It is most definately unleaded, and the numerous modern vehicles in Accra (including two lunatics with Aston Martin DB9 s) don't appear to be suffering.
Gil
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 22 Oct 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Southam Warwickshire
Posts: 21
Many thanks Gilghana1, thats what i have been hoping for, someone in Ghana with positive news on this subject.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
west africa-north africa sroulaki North Africa 1 6 Mar 2005 14:41
selling a bike with a carnet in Africa... whats the risk jim Trip Paperwork 2 17 Dec 2003 22:04
Shipping 4x4 from West Africa to South Africa? DeptfordBoy sub-Saharan Africa 7 15 Aug 2003 18:39
Shipping from west-africa to south-africa dries Trip Transport 1 25 Oct 2002 16:42
west africa - south africa: may 2002 - 2003... esteban Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 10 May 2002 15:37

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:48.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top