Reading all about this new fuel coming in next year,many petrol cars will be hit with all sorts of problems,the very old cars are going to be hit hard,the list of things that this new petrol will dissolve given half a chance is nasty,anything rubber ,plastic ,brass, fibreglass,owners of collectable cars are going to find the going tough.
E10 fuel
- Thread starter zipdip
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For sure owners of classic/vintage cars may experience some issues especially with fuel hoses and o-rings/seals that may not be made of compatible materials. Most modern cars can cope with E10, but there is a fuel economy penalty and increased potential for water in the fuel. I've read somewhere that Shell V-Power will continue as E5 (for a long time it was E0, which I wish it still was).
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grober
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W124 cutting out (fuel incompatible?) | Engine
Hi all, New to this and would be grateful for some advice. I have owned my 1990 e class coupe 300ce (petrol engine) for the last 12 years used more or less daily. Recently it started cutting out and miss firing. Took it to Merk specialist garage who replaced 1 of the fuel pipes and also...
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SOME useful links in this thread.
e.g.
Chrishazle
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Those of us that own or have owned pre-Boxster (i.e. pre-1996) Porsches have faced this problem for ages. Basically in this country if you use 98-99RON fuel there is no problem and so far it appears all fuel suppliers will continue to have no more than 5% in their high RON fuels. However, on the continent beware! Most or all fuel pumps have to display a sticker showing E5 or E10 as well as the RON number, so whenever I had my 968 in Europe I always headed for the 98-99RON pump feeling smug - until I pulled up in front of a pump in Northern Spain and found that although it was 99RON it had an E10 on the pump! Swiftly moved on to a different petrol station! Shortly thereafter, in a Repsol station, I was told that Repsol do not use ethanol in their petrol - but that was 6 years ago and may have changed. Basically, in an older car with the unsuitable fuel lines, the E10 can strip the inner lining so bits progress through the fuel system into the pump and injectors, with disastrous consequences. I've read that you can change everything between the tank and the injectors to prevent this, but I found it easier and cheaper to stick to 99RON in my 968 - and the car ran better than on 95RON, and with the limited mileage I did each year the incremental cost was almost un-noticable.
Flyinspanner
MB Enthusiast
From UK govt website,
Mercedes-Benz
E10 petrol is cleared for use in the vast majority of all Mercedes Benz vehicles with petrol engines, except:- First generation direct injection C200 CGI (W203), CLK 200 CGI series (C209) of the years 2002 – 2005;
- Models not equipped with three-way catalysts, models retrofitted with three-way catalysts or produced with a carburettor. These are mainly vehicles older than 25 years.
The garagists here recommend 98 RON for all my cars, even the modern ones. They say that 95 (E10) has been giving issues for several years and increasingly so as more folk change to it due to 98 increasing in price.
Apparently the higher ethanol content not only is corrosive for older materials used in fuel delivery systems but it also increases the water content in fuel tanks. I don't understand the chemistry but happy to take advice from the professionals.
Apparently the higher ethanol content not only is corrosive for older materials used in fuel delivery systems but it also increases the water content in fuel tanks. I don't understand the chemistry but happy to take advice from the professionals.
Fastcar155
MB Enthusiast
Hi , Shell V Power varies dependant where you are in UK regarding the E value.
Bellow
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Would a 1999 American car/truck be specified for E10?
Re 'sitting for years' - what is the problem there - corrosion or water absorption? Do fuel additives/stabilisers help?
Fastcar155
MB Enthusiast
Hi , the marine industry tend to use fuel stabilisers in both petrol and diesel engines.
Don't use products designed for petrol engines in diesel engines and visa versa.
From memory a product called Fuel Set absorbs water in the fuel tank and burnt out when the engine are running.I think you can use it in both diesel and petrol engines.
Again from memory the product is non toxic.
This product is not snake oil.
Interesting, thought it only came from one refinery in the UK.
Bellow
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
It will be this one >> https://www.lubeng.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2300-L_X-flushing.pdf that I use. It also keeps water in suspension.
Better though not to let the water accumulate in the first place. I'm guessing a vehicle fuel system is better sealed than that of mere 'yard equipment'. All of this assumes only water absorption is the issue Alabbasi is referring to.
Fastcar155
MB Enthusiast
Hi , petrol goes off fairly quickly so best to make sure tank is full to stop condensation if long term storage or drain down tank.!
Both actions cause issues.
Fastcar155
MB Enthusiast
Hi , in the South West , North East V Power is E5 .Interesting, thought it only came from one refinery in the UK.
Bellow
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Neither are really an option.
The tank is a 35 gallon one (circa £200 to fill) without a locking cap but I need some petrol in it for cold starts (runs on LPG as soon as it's fired up).
Fastcar155
MB Enthusiast
Hi , years ago tractors ran on tvo but required petrol to start it.
These tractors came with a small petrol tank , can you fabricate a suitable small petrol tank to fit to your truck.
I notice that the truck now runs on LPG so I would check any tyre of modification to the fuel system is legal.
These tractors came with a small petrol tank , can you fabricate a suitable small petrol tank to fit to your truck.
I notice that the truck now runs on LPG so I would check any tyre of modification to the fuel system is legal.
Ethanol absorbs water so there should be no immediate problem in a sealed fuel system. It's more of an issue in vented systems like my old motorcycle where it will absorb water from the atmosphere. Ultimately if it reaches saturation the water can separate out and cause running problems, plus it can rot a steel fuel tank. It dissolves fibre glass tanks whether there is water in it or not.
It's no accident that aviation petrol contains zero ethanol because they are not prepared to trade risk for claimed environmental benefits.
The real negatives for me is E10 is an inferior fuel with lower calorific value. The vehicle will do marginally lower MPG and that in itself has to increase emissions which must partially cancel out the claimed environmental benefits. Unless E10 costs less than E5 or straight petrol then we are being robbed. In some countries it really does cost less but I wonder if we will see that level of honesty here. The Australians have done some studies on using E10 and E85. The following graph shows the increased fuel consumption. It's in L/100km but you can see E10 uses approaching 10 % more fuel than E0 in city driving.
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Any car should, E10 is not a huge deal. Stabilizers help if you're planning to let the car sit. Lawn equipment doesn't like it, but that's about the only real issue
So where is it not E5?
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