E10 ethanol fuel is coming- watch out low usage cars

ratbag

ratbag

Member
Messages
135
Just read E10 ethanol fuel is coming this September in the UK.
In the mid 2000's Florida introduced E10. At the time I was running a 5.7 V8 powerboat which I kept at my holiday home in Florida's Gulf Coast. I had no choice but to switch to E10. The boat sat for months at a time unused whilst I was back in the UK.
It wasn't long before it conked out offshore and would not go above idle. Stripping down the fuel system revealed a greyish gunk blocking the fuel filter. I switched over to newly introduced premium "recreational gas" no/low ethanol and never had a problem again.
What happens is ethanol absorbs water when left for long periods. This sinks to the bottom of the tank then mixes with the fuel when used again and forms gunk which can block filters, injectors and fuel lines.
The problem does not occur with fuel tanks which are "turned over "regularly, like a car filled up every couple of weeks.
Problems occur when a tank of ethanol fuel sits for long periods unused.
I understand that E5 premium petrol will be still be available here (at a price) I think I will be using this as my GT is a low mileage toy and a tank can last me months....


82409
 
hashluck

hashluck

Member
Messages
1,521
Yep - just keep using V-Power or similar E5 fuels and invest in a few bottles of this

www.millersoils-shop.co.uk

VSPe Power Plus Multi Shot Fuel Treatment - 500ml

An ‘all in one’, multi shot, petrol fuel treatment providing ethanol protection, lead replacement and an octane improver dependent on selected fuel quality. Recommended for all classic engines previously requiring leaded fuel and now running on unleaded fuel. Endorsed by the FBHVC.
www.millersoils-shop.co.uk www.millersoils-shop.co.uk
 
FIFTY

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
Lovely.

Formula 1 are switching to E10 in a few years. Hoping this cause a push for better quality bio-fuel
 
B

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,966
Worth being aware of, thanks. I have a couple of cars that I SORN over the winter so this is relevant to me and I suspect many people on here.
 
dgmx5

dgmx5

Member
Messages
1,142
FIFTY said:
Formula 1 are switching to E10 in a few years. Hoping this cause a push for better quality bio-fuel
Click to expand...

F1 cars don't generally have issues with fuel being stored for long in the tank, more the opposite.

But it is true that the advances in fuels and oils in F1 will filter down to some extent to road cars. This seems to be the preferred route to push F1's green message for the next 5 year cycle.
 
FIFTY

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
dgmx5 said:
F1 cars don't generally have issues with fuel being stored for long in the tank, more the opposite.

But it is true that the advances in fuels and oils in F1 will filter down to some extent to road cars. This seems to be the preferred route to push F1's green message for the next 5 year cycle.
Click to expand...

Surely filtering out some of the **** to create a cleaner purer burning fuel is the key to unlocking more performance?

I am not a scientist, happy for someone to explain it to me
 
N

NigelC

New Member
Messages
2
This change isn't driven by improvement its pandering to Greta.
E10 is less energy rich than Ethanol free and E5, ie: less miles per gallon, forms clogging gel by absorbing water if left for long periods and may wreck fuel system parts in older, pre 2011, vehicles, but you know you should be driving a Nissan Leaf.
 
Oneball

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,113
NigelC said:
This change isn't driven by improvement its pandering to Greta.
E10 is less energy rich than Ethanol free and E5, ie: less miles per gallon, forms clogging gel by absorbing water if left for long periods and may wreck fuel system parts in older, pre 2011, vehicles, but you know you should be driving a Nissan Leaf.
Click to expand...

Ethanol although less energy per litre has a much higher octane rating than petrol so an engine running on ethanol can actually produce more power and be more efficient
 
midlifecrisis

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,198
Listening to a motorcycle podcast, they state that the new Suzuki Hayabusa has a euro5 compliant engine that is the same size as a 10 year old one but produces less power but uses more fuel.... Well done Europe and Greta
 
philw696

philw696

Member
Messages
25,391
alfatwo said:
Can we use this stuff in old Masers?

Say 3200's onwards without causing problems..

Dave
Click to expand...
Well my Renault 4 runs awful on the stuff so I use 98 E5.
The Boxster S runs fine on both but I still use the 98 so I wouldn't be putting it in a highly strung 3200 mate.
 
Trev Latter

Trev Latter

Member
Messages
1,213
I ran my TDM 900 on it a few times while touring Germany and I have to say it wasn’t great. Down on power, just felt a little rough compared to normal, but normality restored fairly soon after refilling with “normal” fuel. It won’t be going anywhere near my 3200.
 
nickb

nickb

Junior Member
Messages
36
If you want to avoid ethanol then Esso Synergy Supreme is the way to go. 99 RON and no ethanol in most of the country (except for Devon, Cornwall, Teeside, parts of the northwest and Scotland).

www.esso.co.uk

Synergy Fuels | Esso

Esso branded service stations have a variety of Synergy fuel blends (grades) to help you get to where you're going. Learn more here.
www.esso.co.uk www.esso.co.uk
 
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