Negative effects of ethanol

[lawnmowerman]

Hi Bob

Things do not look so bad - at least they are considering E0 for classics. If the govermnent has been advised there will be a problem with E10 dissolving fibreglass tanks then surely E5 will still be a problem although it will take longer to manifest itself. Meanwhile I will continue to run on avgas.

Jim

[bikerbob]

Hi there
The problems that are coming to light at the moment are to do with Ethanol dissolving certain tank sealants and also some fibreglass tank resins with their obvious dangers. But Ethanol also has a corrosive effect on some metals & materials such as copper brass zinc cork  viton all used in carburettors. So how long will it take to say corrode your petrol tap filter in your tank or the cork seal in the tap or the viton tip on the float needle or the carb jets.  I would think that these will be probably be in the longer term but how long, and also if the percentage of Ethanol increases then this can only make things worse. I am not holding out much hope for petrol with no Ethanol in for classic vehicles when you think back to the introduction of unleaded petrol how long did filling stations keep the lead replacement pumps going not long, okay we have an additive we can use or replacement valve seats but there is no cure at the moment that I have heard of that combats the effects of Ethanol.

[a101960]

Assuming that ethanol free petrol is permitted there is then the problem of who is going to stock it. 4 star leaded petrol may still be legally sold in the UK, but finding a garage that actually sells it is very difficult indeed. I think that most petrol stations will not want to know. The only solution would be for it to be made mandatory for at least one outlet in every town to sell non ethanol fuel. Problem is how do you enforce that?

John

[Triton Thrasher]

There is something surprising about the claims above that 10% ethanol attacks cork.

[lawnmowerman]

I guess that garages will stock it provided that there is a demand and a healthy profit so if it is stocked then be prepared to pay a hefty premium - avgas is £2.00 per litre at the moment!

Jim

[lawnmowerman]

Nice one TT 

Jim

[bikerbob]

Hi there
To Triton Thrasher if you look at my original post on this subject you will see a link to the Historic Vehicle owners site where you will find that Ethanol reacts differently depending on wether it is mixed with petrol or diesel. So obviously alcohol and grapes is okay for cork.

[sinbad]

Hi, just for information dragonfly are now advertising tank sealer rated to withstand 100% ethanol.Sorry if its old news haven't been on for a while. Cheers

[bsa-bill]

Hi, just for information dragonfly are now advertising tank sealer rated to withstand 100% ethanol.Sorry if its old news haven't been on for a while

Got to give them full marks for the given name - "Slosh", pour it in and "do what it says on the tin "

[Triton Thrasher]

Ethanol is  pretty unreactive if you don't set it on fire.

How does it react with zinc and brass?

[iansoady]

There is something surprising about the claims above that 10% ethanol attacks cork.

Indeed. Not to mention the fact that Cleveland Discol (remember it?) was sold on the strength of its containing alcohol (ethanol). And sprint bikes have run on methanol (yes I know it's not quite the same) for donkey's years.

[alanp]

Just received in the post a catalogue from Frost, the restorer equipment people (www.frost.co.uk),and it is now selling some additive for petrol tanks to protect against all the nasties we have been talking about. I've added a photo of the page showing this stuff. I have no idea if it makes us immune from these problems but I expect I'll order some to at least try to do something to save myself grief.
 

[bikerbob]

Hi there
Thanks alamp for that information about Ethomix have sent the company an email asking for more information particularly wether it prevents petrol tank sealants from dissolving and also fibreglass, also wether it is compatible with Castrol Valvemaster lead replacement additive.

[Goldy]

We have lead replacement additive, ethanol protection additive, what next fuel additive additive additive? I have been attempting to find the ethanol content of the petrol I buy but it seems impossible even though I seem to remember reading that it must be displayed.

[muskrat]

G'day all,
            how is it mixed up there? Down here the tanker arrives at the servo with petrol in one compartment and ethanol in another. It then dumps 9000 gal petrol and 1000 gal ethanol into the servo tank. So the attendant at the servo should know the % ethanol content. It is law here to display the % and all servo's do.
 E10/91 has just hit $1.35 per Lt, 95 is $1.45 and 98 is $1.50. I get 20Km/Lt on the '51 A7, 15Km/Lt on the Cafe and 10Km/Lt out of the Rhonda all on 98 oct.
 Cheers.