23 replies to this topic

[jay1981]

Has anyone heard of ethanol being added to petrol? Soon 10% ethanol will be added to the fuel you buy at the pumps under some EU directive that a certain percentage of all fuel must come from renewable sources. 

 

Seems that this is fine a newer car car which was designed with ethanol in mind, but could cause problems in older cars. The ethanol increases combustion temperatures, which in turn causes valve seat damage. Ethanol also attacks rubber and alloy engine and fuel system components. 

 

Also, ethanol increases fuel consumption.

 

http://www.telegraph...amage-cars.html

 

http://www.whatcar.c...torists/1229022

 

Not good for a mini!

[HarrysMini]

"Due to be launched later this year it will be available at the pump alongside standard petrol and other green fuels"

[tomb1992]

Been hearing mix things about this don't they have ethanol fuel in the states? can make some noticeable power gains on turbo and supercharged motors if tuned to run on different mixtures off ethanol. but yeah not very helpful to classic cars and mini's i would assume   

Edited by tomb1992, 12 October 2014 - 02:20 PM.

[HarrysMini]

I'll continue using Shell V-Power I think. 

[A-Cell]

See http://www.theminifo...ol-in-the-fuel/

[Jordie]

I'll continue using Shell V-Power I think. 

 

Waste of money unless your car is tuned to run at that fuel rating.

 

By tuned, i mean engine designed to run on that fuel.....not just setting the mixture.

[HarrysMini]

 

I'll continue using Shell V-Power I think. 

 

Waste of money unless your car is tuned to run at that fuel rating.

 

By tuned, i mean engine designed to run on that fuel.....not just setting the mixture.

 

Hmm, I would say that is arguable.

 

I believe super unleaded only has up to a 5% Ethanol content, also the additives and cleaning agents in V-Power I think make it worth the £2-3 a tank.

 

Also, it is better with originally leaded engines, I have found.

[Jordie]

Placebo effect..... Im sure there are tests and results for the super fuels in standard cars.

[Dusky]

I always thought ethanol decreased combustion tempratures? Hence alot of drag cars running without a cooling system on pure ethanol?

[HarrysMini]

I'm sure it isn't a placebo effect. There are loads of benefits for using decent petrol, it's not just the octane boost. 

[AVV IT]

Sounds like a huge waste of perfectly decent ethanol to me!!.... Hic

(Hmmm I'm sure I cracked that gag on the last ethanol thread here too.)

[mab01uk]

"Due to be launched later this year it will be available at the pump alongside standard petrol and other green fuels"

 

Article is dated 12 Mar 2013 so should already be onsale.

 

The flexible petrol pipe from the fuel tank on my classic Mini started leaking this year for no apparent reason, maybe why?

The new replacement fuel pipe was marked as being suitable for all the latest fuels.

[HarrysMini]

I've done some more reading into this, and Shell V-Power has 0-5% ethanol content. Just for anyone interested. 

[Midas Mk1]

 

I'll continue using Shell V-Power I think. 

 

Waste of money unless your car is tuned to run at that fuel rating.

 

By tuned, i mean engine designed to run on that fuel.....not just setting the mixture.

 

 Well on the cars that haven't been setup with it, I get better mpg with it on my MPi (runs smoother too), aswell as usually 8 more mpg in my diesel ZS fiesta..

Well worth it imo. (V Power)

Edited by Midas Mk1, 12 October 2014 - 05:59 PM.

[some1158]

 

"Due to be launched later this year it will be available at the pump alongside standard petrol and other green fuels"

 

Article is dated 12 Mar 2013 so should already be onsale.

 

The flexible petrol pipe from the fuel tank on my classic Mini started leaking this year for no apparent reason, maybe why?

The new replacement fuel pipe was marked as being suitable for all the latest fuels.

 

 

I think it still hasn't been introduced here - see http://www.smmt.co.u...lity-directive/

 

In any case E10 pumps should be labelled as such. The SMMT page says that a 'legacy' grade of E5 will remain available for cars that cannot run E10.  Presumably this will be super unleaded, and therefore more expensive...