Petrol (Gasoline) Issue for Classic Cars

[bcmc33]

I've just received this information which I think could be a serious issue for us Lotus people:

http://www.rtadedicatedhosting.co.uk/ho ... /email.htm

The basic information was known to me, but the potential adverse side affects were not.

I guess this is the basis for some discussion - informed or otherwise.

[peterako]

Eeek!

Peter

[bcmc33]

My thoughts, exactly!

I'm actually hoping that there is someone out there with sufficient knowledge to say that its all b@ll@cks.

[Frank Howard]

I think someone is trying to sell some fuel additives.

[richardcox_lotus]

If it's true......then surely it's only a risk of the car is left standing for long periods. The answer therefore, is to drive it

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

My thoughts, exactly!

I'm actually hoping that there is someone out there with sufficient knowledge to say that its all b@ll@cks.

I don't have "sufficient knowledge" but will happily go down the "it's all b@ll?cks" route
John

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

I think someone is trying to sell some fuel additives.

Yup

[terryp]

And surely if you leave your Lotus for 6 months , a bit of water in the tank will be the least of your worries!

[gherlt]

Hi,
here in Germany all gasoline variants (91, 95 and 98 octane) are "E5" (5% ethanol mixed with 95% gasoline). This is about to be rised to "Esomething" (from 6 to 10%), while they are still discussing if mixing ethanol based on crops makes sense). If this is should happen and if you are not sure about your fuel lines, gaskets or o-rings (if they are ethanol resistant materials), you should stick to 98 octane "Super Plus", which seems to be kept as E5 (5% Ethanol).

regards

[steveww]

I only use 98 octane in the Lotus, unless it is an emergency.

As far as driving the Lotus through the winter. Which is worse: corrosion from the road salt or the petrol going off?

[Robbie693]

Well I never knew we had different fuels for different times of the year!

Why is the ethanol added anyway?

[bcmc33]

Ethanol is added as a political sop to the green lobby.

[robertverhey]

Well I won't buy into that, but even in mild old Sydney we have summer and winter grades of petrol in the bowsers (depending on season). Not widely known.

Robert

[cabc26b]

We grow enough corn here where it beenin the gas for a long time. here is an except from the FAA/EAA that delinates its not allowed/recomended in airplanes.

Actual engine runs and in-flight testing studies by EAA, Cessna, and the FAA have shown that using 10% or 15% ethanol-blended gasoline is harmful to aircraft fuel systems.
o
Entire fuel systems are harmed as ethanol is a collector of water and other fuel contaminates ? which, in turn, forms an acid that affects all types of components, attacking rubber and composite components, fuel hoses, fuel pumps, and fuel filters.
o
Ethanol-blended gasoline causes three primary concerns:

Adversely affects volatility of the fuel, leading to vapor lock;

Ethanol is not compatible with rubber seals and other aircraft fuel system components; and

Ethanol tends to develop ?phase separation? as the aircraft climbs, the resulting water (that was held by the ethanol) could overwhelm fuel filters/sediment bowls.
?
f

[bcmc33]

I am reminded of the affect of ethanol as a fuel for cars. Sometime in the 80?s Ford & VW had a joint venture in Brazil assembling KD cars using mailny existing standard European parts from Ford & VW. One day there was a major panic as the cars in Brazil were progressively breaking down due to fuel starvation. The cause was put down to blockages in the fuel lines. The fuel lines were made from standard Ford supplied Bundy tube that was severely affected by the ?sticky? E100 fuel (100% ethanol) used in Brazil. The panic was to get plastic fuel lines tooled-up and in production. I cannot remember the actual plastic material that was used as being unaffected by the E100 fuel, but all vehicles had to be recalled for new lines to be fitted.

Now as I understand, petrol in the UK will be going up to 10% ethanol (E10) in the near future ? does this mean that the ?problem? will double?