Ethanol in fuel

Ethanol in fuel

Author
Discussion

bluezeeland

Original Poster:

1,965 posts

158 months

Thursday 19th April 2012
quotequote all
Should I use an additive to 'combat' ethanol content in fuel, this question is bugging me for a bit.

The fuel tank is new alu, the flexes are recent, so suppose ethanol resistant, the heads are leaded, so using a lead-addi, but what about carb-internals, engine and performance overal ?

I'm on the continent, so suppose the (EU)goverment directives differ slightly for the British ones

One little thing, I do not believe that the fuel of oil companies differ (been to long in that business to believe fairy-tales)

What are the views/ideas of you guys ?

Seabass

193 posts

198 months

Thursday 19th April 2012
quotequote all
Additives in modern fuels are certainly contributing to the early failure of rubber and plastic components in older engines. In particular fuel hoses should be regularly checked.

There is a very interesting thread here about grades of hose.

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/9/viewthread...

GinG15

501 posts

170 months

Thursday 19th April 2012
quotequote all
rumors say that 2-stroke oil added to the fuel like an addhitive will compensate the ehtanol issues.

bluezeeland

Original Poster:

1,965 posts

158 months

Friday 20th April 2012
quotequote all
thanks you replies

Indeed the issues with the hoses creep up now and again, apparently if a hose is bend to reach a union, and the internals (these fluor-thingy stuff) gets overstretched, then the hose fails after a while
Having said that the hoses are an 'easy' check, I'm more concerned with the 'hidden' parts such as carb internals, head gasket, piston/rings and the performance as a whole
This fuel addi for ethanol is quite expensive, and while not doing a great deal of miles, it still adds up(and not sure if there is any gain/advantage)

bluezeeland

Original Poster:

1,965 posts

158 months

Sunday 22nd April 2012
quotequote all
Upon checking the hoses turned out to be unmarked Gates(other than 'multifuel'), now wondering what grade they are, will keep an eye on them and replace with proper stuff when things go wrong.
When repacking carb i did not find any signs of fuel related problems, so logic dictates this is a non issue, and engine (like pistonrings etc) should be Ok, as this is the location the fuel (and ethanol) is turned into noise.
Could I safely assume as long as the hoses are 'ethanol-resistant' the use of ethanol combating fuel additives is not necessary ?

foxdog

156 posts

241 months

Sunday 22nd April 2012
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I have just got this newsletter from frost.co.uk hope it helps

Ethomix is given the green light!


Greetings!


Frost is proud to inform you that our Ethomix (Z555) is now endorsed by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) as a fuel additive for protection against corrosion in metals.


Due to the addition of Ethanol in petrol, it is essential to use a corrosion addictive for nearly all pre 1996 engines. Ethomix is formulated to prevent corrosion in fuel systems and internal engine components, gum and resin build-up, clogged carburettors, injectors, filters and fuel lines, plus aggravation of water and moisture problems in fuel storage or unused vehicle situations. Click here..







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Protect Your Vehicle Against Harmful Impact of Ethanol Blended Petrol

Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colourless liquid. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a solvent and as an alcohol fuel, however, we can also found a permitted ethanol content in our petrol (about 5%-10%).


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