Optimax extreme

[goulsbraa]

Shell in Australia have just released a new fuel with an octane rating of 100 which is good BUT it contains 5% ethanol.Does anyone know whether I can run it in my 930? There's been some debate over here about ethanol causing problems with rubber components in the fuel system.

[rumplestiltskin]

Tesco has just launched 99 RON Fuel in the UK which is 5% bioethanol (the same thing?)
Lets hope that the fuel has been tested thoroughly before thousands of motorists put it in their high performance cars !

[AJAX50]

The spec. of the Tesco stuff is 5% MAX. bioethanol, I suspect that currently it contains none.

[paulburrell]

Whats the problem with ethanol then?? Asks he nervously.

[verysideways]

rots rubber

[rumplestiltskin]

"The fuel contains a specially formulated mix of high quality petrol components, carefully blended to achieve 99 Octane. These typically include 5% bioethanol, a renewable but also high-octane product."

This makes out that the fuel usually contains 5% bioehanol rather than has a max of 5%, but it could just be the way I am reading it. Its pretty vague.

R.

[cerowe]

verysideways said:

rots rubber

Should I be worried? I've been using the Tesco 99 ron stuff since it came out

What rubber bits are there on a 964 between the fuel tank and exhaust that this stuff would rot. (sorry I'm totally ignorant when it comes to this)

>> Edited by cerowe on Wednesday 30th November 16:23

[verysideways]

no, i think that's why they only use 5%, because then it's "safe", don't worry, i'm using either optimax or tesco 99 in both my 993tt and my *volvo*

[sleep envy]

verysideways said:

no, i think that's why they only use 5%, because then it's "safe", don't worry, i'm using either optimax or tesco 99 in both my 993tt and my *volvo*

snigger

[AJAX50]

The rubber issue is only a problem in old cars, I think some TR6 fuelinjection systems suffer if ethanol is included, there are others. Of course you may have other more personal concerns with rubber which are probably outside the scope of this thread.
The problem with ethanol in gasoline blends is water pick-up. There is some water in all gasoloine storage systems (condensation etc.)at 5% the pick-up is quite small. The pick-up problems can be worse if there are ethers in the blend.
The specification Tesco use, as with all companies specifications, is designed to work in an engine as you expect, but give the blender maximum flexibility to optimise. Gasoline performance is not just a matter of RON many other aspects of specification are important to.
The Tesco stuff should be problem free.

[goulsbraa]

Ferrari and Lamborgini have said not to use it in any of their cars. Anyone care to comment on Italians and alchohol?