Ever wondered how much Ethanol is in your fuel?
Ever wondered how much Ethanol is in your fuel?
Author
Discussion

Andyuk911

Original Poster:

1,979 posts

239 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
This guy has run a bunch of tests on the Ethanol content of fuels.

https://youtu.be/wgJ0VRctlz8 - see some of his older videos, also has an octane tester, but that only works with pure petrol.

A couple of points:-

1. Ethanol has a lower calorific value, than pure petrol
2. Lawnmowers and older cars can't use it as it will damage their carb/fuel systems etc. - (I use Aspen fuel for my lawnmower)

Most, but not all Super unleaded fuels have zero Ethanol, however, Esso (Synergy 99+) was the only one to state it had none, but this will change from next month, the guarantee of zero Ethanol.

All pumps must be labeled E5 or E10, however, that does not reflect the actual Ethanol content.

Typically switching to super unleaded(99), most will see an improvement in MPG and power(advancing ignition until knock), let alone the other benefits of these fuels.

Just my thoughts smile



JakeT

6,002 posts

150 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
I’ve run super in my cars for a while as the increased fuel economy makes it worthwhile to, most of the time. In my older car, even though it has knock sensing, I run super as it often sits for some time. It is E10 compatible though.

For the mower, and two stroke garden stuff I just use whatever, and empty them out before storing for winter. I can’t be arsed paying more for super for them, and will move to electric garden tools when mine are worn out.

Andyuk911

Original Poster:

1,979 posts

239 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
JakeT said:
I’ve run super in my cars for a while as the increased fuel economy makes it worthwhile to, most of the time. In my older car, even though it has knock sensing, I run super as it often sits for some time. It is E10 compatible though.

For the mower, and two stroke garden stuff I just use whatever, and empty them out before storing for winter. I can’t be arsed paying more for super for them, and will move to electric garden tools when mine are worn out.
I think I would avoid ethanol fuel in your mower, even if you drain it out for winter ....

Bryanwww

397 posts

169 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
Even on my 125 and 300cc motorbikes switching to super without ethanol was noticeable even though they both were meant to be using 95, throttle response was sharper and overall felt like the engine was running more smoothly.


CoolHands

23,548 posts

225 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
Interesting

kambites

71,550 posts

251 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
Andyuk911 said:
All pumps must be labeled E5 or E10, however, that does not reflect the actual Ethanol content.
The whole point of the E5/E10 rating is that it's the maximum ethanol content the fuel is allowed to contain and I'd damned well hope it's accurate!

Ethanol content seems to have no noticeable effect on either of ours cars. The VAG TFSI lump on our Skoda certainly benefits from a higher knock rating, enough that it's cheaper to run it on 97RON than 95, but the difference between 5% and 0% doesn't seem to be significant. The Lotus runs identically on any type of petrol I've ever put in it.

Edited by kambites on Monday 14th August 15:07

Andyuk911

Original Poster:

1,979 posts

239 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
kambites said:
The whole point of the E5/E10 rating is that it's the maximum ethanol content the fuel is allowed to contain and I'd damned well hope it's accurate!
Ha ha, yes it is up to ... not more smile

eliot

11,995 posts

284 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
I think there's two ethanol content threads running.

Krikkit

27,938 posts

211 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
eliot said:
I think there's two ethanol content threads running.
Yep, and we still need more apparently, despite it being a non-issue for 99.9% of engines. Even most mowers have had ethanol-compatible components for decades.

motco

17,644 posts

276 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
Andyuk911 said:
JakeT said:
I’ve run super in my cars for a while as the increased fuel economy makes it worthwhile to, most of the time. In my older car, even though it has knock sensing, I run super as it often sits for some time. It is E10 compatible though.

For the mower, and two stroke garden stuff I just use whatever, and empty them out before storing for winter. I can’t be arsed paying more for super for them, and will move to electric garden tools when mine are worn out.
I think I would avoid ethanol fuel in your mower, even if you drain it out for winter ....
The fuel line in my petrol strimmer fell apart when I forgot to drain the petrol/oil mixture out over winter. Ethanol I daresay.

Andyuk911

Original Poster:

1,979 posts

239 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
eliot said:
I think there's two ethanol content threads running.
Ops, my bad, I should have checked - Thanks

Andyuk911

Original Poster:

1,979 posts

239 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
Yep, and we still need more apparently, despite it being a non-issue for 99.9% of engines. Even most mowers have had ethanol-compatible components for decades.
Mowers ... Oh, news to me .... But then my Honda mower is still going strong since 2001 biglaugh

markymarkthree

3,661 posts

201 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
[quote=Andyuk911]

Most, but not all Super unleaded fuels have zero Ethanol, however, Esso (Synergy 99+) was the only one to state it had none, but this will change from next month, the guarantee of zero Ethanol.






My understanding is, that ALL super-fuel has ethanol in it, with the exception of ESSO. Who will have by the end of Sept.

Krikkit

27,938 posts

211 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
Andyuk911 said:
Krikkit said:
Yep, and we still need more apparently, despite it being a non-issue for 99.9% of engines. Even most mowers have had ethanol-compatible components for decades.
Mowers ... Oh, news to me .... But then my Honda mower is still going strong since 2001 biglaugh
Another happy Honda owner, it's been happy on E10 for ages, and the manual says it'll run on E20 happily.

motco said:
The fuel line in my petrol strimmer fell apart when I forgot to drain the petrol/oil mixture out over winter. Ethanol I daresay.
Probably, and cheap/old line. Stick some fresh on and away you'll be.

motco

17,644 posts

276 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
Andyuk911 said:
Krikkit said:
Yep, and we still need more apparently, despite it being a non-issue for 99.9% of engines. Even most mowers have had ethanol-compatible components for decades.
Mowers ... Oh, news to me .... But then my Honda mower is still going strong since 2001 biglaugh
Another happy Honda owner, it's been happy on E10 for ages, and the manual says it'll run on E20 happily.

motco said:
The fuel line in my petrol strimmer fell apart when I forgot to drain the petrol/oil mixture out over winter. Ethanol I daresay.
Probably, and cheap/old line. Stick some fresh on and away you'll be.
Yep! Exactly!

Tyre Tread

10,688 posts

246 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
Andyuk911 said:
Krikkit said:
Yep, and we still need more apparently, despite it being a non-issue for 99.9% of engines. Even most mowers have had ethanol-compatible components for decades.
Mowers ... Oh, news to me .... But then my Honda mower is still going strong since 2001 biglaugh
Another happy Honda owner, it's been happy on E10 for ages, and the manual says it'll run on E20 happily.

motco said:
My 20+ year old Honda Izy mower will run on it but the Hygroscopic nature of the fuel meant that last winter a small ball of water formed and a small rust patch formed which clogged up the carb idle jet and meant it needed a new carb. I will be draining the float bowl each winter now.

Andyuk911

Original Poster:

1,979 posts

239 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
Tyre Tread said:
Krikkit said:
Andyuk911 said:
Krikkit said:
Yep, and we still need more apparently, despite it being a non-issue for 99.9% of engines. Even most mowers have had ethanol-compatible components for decades.
Mowers ... Oh, news to me .... But then my Honda mower is still going strong since 2001 biglaugh
Another happy Honda owner, it's been happy on E10 for ages, and the manual says it'll run on E20 happily.

motco said:
My 20+ year old Honda Izy mower will run on it but the Hygroscopic nature of the fuel meant that last winter a small ball of water formed and a small rust patch formed which clogged up the carb idle jet and meant it needed a new carb. I will be draining the float bowl each winter now.
Correction my Honda mower is 1998, so no ethanol bandit


Yahonza

4,110 posts

60 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
Doesn't all the ethanol evaporate? Just asking.

Leins

10,469 posts

178 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
This is a bit of a nightmare for us here in Rep of Ireland, as our government taxed Super Unleaded out of existence many years ago, and has now deemed all petrol to be E10 going forwards. Interestingly the government signage at some petrol stations claims there are no ill effects, although online they point to the UK’s published list of non-compliant cars

As I’m potentially purchasing a non-E10 compliant car next year which will need to ideally run on a minimum of 97 octane fuel, I need to find a joint solution. I’ve yet to confirm if an ethanol protector supplement can be run with an octane booster, and there doesn’t seem to be a fuel additive that does both

500TORQUES

13,761 posts

45 months