LagondaNet

[Lagondanet]

I have been sent the following email. I don't know about the issue but you might like to comment.

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There is an issue rearing its' (very) ugly head and it is not going to go
away.

This is the introduction of Ethanol into the fuel blends that we use -
currently 5% or so and not injurious to the vast majority of cars but by
2013 in the UK it will rise to 10% and this will cause very many problems
for older cars amongst which we can include the Lagonda.

I have had a car picked up by French customer who says they already have
this fuel over there (E10 is the grade) and it wreaks havoc with the entire
fuel system from tank to carburettors, he says it has even been known to
attack certain carburettor bodies but NOT necessarily Webbers.

A very big issue is if the E10 fuel is left standing in the tank and system
for any length of time -and we all know the relevance of this to typical
Lagonda usage.

There are additives coming onto the market and no doubt something will be
developed to accommodate it but the main reason for writing to you now about
this is to perhaps warn any that are travelling to France to be sure to use
98 Octane fuel, not because of the octane rating but because it has a lesser
Ethanol content.

Also, it may be good advice to return over the channel empty and fill up in
the UK as for many cars, it could be that the September trip may be the last
major use before winter lay up

Apparently, some, if not all pumps dispensing E10 fuel have a warning on,
"Not to be used in cars prior to 2000".

The FBHVC have been looking into this in considerable depth and there is a
big article about it in the Jaguar Enthusiast Magazine, for those who are
members and maybe the AMOC will be doing the same thing.

You can pass this on to whoever you want if you wish - it is the briefest of
summaries but will hopefully serve to raise awareness of a situation that
will not become dire or cause the end of the world as we know it but may
cause the end of someone's bank account if caught unawares.

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[Lagondanet]

Comment on the AMOC forum from US member

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Methanol has become somewhat of a hobby for me since it's a such an interesting subject that's intertwined with technology, politics, land use, misinformation, and entrenched beliefs.

The automobile engineering university, Kettering in Flint, Michigan, did a study on older cars and the effects of 10% ethanol (E10). It was funded by Hagerty Insurance who insures many collector cars. They found there was some minor degration of the softer parts of the fuel system such as seals, gaskets, etc. The newer your car the less likely E10 fuel will attack it since they started using components that were less prone to attack in the mid 90's.

Ethanol is very water-attracting and will pick up any water in your tank, and can loosen and bring along with that water, any gunk in your tank and deposit it downstream in your fuel system.

Any fiberglass is very subject to attack and ethanol should not be used if you have any of that (aftermarket tanks?) in your fuel system.

Ethanol is said to have a stable life of 3 months which is shorter than gasoline without ethanol. A stabilizer can be added to extend ethanol's life.

The higher the percentage of ethanol the stronger your components of your fuel system must be against its ability to corrode and weaken. You will sometimes see GM cars with FlexFuel or E85 badges. These cars and trucks have had their fuel delivery systems beefed up to handle fuel with up to 85% ethanol.

The Kettering study on older cars and their ability to run ethanol was only done on concentrations up to 10%, and were they were wary of approving the use of any higher concentrations in older cars. During last November's US elections some politicians from corn producing states pressured the Environmental Protection Agency to approve E15 despite known risks. This was done in the vain attempt to curry favor from their constituents, and to keep from having their asses handed to them at the voting box. It didn't work, their party was handed a major defeat, but E15 has been approved, and may start showing up despite likely problems especially in older cars.

Also, ethanol only has about 2/3 the energy content of gasoline and your mileage will drop proportionately depending how much ethanol is in your fuel. E10 fuel should have about a 3% drop in mileage.


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