New petrol warning!

[scallyally]

Britain has signed up to an E U directive which means that suppliers must dilute petrol with "environmentally-friendly" alternatives (ethanol)

This new petrol is to be called E10 and will be available later this year.

It is NOT repeat NOT suitable for engines older than 10 years as it could damage components.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

[Kemlo]

http://www.groups.tr-register.co.uk/wes ... pdate.html

It's from a Triumph Website - but it makes interesting reading nonetheless.

[Andyboy]

This has been dragging on for a while now. Looks like Total are worth switching to, as well as using Super Unleaded that I believe (could be wrong) is ethanol free. I found in my E36 that the car is more economical on super anyway.

I wonder if an E36 plastic tank can be made to fit an E30?

[Brianmoooore]

Britain has signed up to an E U directive which means that suppliers must dilute petrol with "environmentally-friendly" alternatives (ethanol)

This new petrol is to be called E10 and will be available later this year.

It is NOT repeat NOT suitable for engines older than 10 years as it could damage components.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

There's nothing to worry about for E30 owners! The only slight effect for us will be a tendency for a bit more condensation in the (metal) fuel tank dissolving in the fuel, but a) The E30 fuel tank is semi sealed from the atmosphere, so doesn't suffer much from internal condensation, and b) E30 tanks normally rust from the outside inwards.
No doubt there'll soon be plenty of bottles of magic liquids on the market to cure a largely non existent problem, just like there was when leaded petrol was withdrawn.

[DanThe]

Is there not a petition or something? Facebook scare tactics? Maybe the pm would pull some strings if he had 10 million motorists votes for getting rid of this stupidity

[Demlotcrew]

Britain has signed up to an E U directive which means that suppliers must dilute petrol with "environmentally-friendly" alternatives (ethanol)

This new petrol is to be called E10 and will be available later this year.

It is NOT repeat NOT suitable for engines older than 10 years as it could damage components.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

There's nothing to worry about for E30 owners! The only slight effect for us will be a tendency for a bit more condensation in the (metal) fuel tank dissolving in the fuel, but a) The E30 fuel tank is semi sealed from the atmosphere, so doesn't suffer much from internal condensation, and b) E30 tanks normally rust from the outside inwards.
No doubt there'll soon be plenty of bottles of magic liquids on the market to cure a largely non existent problem, just like there was when leaded petrol was withdrawn.

My thoughts exactly.

[mark_i]

hmmm... we've had E10 in Oz for 2 years now... no dramas to report from the 325i nor the 318iS. I had a look at the fuel pump sender last month, no deposits nor corrosion...so far

[scallyally]

What about higher fuel consumtion, motorists' can expect higher cost (an average £80/year) Todays Telegraph.

[mark_i]

no massive difference... OBC and back of fag packet show similar consumption

[Mikey_Boy]

All a load of tosh - nothing to worry about for E30 owners.

Petrol that you can buy today already has 5% Ethanol in it - that's been in the regulations for donkey's years - no issues in use and no doubt no one knew about it up until now, right?

The increase in ethanol is to satisfy biofuel mandates across the EU - petrol is getting something to think about because diesel can't cope with FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters -bio-diesel to you and me) beyond 7% for a variety of reasons.

Ethanol at small concentrations in petrol is actually a pretty good thing - cheap, sustainable (from sugar cane), great quality and an excellent octane number as well (130) - I very much doubt the increase in concentration will have any impact on fuel economy as the overall heating value of the fuel won't change a bit. As for issues in use, most OEMs are covered right now and most of their legacy fleet (up to 25 years) is also covered - I recall reading somewhere that BMW put out a statement to address any questions?

Bottom line - keep buying the best quality fuel you can afford and don't lose any sleep over this.

You might have guessed - I work in the oil industry...

[mark_i]

interesting to report that E10 works in the M42 with no pinging thanks to the octane number...

[scallyally]

Thanks Mikey_Boy, so it's all press hype, Don't panic, Don't panic.

[Mikey_Boy]

Yep - gotta love the media lately...!

Did you hear the shizzle going around on the TV with the snow down south? They were using words like 'disastrous' and 'apocalyptic'... For fooks sake - it was just a bit of snow!

[Kemlo]

All a load of tosh - nothing to worry about for E30 owners.

Petrol that you can buy today already has 5% Ethanol in it - that's been in the regulations for donkey's years - no issues in use and no doubt no one knew about it up until now, right?

The increase in ethanol is to satisfy biofuel mandates across the EU - petrol is getting something to think about because diesel can't cope with FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters -bio-diesel to you and me) beyond 7% for a variety of reasons.

Ethanol at small concentrations in petrol is actually a pretty good thing - cheap, sustainable (from sugar cane), great quality and an excellent octane number as well (130) - I very much doubt the increase in concentration will have any impact on fuel economy as the overall heating value of the fuel won't change a bit. As for issues in use, most OEMs are covered right now and most of their legacy fleet (up to 25 years) is also covered - I recall reading somewhere that BMW put out a statement to address any questions?

Bottom line - keep buying the best quality fuel you can afford and don't lose any sleep over this.

You might have guessed - I work in the oil industry...

Cheers, that and other comments on here from people that know a bit about our cars has put my mind at ease.

[DanThe]

We know the bio diesel shags most derv burners, build up of fat/water I believe? So why is it ok for petrol, surely it still contains fats?

Is it true what the triumph letter says about petroleum companies dont add it until the last minute for fear of their equipment?

[Brianmoooore]

This isn't bio-diesel, it's ethanol - Vodka, pure alcohol. Doesn't contain fats, or burn to produce them, but does dissolve a considerable amount of water into it if given the chance.
If you're that worried, you can always go 100% LPG, and double the life of your engine!

[DanThe]

I know its not biodiesel, I meant that because it is a 'grown' fuel then maybe it contains similar nasties

LPG FTW, just taken delivery of my long awaited 108l toroidal

[capnmchl]

Despite the comments on here, I'm still a bit skeptical about it. There must be some worry for a reason.

I highly doubt it'll be like some people make it out to be, when after two weeks of using it, your fuel tank will be a colander and your fuel pipes will of disintegrated, but it may come to a point in 5 years or so when everyone on the zone starts needing a new fuel tank and pipes. However, it's hard to speculate, and only time will tell.

I would agree with petrol stations having to state the ethanol rating on fuel pumps, although it may come to the point in a few years where it's impossible to get anything less that 10% ethanol.

[Brianmoooore]

108 litres! that's quite a long range tank, but still short of my 140 litre 'holiday' tank arrangements on the E39.

[daimlerman]

108 litres! that's quite a long range tank, but still short of my 140 litre 'holiday' tank arrangements on the E39.

Tanker on the towbar?

[DanThe]

108 litres! that's quite a long range tank, but still short of my 140 litre 'holiday' tank arrangements on the E39.

Its the largest I could find that would fit in the spare wheel well, will need some chopping/hammering still but keeping the floor in the same place is what I was aiming for. The range wont be that impressive as it will be feeding an M62B44

[Brianmoooore]

108 litres! that's quite a long range tank, but still short of my 140 litre 'holiday' tank arrangements on the E39.

Tanker on the towbar?

80 litre tank mounted right over the axle in the caravan. Additional filler right at the front of the 'van A frame, a length of high pressure orange LPG hose with quick release connector from the A frame to a connector on the car tow bar, and a change over switch on the E39 dash that switches between the solenoid valve on the 60 litre tank in the car, and the 80 litre one in the 'van.

[retroboyo]

Brianmoooore drives a E39. Today the world seems like a darker place

[Brianmoooore]

E39 is the tow car. There's still plenty of E30s around the place as well!

[retroboyo]

As long as its only used for towing, I can live with that

[HairyScreech]

E10 is nothing to worry about, Very little overall effect.
Actually a benefit in terms of knock resistance.

Whole thing is a storm in a tea cup.

[harry_p]

haven't the mexcans been running ancient cars on ethanol for decades?

edit, it's the brazilians who have apparently been adding ethanol to petrol since 1976

[HairyScreech]

and E10 has been around for a loooooooooong time.
The Americans have been over this ground before and those that know what they are talking about say there's nothing to worry about.

[law99]

Damn. Thought there was a march coming on... Better put the pitch forks away

[HairyScreech]

https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3A ... 66&bih=667

There you go, more conflicting info than you can shake a burqa at.

[mcbonio]

I spent a lot of time in Brazil as a backpacker, they have a range of fuels available actually, including a few grades of Biodiesel, LPG, various grades of petrol and regular diesel and as someone here mentioned Ethanol or "Alcool" as they call it.

The 'grown' fuels were about 40% cheaper than regular diesel and petrol! But saying that the regular petrol over there costs only £2.10 a gallon...

My girlfriend at the time used to fill her pug up with the stuff, every now and then you'd get a bad batch and the car would run horribly.

I wonder how much e10 might cost, they would have to introduce it at a lower cost to regular petrol or who the fook would buy it?!

[Morat]

I think E10 will just replace unleaded and any cost saving will magically evaporate, call me a cynic.

[mark_i]

as i mentioned earlier... 2 years on and the M20 and M42 still running without issues, same fuel consumption... sparkplugs looking good

[mcbonio]

I think E10 will just replace unleaded and any cost saving will magically evaporate, call me a cynic.

Agreed, lets not forget we're living in rip off Britain for fooks sake, what the consumer might get a saving for once? Ha.!