Will current petrol damage our (old) cars? (Ethanol)

The Oily Bits S1 Specific Topics
1

I read on the Ferrari board about an owner in the US whose old Ferrari was damaged by ethanol, so I looked into it and found that UK petrol now has ethanol too.

http://www.groups.tr-register.co.uk/wessex/ethanol-update.html

http://www.frost.co.uk/protect-your-vehicle-against-ethanol

Does anyone know whether our old cars (i.e. S1) will be damaged by it?

2

S1 Exiges will be fine with fuel containing up to 5% ethanol (E5). At this level the pumps do not have to be labelled to show that the fuel contains ethanol, however E10 ( I.e. 10% ethanol content) is being introduced here and on the Continent but in this case the pumps must be clearly labelled to show the ethanol content.

The ethanol is hygroscopic and this causes many of the problems although it is known to attack some plastics and soft metal components used in Pre2000 motor cars. If left in a static tank the fuel will absorb moisture and separate in the tank which could cause problems once you start the engine and try to run it on water. So don’t brim the tank if it is not a daily driver.

I’m sure this topic has been discussed on here before and I’m not aware of any problems with S1s so far.

Also, have a read through this thread on TLF for some more background.

Found it… http://www.exiges.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15921&hilit=Ethanol

3

Thank you for the insight and links :slight_smile:

4

Thought your car was Honda’d?

5

Yes it is :slight_smile: A relevant fact for sure! Admittedly, I was thinking just as much about the entire fuel line, from filler to filter. All of that will be standard, particularly the tank.

Good point though, and again I don’t know the answer regarding the Honda engine’s ability to cope with ethanol either.

6

Bugger. Duplicated so, original cleaned out.

7

There is one story of fuel containing ethanol that actually ‘melted’ the ‘plastic’ petrol tanks fitted to a range of Japanese bikes. So, yes, it is the entire fuel system that is at risk, particularly where any plastics and soft metals are used (such as fibre washers in Italian carbs…). That is the reason that the ethanol is added as the tanker is filled - they don’t want any of it in their normal ‘blending’ apparatus for fear of damage to valves etc.

I don’t know about the Honda S unit but Toyota have modified their warranties on the 3.5 V6 (as fitted to the Evora) in countries where the ethanol content of fuel is 15% or more - quite simply, the warranty does not cover the engine.

See here for more from Honda http://engines.honda.com/parts-and-support/fuel-recommendations#e85

…and here for Toyota Warranties Void on Cars Burning E15 - Consumer Reports

8

Thanks Mike. That is bad news for all enthusiast motorists :frowning: