Ethanol in Petrol

[Graham]

I'm not sure whats happening back in blighty with Petrol (apart from still be very expensive!) but in the US theyre going Ethanol crazy.

 

Nearly all petrol now has up to 10% Ethanol content, is this bad for my car - I read somewhere that it causes problems when the car is not driven regularly?

 

Can anybody shed light on this? my 911chip is set up for 93RON (US standard) so not sure whether I should get it altered?

 

Thanks

 

Graham

[Dr_Danger]

Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and Methanol (methyl alcohol aka wood alcohol) can be used to fuel internal combustion motor vehicles, either as sole fuels or, more usually, when mixed with petrol (gasoline).

Most contemporary petrol cars will run on E10, a 10% mixture of ethanol to petrol, although warranties may state that a mix of 5% is the maximum allowed. Many major car manufacturers have developed cars which run on fuels containing higher proportions of alcohol, typically E85. Ethanol has some properties which are different from petrol; for example, in car engines, it has a higher octane rating, is more corrosive and abrasive, cleans the old deposits away (hence fuel filters, in converted vehicles, may need changing after a short time, initially), may create minor flow problems and can make starting more difficult. The national distribution network will also require modifications to some of its components, mainly because of the corrosive properties of alcohol and its ability to mix with water.

In the UK, in 2005, tax concessions for ethanol encouraged a minor shift and a 5% ethanol mixture entered the retail market. A firm called Greenenergy pioneered this and Tesco have been reported as the retailers (mainly in SE England), the ethanol source being Brazilian sugar cane. The real motivation may be cost (although the reduction in price to the UK customer is small) but even so that is no bad thing. In 2006 another supermarket, Morrisons, started selling E85 bio-ethanol in East Anglia. The 5% mix can be used in most petrol vehicles but the 85% mix is limited to a very small number of current vehicles. It is hoped that the trend continues with a significant expansion of the use of bio-ethanol in the UK, and other sources will be created, prodded by expected government policies. These are needed if vehicle manufacturers are to be tempted and oil companies are to be 'persuaded'. Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and Methanol (methyl alcohol aka wood alcohol) can be used to fuel internal combustion motor vehicles, either as sole fuels or, more usually, when mixed with petrol (gasoline). As a warning, in case you think these alcohols are a cheap way of fuelling your cocktail cabinet, note that this ethanol is of a dangerously high proof and contains additives which make it poisonous (it is referred to as denatured alcohol). Methanol is well known to be a dangerous poison in its own right.

Most contemporary petrol cars will run on E10, a 10% mixture of ethanol to petrol, although warranties may state that a mix of 5% is the maximum allowed. Many major car manufacturers have developed cars which run on fuels containing higher proportions of alcohol, typically E85. Ethanol has some properties which are different from petrol; for example, in car engines, it has a higher octane rating, is more corrosive and abrasive, cleans the old deposits away (hence fuel filters, in converted vehicles, may need changing after a short time, initially), may create minor flow problems and can make starting more difficult. The national distribution network will also require modifications to some of its components, mainly because of the corrosive properties of alcohol and its ability to mix with water.

In the UK, in 2005, tax concessions for ethanol encouraged a minor shift and a 5% ethanol mixture entered the retail market. A firm called Greenenergy pioneered this and Tesco have been reported as the retailers (mainly in SE England), the ethanol source being Brazilian sugar cane. The real motivation may be cost (although the reduction in price to the UK customer is small) but even so that is no bad thing. In 2006 another supermarket, Morrisons, started selling E85 bio-ethanol in East Anglia. The 5% mix can be used in most petrol vehicles but the 85% mix is limited to a very small number of current vehicles. It is hoped that the trend continues with a significant expansion of the use of bio-ethanol in the UK, and other sources will be created, prodded by expected government policies. These are needed if vehicle manufacturers are to be tempted and oil companies are to be 'persuaded'.

 

There is no evidence that such fuel is in any way better and greener then the normal fuel but it is cheaper to produce!

 

Official statement :

" The ratio of the mixture makes a difference to the pollution potential. In general when alcohol is added there appear to be less carbon monoxide and other toxins but there are greater emission of VOCs (see above): localised pollution is not only about carbon emissions.

 

On balance we do believe that the optimum mixture will be slightly greener at the point of exhaust."

[semprini27]

The Tesco stuff is rated at 99 RON and is like rocket fuel - better than Optimax IMHO - not tried the new V-Power stuff yet...

[johndglynn]

The Tesco stuff is rated at 99 RON and is like rocket fuel - better than Optimax IMHO - not tried the new V-Power stuff yet...

99 in some places and 97 in others. I have been using Tesco 97 lately and definitely sharper throttle response. Am back on 95 at the minute, from the local Shell garage at 89p a litre.

[jevvy]

89p - thats superb

 

I'm loving the new pertol prices, might use some extra this week to celebrate!