More ethanol in (unmarked) pump fuel

[AndrewG]

Increasing the level of ethanol permitted (and required) in pump fuel from 5% to 15% will affect older vehicles as much as the change from unleaded to leaded, it says here:

PistonHeads - Biofuel timebomb

As Jim already has that situation in the US, he will no doubt be able to advise on its real impact.

[Daniel Rodd]

the only real problem i can see is with the ethanol eating fuel pump membranes and hose on older cars,tho i think most miicros are gravity fed so just make sure you have ethanol proof fuel lines

[Jim Janecek]

As Jim already has that situation in the US, he will no doubt be able to advise on its real impact.

no negative impact that I am aware of.

 

Oh wait, it might affect your gas milage...slightly.

[Big Al]

It is a con. It is a rise in fuel tax and a move to lower imports by diluting the oil content with locally produced alcohol which has less calorific value. The problem for gravity feed and air cooled vehicles is that more of the fuel is now volatile and vaporisation will be worse where it is a problem already and may now occur where it was not previously exhibited. No one has told us what the inclusion does for lead additives and valves. It is expected that two strokes will exhibit oil seal failures over time. Yes your fuel pipes etc will be suspect. Add up the facts and it is not an especially green policy and is motivated by money and assumed green credentials that probably do not exist in any real analysis, just as battery cars fail to in reality - been over that one already and yes they work out in urban areas.

[Bob Purton]

Agreed and its funny how an awful lot of peoples fuel tank liners have disintegrated in the last few months!

[Big Al]

Been reminded that Ethanol is also very useful for desolving Mazzac castings. So what, you say, as you studiously avoid dropping your door handle into the filler of your fuel tank! Sadly carburettors are made of Mazzac type alloys and will desolve over time. Of course nigh on all moderns are now fuel injected with few rubber parts. So designed obsolescence by stealth to remove the solidly built older cars that refuse to die forcing you to buy new crap with tax on the privalage of damaging your possessions and the expectation of employment of a car worker and more tax when you buy that crap replacement car. Green policy or fiscal twisting?