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VK2TV > FUEL 05.03.08 09:25l 56 Lines 2358 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 35393_VK2TV
Read: GUEST
Subj: Re: Ethanol Issuies
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DB0SIF<DB0MRW<DK0WUE<F4BWT<F6KBI<F5GOV<CX2SA<WA7V<
KD4YAL<VK2TV
Sent: 080305/0705Z @:VK2TV.#MNC.NSW.AUS.OC #:33492 [Kempsey, QF68JX] $:35393_VK
From: VK2TV@VK2TV.#MNC.NSW.AUS.OC
To : FUEL@WW
# Generated by: TstHWin v2.21b - Registered to VK2TV
# On : 3/5/2008 18:05:44
# UTC: 3/5/2008 7:05:44 A
>From: VK6BE@VK2TV.#MNC.NSW.AUS.OC
>To : FUEL@WW
>
>
>got the predictions wrong! Ethanol is also added to the petrol in many
>pumps in Australia with no apparent harm to tanks or engines. I don't know
As an unqualified statement you are incorrect.
Ethanol is hygroscopic and can cause serious corrosion problems to fuel
system components, depending on the percentage of Ethanol in the blend and
the materials used for the fuel system, and whether corrosion inhibitors
have been added to the fuel. The latter seems to be the case with Australian
produced Ethanol. You are refered to this government site for information ...
http://www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/fuelquality/publications/pubs/submi
ssion-rfa.pdf
Pre-1986 cars in Australia are generally considered unsatisfactory for
E10 fuel. Australia has standardised on E10, a 10 percent Ethanol component.
Some European car manufacturers specify no more than E5. In countries where
much higher blends are used, e.g. Mexico, Brazil, fuel systems are often
made from stainless steel to minimise corrosion problems.
If fuel suppliers can be believed, E10 offers a slightly higher octane
rating than ULP (94 vs 91). I've been running E10 for about two years in my
3.9l V6 Commodore with no noticeable change in performance or fuel
economy, and I will continue to use it.
Changes in any fuel may affect a minority of users adversely. A classic
example is when low Sulphur diesel was introduced some years back to reduce
pollution. The Sulphur had acted as a lubricant for seals in the injector pump,
and suddenly there were lots of pump failures as seals hardened up, especially
with rotary pumps. In-line pumps were less affected to a significant degree.
Presumeably, newer cars will be manufactured to cope with changing fuel
specs so that problems will be eliminated ot minimised. As for older cars,
it falls squarely on the owner's shoulders to find a solution. Many older
cars have difficulty with ULP. Lead Replacement petrol (LRP) was available,
but not any more. Users of cars that can't run on ULP have to supply fuel
additives. Maybe that's a back door method of pricing them off the road,
says cynical me.
Cheers ... Ray vk2tv
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