Petrol and ethanol
Posted: 31 Jan 2014 14:42
On the Morini mailing list recently, someone new to Morini ownership asked what type of petrol he should use, and a discussion followed about RON, ethanol content etc. Tony Kersbergen of the Morini Club Netherlands gave the following information which is informative and useful, and he's happy for me to requote it here:
There is a thread/investigation on ethanol in todays fuel on the Dutch Ducati forum. Aparantly oil companies have to mix a certain amount of ethanol through their petrol (or gas as the Yanks call it). There is a difference between adding "wet" ethanol and "dry" ethanol, but I forgot the exact details on this.
Highlights of this topic:
http://www.motomoriniclub.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?t=352
On the Ducati forum a test was held showing the petrols with most ethanol. This proved that BP Ultimate (98 octane) and Shell V-Power (97 octane) have the lowest amount of added ethanol. At least: this is in the Netherlands. Very well possible it is different in other countries.
A well informed magazine on classic vehicles (Auto Motor Klassiek), http://amklassiek.nl/ recently gave a warning about our most popular petrol:
"Euro 95". This 95 octane petrol was a so-called E5 fuel, which means it has a maximum of 5% added ethanol. Without any warning or notice, this 5% was increased to 10% as from this month. In fact this makes "Euro 95" an E10 fuel.
Most important: do not use E10 in older vehicles. In Germany there was a huge discussion 2 years ago. Even huge companies like GM or BMW could not give a decend advice in which models E10 could be used safely.
http://www.motomoriniclub.nl/cv/E10-a.jpg
The article reads (free translation):
.....forgotten is that early 2014 E5 petrol will no longer be available from the fuel stations. As the Eurocrats from Brussels have decided this. It will be the end of any classic vehicle, but also modern cars like Opel (GM), or BMW will be ruined. The British federation of historical automobil clubs (FBHVC) is in battle with the British government about this. We would like to know if E10 is also an issue for the Fehac (federation of Dutch clubs of historical vehicles)? We'll wait and see. Did you know, Euro 95 (E5) already contains 7 to 8% ethanol, instead of the previous 5%?
Anyway, what I have understood is that oilcompanies have to add a certain amount of ethanol (thanks Brussels!!), but decide themselves how much they add per type fuel. In case of BP and Shell, they probably have to add extra to the Euro 95 as they (so far) don't mix it Ultimate and V-Power.
I find it typical that this is not communicated by the oilcompanies. If indeed
E10 is dangerous to engines of classic vehicles and even to some modern vehicles, I am sure the customer should know this and should be offered an alternative.
My conclusion: I stick to BP Ultimate 98 RON, or if that is not available: Shell V-Power 97 RON.
In the owners manual of the 350 Morini, there is written on one line (which many easily overlook): fuel: 98-100 RON.
Of couse it is possible to ride on 95, or perhaps even on 91 RON, but you have to retard the ignition some 5 degrees and be aware of pinking of the engine, especially going uphill.
Finally (and then I'll shut up): the E10 petrol, (the ethanol) can damage unprotected fueltanks. Above 20 degrees Celcius, the ethanol vaporizes and damages steel, or polyester. Best is to protect the fueltank with an ethanol resistant sealer.
Very important: inside protection of polyester fueltanks and even metal tanks against the ethanol.
For an effective coating, it is important a) the coating is ethanol proof, b) the fueltank is first 'degreased' on the inside.
My painter used a fine 'grit' (like sand) to blast the inside. Only that way the coating will hold.
When a polyester fueltank shows big bubbles on the outside, under the paint it is difficult, but not impossible to repair it.
These bubbles are caused by the agressive ethanol.
Cheers, Tony
There is a thread/investigation on ethanol in todays fuel on the Dutch Ducati forum. Aparantly oil companies have to mix a certain amount of ethanol through their petrol (or gas as the Yanks call it). There is a difference between adding "wet" ethanol and "dry" ethanol, but I forgot the exact details on this.
Highlights of this topic:
http://www.motomoriniclub.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?t=352
On the Ducati forum a test was held showing the petrols with most ethanol. This proved that BP Ultimate (98 octane) and Shell V-Power (97 octane) have the lowest amount of added ethanol. At least: this is in the Netherlands. Very well possible it is different in other countries.
A well informed magazine on classic vehicles (Auto Motor Klassiek), http://amklassiek.nl/ recently gave a warning about our most popular petrol:
"Euro 95". This 95 octane petrol was a so-called E5 fuel, which means it has a maximum of 5% added ethanol. Without any warning or notice, this 5% was increased to 10% as from this month. In fact this makes "Euro 95" an E10 fuel.
Most important: do not use E10 in older vehicles. In Germany there was a huge discussion 2 years ago. Even huge companies like GM or BMW could not give a decend advice in which models E10 could be used safely.
http://www.motomoriniclub.nl/cv/E10-a.jpg
The article reads (free translation):
.....forgotten is that early 2014 E5 petrol will no longer be available from the fuel stations. As the Eurocrats from Brussels have decided this. It will be the end of any classic vehicle, but also modern cars like Opel (GM), or BMW will be ruined. The British federation of historical automobil clubs (FBHVC) is in battle with the British government about this. We would like to know if E10 is also an issue for the Fehac (federation of Dutch clubs of historical vehicles)? We'll wait and see. Did you know, Euro 95 (E5) already contains 7 to 8% ethanol, instead of the previous 5%?
Anyway, what I have understood is that oilcompanies have to add a certain amount of ethanol (thanks Brussels!!), but decide themselves how much they add per type fuel. In case of BP and Shell, they probably have to add extra to the Euro 95 as they (so far) don't mix it Ultimate and V-Power.
I find it typical that this is not communicated by the oilcompanies. If indeed
E10 is dangerous to engines of classic vehicles and even to some modern vehicles, I am sure the customer should know this and should be offered an alternative.
My conclusion: I stick to BP Ultimate 98 RON, or if that is not available: Shell V-Power 97 RON.
In the owners manual of the 350 Morini, there is written on one line (which many easily overlook): fuel: 98-100 RON.
Of couse it is possible to ride on 95, or perhaps even on 91 RON, but you have to retard the ignition some 5 degrees and be aware of pinking of the engine, especially going uphill.
Finally (and then I'll shut up): the E10 petrol, (the ethanol) can damage unprotected fueltanks. Above 20 degrees Celcius, the ethanol vaporizes and damages steel, or polyester. Best is to protect the fueltank with an ethanol resistant sealer.
Very important: inside protection of polyester fueltanks and even metal tanks against the ethanol.
For an effective coating, it is important a) the coating is ethanol proof, b) the fueltank is first 'degreased' on the inside.
My painter used a fine 'grit' (like sand) to blast the inside. Only that way the coating will hold.
When a polyester fueltank shows big bubbles on the outside, under the paint it is difficult, but not impossible to repair it.
These bubbles are caused by the agressive ethanol.
Cheers, Tony