Concerns
over ethanol and the effects on the carburettors and rubber
seals of classic cars like MGBV8s
"Shell
V-Power petrol is currently guaranteed not to contain ethanol"
This useful news item comes from the Federation of British Historic
Vehicles Clubs (FBHVC) Newsletter No 6, 2009 (8.12.09)
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Ethanol
in Petrol
We have reported the concerns over ethanol and the effects
on the carburettors and rubber seals on classic car fuel
systems, not least on MGBV8s.
In recent discussions between the Federation of British
Historic Vehicle Clubs and the DfT over ethanol in petrol,
concerns were raised in respect of fuel system corrosion
and also high fuel volatility, which has been causing
operational difficulties. The oil industry position is
based on a safety concern over a reduction of volatility.
The validity of the safety concern was questioned and
is now being checked by DfT, but in a recent FBHVC newsletter
they say "it seems unlikely that there will be a
reduction in fuel volatility other than a small correction
to reflect the blending of ethanol into the fuel."
They than add "it
is confirmed that Shell V-Power petrol is currently guaranteed
not to contain ethanol. It is not an exchange product,
being unique to Shell, so is under their close control,
unlike most other fuels sold at filling stations. Thus
for the time being, members wishing to avoid petrol containing
ethanol can buy this product, which also has the advantage
of being widely available."
The FBHVC report ends by saying "the
issue of corrosion concerns with petrol containing ethanol
is being pursued further, but at present there is nothing
more to report."
A number of MGBGTV8 enthusiasts use Shell V-Power fuel
for that reason and find it seems to run smoother. Howard
Gosling uses it for his MGBGTV8 which he drives on a daily
basis for business, so clocks up a substantial annual
mileage. He reports better mpg which partly offsets the
higher cost per litre of Shell V-Power compared with ordinary
unleaded petrol. |
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