Protecting against ethanol

Mark Law · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 12:22 pm Post subject: Protecting against ethanol

First time poster and still quite new to all this. Looking for advice on protecting against the ethanol in petrol. I always use premium petrol and 1935 Derby 3.5 (aluminium head) doesn't need a lead additive. Is an additive to protect against ethanol a 'must' with premium petrol and if so what do people recommend? I note millers sell EPS which looks suitable... in theory.

Thanks in advance.

John Murch · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:26 pm Post subject:

lots of conflicting advice on this!
My view is use EPS or Tetraboost or similar, maybe not every tankful, but regularly, especially if the car is to stand unused for any time.
It may do no good at all, but is cheaper than a potential expensive repair.
John

Paul Spencer · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 8:37 pm Post subject:

As John says, they are not expensive and may do some good. The FBHVC tested some and made recommendations. I use Frost Ethomix, which is one they recommend.

Chris Card · Guest

Is the problem with ethanol more to do with water seperation (is it hygroscopic?) if the car is standing for a longish time?

Chris

Paul Spencer · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 7:48 am Post subject:

That seems to be one problem. But I have also read that it attacks carburretor cork seals. Of course, once a product gets a reputation like that, every problem gets assigned to it. Have a look at http://www.fbhvc.co.uk/legislation-and-fuels/fuel-information/.

John Murch · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 8:26 am Post subject:

There are still some small suppliers of petrol that offer Ethanol free petrol.
If you happen to live in Sussex
http://local-fuels.co.uk/our-service-stations/1232287
These guys sell it, at normal prices.
I expect that there are some others around too. Sorry not much use if you live in Poole!

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 8:49 am Post subject:

Notice the date 13/12/1956.

Ethanol is the second of the alcohol fractions, it make you drunk, and will eventually kill.
The first fraction is methanol which de-zincifies brass and will merely take the amalgam fillings out of your teeth, send you blind and mad, and that is why it is used to de-nature ethanol as "meths", along with pyridones as a bittering agent.

Iain Warner · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 12:53 pm Post subject:

That's very interesting. The Burlen workshop manual for SU pumps still refers to backing off 4 holes to achieve the correct setting, maybe they have changed the spec of the diaphragm.
Iain

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 1:19 pm Post subject:

BB 231 states:- " a further 4 holes back", 8 holes in all!

Iain Warner · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 2:24 pm Post subject:

Hard to get my head round this number of holes!

Mark Law · Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 6:14 am Post subject:

A belated thanks to all of you for the informative replies, am going to use one of the FBHVC recommended additives next time I fill up.