E10 fuel & additives in WO's

[Robert Clifford-Wing]

What are members thoughts on the use of E10 fuel in vintage engines?

Is there a need to use an additive; currently I am using a Winn's lead replacement one but it doesn't appear to offer protection from the dreaded E10!

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

[Dan Suskin]

E10 will be just fine - there's nothing in a WO that would be affected. Been using it for years in mine. No additives necessary.

[John Murch]

As far as I understand for a WO the main potential for problem might be with cars that see little use, the ethanol content being hydroscopic. So it is possible for water to build up in the fuel tank. Depending on what your tank is made of, rust could develop and water could find its way to the carbs.

[DavidThompson]

I had thought that seals / gaskets could be damaged by E10, and best avoided by using E5 high octane fuel?
Interesting to learn that it is hydroscopic. Any idea about the rate of moisture ingression?
Also interesting to hear from Dan, as I think the USA has almost universally used E10 for some years.

[Dan Suskin]

Yes, rubber seals can be adversely affected, but there are no rubber seals or gaskets on a WO Bentley.

Now some folk have had their petrol tanks lined (in an effort to seal pinhole leaks) - that is a potential real problem, and one which made me redo the entire fuel system of my Phantom II after the E10 at the liner.

I do agree with keeping petrol tanks as full as possible if not driving the car much, but a car that's used on a reasonably regular basis with simply burn the little water that is brought into the fuel system.

[Greg P Porter]

I am based in the US. Non Ethanol is available in certain spots but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. I would recommend adding Marvel Mystery oil or something similar to the ethanol gas.

[Dan Suskin]

[John Murch]

I had not heard of Marvel Mystery Oil (I’m in the UK so I assume its a largely US product), on googling it, I see that there are a range of products, lead replacement etc..
I find my car (which has a significantly higher c.r. than when new) runs fine on E10, but does run better on premium non E fuels. So I add some octain booster (which also claims to help any negatives that E fuels might present) when filling with E10, I think it helps!

[DavidThompson]

Which octane booster do you use John?

[John Murch]

Tetra boost.
http://tetraboost.com/

[Stephen Blakey]

To answer the original question; it depends on how long ago your petrol tank was cleaned out. Petrol tanks slowly accumulate water in the bottom, which can sit there harmlessly for years. I've got a couple of pals who have put E10 into old tanks. The resulting fuel looks like an emulsion of petrol and rusty water. Engines don't like that. In one case a BDC member had to have her car recovered from a BDC trip to France after she'd accidentally put E10 in it and it died. The other was a pal who buys his petrol in bulk and ended up filling his modern with petrol/rusty water mix with the result that the modern failed to proceed and he had to summon the dealership to use special procedures to empty his wallet.

[Richard Freestone]

I have read a lot of blurb on the damage that might result to fuel systems etc. and have come to the conclusion that if the car is used regularly eg, at least once a month for 50/100 miles there should be no problem. As a precaution though I am adding Lucas Ethanol fuel treatment, a USA product that was recommended by a US resident WO owner. It's available on E Bay and most large car spares shops. Price between £10 and £14. One pint bottle gives protection for 1200 miles.

I cover approximately 5/6000 miles a year in my 1928 4.5.

Thus far, no problems and the car seems to have a bit more performance.

I am also using E10 plus the additive in my 1953 R Type DHC which also covers about 5/6000 miles per year. Thus far no problems. :