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BIO fuels - Problems for classic car drivers
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petelang



Joined: 21 May 2009
Posts: 442
Location: Nottingham

PostPosted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:00 pm    Post subject: BIO fuels - Problems for classic car drivers Reply with quote

Hello All,
Following a meeting of our DLOC club recently, one of our members brought up some articles he had researched about the new bio-fuel content of todays petrol. It seems it has a more acidic nature and can damage fuel system components in older cars. At present the content may only be 1-2% but this is set to rise and normal petrols will gradually disapear. It may be necessary for the classisc car user to find non-bio content fuels as some components of the systems may not be replaceable with modern materials that are not prone to damage. Talk is rife of increased costs for non-bio fuels.
It is also noted that bio fuels are less efficient than petrol so you use more per mile and in older cars this is more prevalent.
You might like to look at some of the stuff out on the web:
http://www.v8register.net/FilesDHT/V8May09Timesarticle.pdf
http://www.kettering.edu/visitors/storydetail.jsp?storynum=2779
http://www.fomc.co.nz/Biofuels-webcopy.pdf

The main concern will be attacking rubber gaskets and the potential for corrosion on tanks and alloys. Anyone else with an interest in this would like tou hear your thoughts.
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Roger-hatchy



Joined: 07 Dec 2007
Posts: 2135
Location: Tiptree, Essex

PostPosted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bio fuels?

great for the rich to get richer con

http://www.physorg.com/news145096760.html
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peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7113
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wonder if we could just do a litmus test and add a small amount of alkali to neutralise it?

Peter Confused
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1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon
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lowdrag



Joined: 10 Apr 2009
Posts: 1585
Location: Le Mans

PostPosted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 12:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Shell came out with a document on this about a year back but I can't find it at the moment. If I do I'll post it. You are recommended to fill the car to the brim before wintering because the ethanol based fuels are hygroscopic and add a non alcohol based fuel stabiliser (as used in boats). Also, I didn't know that there are two types of ethanol based fuel - summer and winter - and that winter fuel, delivered to fuel stations from 15th October onwards and which has a higher volatility, is apparently best for laying up so now is the time to fill up.

PS This might shed some light though:-

http://www.kettering.edu/visitors/storydetail.jsp?storynum=2779
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Jim.Walker



Joined: 27 Dec 2008
Posts: 1229
Location: Chesterfield

PostPosted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 3:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I believe Winter and Summer blending of petrol has been practiced by the oil companies all my lifetime.
The link above is very interesting. I have heard claims that ethanol can soften plastic components such as hoses and pipes and some carburetter parts made of plastic, but I have never heard of the possible effects on rubber or metal corrosion. I was aware of its hygroscopic properties, but mistakenly it seems, I thought that would safeguard against water accumulation in tanks and carbs.
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are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then!
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petelang



Joined: 21 May 2009
Posts: 442
Location: Nottingham

PostPosted: Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Another potential problem with this, if you have lining material within the tanks it can decompose it which means orrible stuff floating around in your fuel. A very difficult problem to erradicate.
We could all do with knowing more about this. If you attend a club might be helpful to raise issue and see if anyone else has more knowledge.
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