Fuel Ethanol content

[tangocharlie1]

Does anyone know if there is more ethanol content in Super unleaded then regular unleaded ?
I have used Super unleaded in the Sprint for many years, but with ethanol now being used in the fuel and the potential for causing problems for older engines is it worth reverting back to regular unleaded ? I do use the Millers additive which apparently helps to protect against the effect of ethanol fuel. Can i save myself a few pence in the process ?

[TrustNo1]

If you are using additive then there is no need to spend the money on super unleaded.
With Shell fuels the E content in the regular and V-power is the same (less than 5%). Esso has nearer 10% in all the petrol variants.

[SprintMWU773V]

The content varies from brand to brand and even from station to station depending on where the base fuel is refined or whether it's summer or winter fuel.

Actually getting specifics from each manufacturer is tricky as very few (if any) can actually give you an answer. Most people source their information from Pistonheads or other similar hearsay. The only fuel I can be sure contains a significant amount of ethanol is Tesco Momentum 99 as it requires a higher ethanol content to achieve the 99 octane rating, though I can't actually give you a percentage.

I don't know where the Esso 10% claim came from? I'm not aware that any fuel in the UK is actually using more than 5% ethanol, using such an E10 fuel would require it to be labelled accordingly and I don't recall seeing any labels on pumps for E10 in the UK. In Esso's case they do actually state that their super unleaded fuels do not contain any ethanol, except if you buy it in Scotland, Devon, Cornwall and Teeside.

[Mahesh]

In Esso's case they do actually state that their super unleaded fuels do not contain any ethanol, except if you buy it in Scotland, Devon, Cornwall and Teeside.

I changed to Esso after reading in Club Triumphs mag a couple of months ago, more info there if anybody has a copy.

[Galileo]

Ethanol in petrol isn't new, used extensively during WW2 and prior and the good old Ford Model T was designed to run on it neat, actually that last part is an oft quoted myth. Anyway, all unleaded petrol will have up to 5% Ethanol (E5) as mandated by law (no E10/E85 outlets in the UK that I'm aware) but Super 97 RON isn't covered so can have none. Most suppliers seem to quote real world ethanol figures as 1-2% for 95 RON and less to none in 97 RON. Stick to Esso 97, Avgas or invest in a couple of metres of R9 fuel pipe!

[TrustNo1]

The content varies from brand to brand and even from station to station depending on where the base fuel is refined or whether it's summer or winter fuel.

Actually getting specifics from each manufacturer is tricky as very few (if any) can actually give you an answer. Most people source their information from Pistonheads or other similar hearsay. Teeside.

The info is on the fuel companies websites but yes it does vary which is why they don't give exact percentage just usually 'less than 5%' or '8-10%' etc.

[TrustNo1]

I don't know where the Esso 10% claim came from? I'm not aware that any fuel in the UK is actually using more than 5% ethanol, using such an E10 fuel would require it to be labelled accordingly and I don't recall seeing any labels on pumps for E10 in the UK. In Esso's case they do actually state that their super unleaded fuels do not contain any ethanol, except if you buy it in Scotland, Devon, Cornwall and Teeside.

My bad I was looking at a non uk Esso site, the UK site states as you say no E in Super U/L except in those areas

[tangocharlie1]

Thanks for the response, there seems to be a lot of conflicting information, i think i will try and search out the Esso Super unleaded for now but still use an additive.

[Graham04]

My son who has been using my MGBGT as an every day car for the last 4 months rang me with those immortal word. " Dad the car has stopped ". The problem being the entire fuel pipe system had basically dissolved. Everything from the tank to the carbs had to be replaced. Running again now, but how long will the O rings etc in the carbs last ? Only Esso premium fuel will be going in the Dolly and the MG from now on. There is no doubt that ethanol is nasty stuff.