Classic Cars May ‘Run Better’ and Suffer Less Damage with New E10 Fuel

Biofuels Engine Design, Infrastructure, Opinions, Policy, R & D Focus, UK (United Kingdom), Vehicle/Engine/Motor

July 23, 2020

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by Luke Chillingsworth (Express) Classic car owners may find that new E10 fuel changes set to be introduced next year actually helps cars to ‘run better’ instead of doing damage. — Classic car owners may find the new petrol makes cars “less likely” to do themselves less damage than current fuel, according to a specialist. Paul Ireland, fuel researcher and author of Classic Engines: Modern Fuel revealed his analysis has shown classic engines run better using ethanol blended fuel.

Speaking to Express.co,uk, Mr Ireland claims there was “not a lot of evidence” of ethanol causing issues with vehicles despite experts’ concerns.

He said: “There’s not a lot of evidence for ethanol causing problems with cars running [alcohol fuel].

“All of the tests were really focused on the practical problems, not the theoretical problems.

“We’ve found with the classic engines, carburetor engines run a lot better on fuel that has ethanol in and there are various reasons for that.

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“One of the problems that modern petrol causes is this phenomena called cyclic variability. And what this does is it can damage your engine when it’s just running along.”

Cyclic variability is when engines provide a scatter of cylinder pressures rather than a similar pattern.

In some severe cases this could cause fuel to partially burn or misfire which can have an impact on the driveability of a vehicle.

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The Ford Model T was launched in 1908 with early models using adjustable carburetors used to run ethanol blended fuel.

Leaded gasoline was developed by General Motors in 1921 while British engine Harry Ricardo issued a patent for new racing fuel containing ethanol that same year.

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Mr Ricrado launched the UK’s first alcohol fuel, Cleveland Discol, in 1928 which was sold for 40 years up to 1968.

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Specialists have warned cars built before 2002 should not use the new E10 fuel when it is launched with some warning cars up to 2011 may be affected.

Tests conducted by the Department for Transport have warned the new fuel could cause a range of problems including degradation to key car parts.

They have warned car’s fuel hoses and seals could become damaged with fuel filters also blocked.

The tests revealed fuel pumps could also be affected by the new petrol while carburetors are corroded and injectors blocked.

Analysis has also revealed corrosion is likely in the fuel tanks with rubber particularly affected by the new mix.

Mr Ireland said: “The problem with ethanol blended fuel is a lot of the things people are sayings are factually correct but they not what the real problems are.” READ MORE

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