Thread: Ethanol/Petrol Mix

Originally Posted by thegriphon

Anybody out there had any experience with using an ethanol mix in a 4.6 V8?

We've got a 10% mix with 95 octane ULP here in NZ. I tried putting 20 litres in with about 30 of normal 95 octane and though I wouldn't swear to it, there seemed to be a bit more go and the tank seemed to last a tad longer (can you tell with a 4.6?).

Anybody know if it's safe to use just the etanol mix?

Cheers Griff

Hi Griff

We too have the mix here in aust ...ive been using it i my 3.9l d1 since the day l brought it and the fellow before me owned it for 1 1/2 yrs...he was using it as well ...not once has it been a problem if anything it runs like a dream

cheers

you can run E10 without significant issues, more than that and you need to think about minor engine mods.

I find it surprising that people report better fuel economy seeing ethanol has only 60% of the calorific value of petrol. 60% of 10% means that economy should decrease by about 4%. I noticed a reduction in power when towing also.
Maybe it's not so straightforward, but that has been my experience with my 92RRC .IMHO the slightly reduced price does not compensate for the reduced economy and power.
A friend swears by it in his Hilux, but he had a pinging problem and the 95 octane vs 91-92 cured it, and maybe bought more power as pinging reduces power.
Also in NSW anyway, The station tank gunk has been stirred up. Some stations are putting filters on the hose which is illegal according to a friend who works for Gilbarco. This was a consequent problem when I had a slight split in the sock of my fuel pump. The fuel pump inlet blocked with fine filter like material which could have been from the few times I used E10.
Regard sPhilip A.

Ethanol blend E10 experiences

Here's some bedtime reading - 150 + pages of scientific tests (not hearsay):

http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committ...ons/sub1b2.pdf

Seems both perceptions are borne out - better/worse economy depending on the vehicles involved and no major problems in older cars particularly apparent when compared to post 1986 that should be perfectly compatible with ethanol blends.

Bob

Generally speaking Bob's reference is what I would expect. As Philip says, the energy content is less, but as against that the octane rating is higher. Some engines automatically adjust to the octane rating (as well as to the mixture - the ethanol needs a richer mixture), but for those engines that do not automatically adjust, the actual power and economy result will basically depend on how closely it was tuned to perform best on ordinary unleaded - if the tuning is more closely suited to E10, then it will do better, if not, it won't.

Problems with ethanol arise either from its tendency to dissolve bits of the fuel system, plus the fact that it is hygroscopic (attracts water), resulting in corrosion and the encouragement of bacteria to grow in the fuel. But 10% is not high enough for these effects to become significant.

john