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MG TD TF 1500 - Ethanol

Noticed that Esso UK are changing their petrol formula, so thought I'd ask the ethanol question. Here is their reply:

"We would like to inform you that there is currently no requirement for renewable fuel (such as ethanol) to be present in super unleaded (97 grade petrol). Esso super unleaded petrol (Esso Energy Supreme) is ethanol free (except in Devon, Cornwall, the Teesside area and Scotland) and we have no current intention to add ethanol to Esso Energy Supreme in other areas of the UK.

We would therefore advise anyone who has concerns about the presence of ethanol in petrol to use Esso Energy Supreme – providing they do not fill up in Devon or Cornwall, the Teesside area or Scotland.

Furthermore, please note that with the introduction of our new Synergy fuels nothing has changed regarding the UL97 composition itself. However, Esso Synergy Fuels now contain a proprietary additive with a marker which we can use to help further ensure customers are getting Esso quality. We have also increased the amount of additive in all of our Synergy petrol to help provide an even deeper engine clean compared to the corresponding previous formulation. The additive helps to remove engine deposits.

Finally, let us assure you that the synergy additive is fully compatible with all vehicle makes and models."

I didn't specifically mention classic cars
Mike Lees TD29330

M Lees

Sadly, the only alcohol free gas near me is at the airfield or racetrack and both are dear.

Having said that, my only bad experience has been a couple of diaphragms in small engine fuel pumps. Those pumps got replaced with centrifugal types and I've had no problems since then. Others have not done so well but sometimes I wonder if they're looking to blame something or anything for their problems.
JE Carroll

Here's what BP say:
Bioethanol is present in nearly all regular unleaded petrol being sold by fuel suppliers in the UK today. Bioethanol is also becoming increasingly present in the UK’s super-unleaded (premium/higher octane) petrol too; this is because, in compliance with the UK government’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, fuel suppliers have been required to increase the quantity of bio fuels in their transport fuels since 2008. As a consequence, the inclusion of bioethanol in our BP Ultimate Unleaded supply chain is an evolving situation and we are therefore unable to give you categorical assurances as to its absence or presence. However we can assure you that – as required by the The Motor Fuel (Composition and Content) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 – the content of bioethanol in our BP Ultimate Unleaded gasoline will never be more than 5% by volume until 1st January 2017 at the earliest.
All BP fuels, Regular and BP Ultimate, contain special ingredients which have cleaning and protection properties for the engine. BP Ultimate has been rigorously tested on a wide range of vehicles, covering hundreds of thousands of miles, in various conditions. Its advanced formula offers a wide range of benefits compared to ordinary fuels, including better fuel efficiency and enhanced performance, , all of which give long term benefit and value to the consumer and their vehicle.
M Lees

JE, Do you have any Conoco stations up there? I have a Conoco station a mile from me that sells Non-Ethanol gas. Possibly in other states Conoco might have a certain grade that is Ethanol free. PJ
Paul161

Ethanol is certainly a "special ingredient". It will dissolve many older gas tank slushing compounds and deposit it on intake valves and carb/fuel pump parts, dissolve rubber, you will get 10% less fuel mileages, and it is incredibly hygroscopic. A local TD sat for a year (in an unheated garage), and there was a good quart of water in the bottom of the fuel tank due to this and ultimate phase change and separation. Not to mention it is grossly environmentally/energy negative. Great stuff! George
George Butz

This thread was discussed between 25/09/2015 and 30/09/2015

MG TD TF 1500 index

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