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MG TD TF 1500 - Ethanol Free Gas

Hi all
I have had my TF for a decade now. Only this year, did I discover a local gas station that had ethanol free premium fuel. I've been driving with it this summer. Previously I used 10% ethanol premium.
I really believe that the engine has more power and runs smoother with the E Free fuel. Could that be true, or is it wishful thinking?

Tom
'54 TF
T Norby

Mine does. I use nothing but non eth fuel. Fortunate to have two Conoco stations near me, one sells both and one only sells non eth fuel, I guess because he owns the station he can sell whatever he wants. PJ
PJ Jennings

In my experience, the old MTBE pre-ethanol formulas did run better. Slightly more power and economy, less pinging and overrun, etc. Unfortunately there aren't many places left where it's legal.
Steve Simmons

There is an App for that:

Pure Gas uses your location, and it gives you maps on how to get the the ethanol fee gas station too.

I used it last weekend.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

I've been ethanol free gas for years and I had gas sit in the tank for 9 months when I was in the hospital and the car ran fine when I drove it. I did not have any additive in it. Most times I use 93 octaine but I have used 90 octaine when the station was out of 93 and the car ran fine.
David Honness

Thanks guys
Not my imagination. I will keep using the ethanol free gas. I really like the improved performance. Fortunately, I live in good old Oregon, where anything goes. No problem buying it.

Tom
'54 TF
T Norby

Only in select areas, Peter. Many states have adopted ethanol-laced fuel, unfortunately. No non-ethanol gasoline in California either. You can of course get it at airport using airport transfers sevenoakss, but that's very inconvenient as well as (I believe) illegal to pour into a car.

Pure-Gas also has a web site you can check.
https://www.pure-gas.org/
Steve Simmons

In theory you should get a slight boost in performance and mileage. We have a couple of places within 10 miles now that sell non ethanol fuel. I can't say that I noticed any difference though in power or fuel consumption when I tried a couple of tank fulls.
L E D LaVerne

Tom, Yes I can get ethanol free gasoline here in my area (Eugene) in a few locations but it is all at least $1.00 more per gallon than the 10% stuff and only available in 93 octane which I do not believe a stock TD with its low compression needs. I've tried both and note no difference in running. When I was in California, however, the MTBE stuff caused no end of sticking carb needle valves.
John Quilter (TD8986)

Having seen much damage from ethanol fuel, I switched the TD and my 280Z to non-ethanol about 3 years ago when it became readily available here. No difference in the TD running, the Z definitely better. However, my front float needle (grosse jet type) started sticking after sitting and the fuel sender died in the Z. Not sure if related. However, the ethanol fuel is evil and is very energy/environmentally negative. George
George Butz

The whole point of fuel with ethanol was its supposed to be more environmentally friendly. Tetraethyl lead was not friendly to the environment or people, MTBE is persistent and not friendly to the environment, ethanol by comparison is relatively harmless (unless you drink too much of it!). In addition its supposed to give cleaner combustion, which it certainly should, though it liberates slightly less power. However the way it is produced makes a difference to its environmental benefits. I have no problem using it.
Dave H
Dave Hill

I bought a bottle of Millers VSPe Power Plus the other day after a conversation with a local supplier of specialist oils

The bumbf reads :'An “ALL IN ONE” fuel treatment providing ethanol protection, lead replacement and an octane improver that adds up to two octane numbers (20 points) to unleaded fuel'

He said it stabalised fuels + cured things like run on.

I was very skeptical of snake oil - but you know what - it worked.

In my Jag MK2 it runs smoother, in my MG it both runs smoother, idles more consistently and cured the persistent run on.

Sample size of one - it worked :-)

Dave
D Moore

I see that a number of the chain gas stations around here are now selling ethanol free gas. It's $.50/gal more than 87 octane regular. Not sure what the octane rating is. Bud
Bud Krueger

Ethanol gas is also worse for vapor locking.
D. Sander

Until we moved down here last year I had never experienced vapor locking. For the past year I have had to remember to pull the choke out when I do a warm restart. Perturbing, not not worth $.50/gal. Bud
Bud Krueger

Hi Bud, more likely the air temp rather than the gas. My TD has been in the family in Florida since the 70s and has always had the hot soak issue to some degree. Goerge
George Butz

D. Sander: Yes, I have even experienced it with my relatively modern 1990 Jaguar XJ6 with fuel injection. Now contemplating adding a fuel cooler in the return line to the tank. With this car there is no choke to use as a "work around".
John Quilter (TD8986)

One of the things I miss about not being in Wisconsin. Many stations were carrying non-ethanol fuel. Premium ran about 20 to 30 cents more, so for a few bucks, I always used it in the B and the Td.

Here in lovely California, no such luck.

But then, I used to fill up prior to going across Minnesota, because they did not allow it either.
Bruce Cunha

This thread was discussed between 28/10/2017 and 04/11/2017

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