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Question for European friends re E10 car fuel
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JonathanMilbank



Joined: 14 Apr 2012
Posts: 388
Location: Aberdeen area

PostPosted: Sun May 02, 2021 10:36 am    Post subject: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

Fellow Europa pilots and pilots of all aircraft fitted with Rotax 912 engines throughout the European union. Please tell me if you are happily using E10 fuel from petrol stations without ill effects.

Until this year we in the UK have been using E5 car fuel, but have officially been informed that from September the garage fuel pumps and nozzles will be showing E10. Of course this is causing some concern and discussion in the flying community, with many stating that they will feel forced to start using UL91 which is between 40% and 50% more expensive per litre.

Someone was telling me today that EU pilots have been using E10 for many years without noticeable problems. Is this true? Thank you.

Jonathan
Europa Classic G-EIKY


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Dave Disney



Joined: 16 Aug 2010
Posts: 54
Location: Weston-Super-Mare

PostPosted: Sun May 02, 2021 12:45 pm    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

Hi Jonathan,

My understanding is that the Rotax 912 series is perfectly OK using E10 fuel, it's the other items in the fuel system that you need to consider such as the fuel tank, fuel lines, electric pump, gascolator, etc.

But why use E10 when there are forecourt alternatives that have no ethanol?

Depending on your location in the UK, Esso Synergy Supreme +99 has no ethanol and an octaine rating of 99 see here https://www.esso.co.uk/en-gb/fuels/petrol. I have been used Esso Supreme since 2013 and checked every batch for ethanol - there is none.

Although I haven't checked, I understand that some other 'premium' fuels are ethanol free. Don't be fooled by the labels on the pumps 'E5' means up to 5% ethanol, so some are ethanol free. Premium grade fuels do not have to change to E10 yet, check the forecourts and you will see that the premium fuels are still labelled E5.

My advice is to check out your local supplies of Premium grade fuels and check the ethanol content yourself using one of these https://www.parts4aircraft.com/alcohol-in-fuel-tester

It's also worth checking SL-912-016R2 from Rotax


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SL-912-016R2_914-014R2_Essential information regarding engine behavior performance and manifold pressure data for ROTAX Engine Types 912 and 914 (Series).pdf
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JonathanMilbank



Joined: 14 Apr 2012
Posts: 388
Location: Aberdeen area

PostPosted: Sun May 02, 2021 1:24 pm    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

Hi Dave,

My question is about Europa aircraft as a whole, although perhaps I should have been more specific. Most people I know in the Europa family and several others using Rotax engines in different aircraft types, have no qualms at all about E10 in their engines. As you say, it's the "the fuel tank, fuel lines and electric pump" which give more concern.

But I've been informed that there's no such thing as ethanol free car petrol such as Esso Synergy Supreme and other "super unleaded" brands in the whole of Scotland and parts of Northern England, which all get their fuel from the Grangemouth refinery regardless of brand name. From September this year, all car petrol from Grangemouth will continue to have ethanol of at least 5% and up to 10% in ordinary unleaded.

Furthermore a friend's Eurofox experienced partial engine failure after take-off due to using Esso Synergy Supreme from a local garage, probably caused by stale fuel due to low sales turnover. He only just managed to get back onto the runway unscathed! After flushing out the fuel system and filling with ordinary E5 unleaded, there's never been another missed beat in his engine.

So my question remains to be answered by EU pilots and particularly EU Europa owners who have been using E10 for many years, as far as I know. Please let me know if you've heard of any problems experienced by any pilots and/or Europa owners in Europe after using E10 petrol for a long time. Problems not only to do with carburettor icing and vapour lock, but also the fuel tank, fuel lines and electric pump. Thank you.


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SteveIvell(at)pestproof.c
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PostPosted: Sun May 02, 2021 2:04 pm    Post subject: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

How can you or the Eurofox pilot be certain it's down to the fuel being stale?? It could be vapour lock, water in fuel etc, etc.


We all have anecdotal tales of "fuel" problems but there are many possibilities and blaming stale fuel is a bit lame TBH.


Kind Regards

Steve Ivell
07971 128842
From: owner-europa-list-server(at)matronics.com <owner-europa-list-server(at)matronics.com> on behalf of JonathanMilbank <jdmilbank(at)yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: Sunday, May 2, 2021 10:24:16 PM
To: europa-list(at)matronics.com <europa-list(at)matronics.com>
Subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel

--> Europa-List message posted by: "JonathanMilbank" <jdmilbank(at)yahoo.co.uk>

Hi Dave,

My question is about Europa aircraft as a whole, although perhaps I should have been more specific. Most people I know in the Europa family and several others using Rotax engines in different aircraft types, have no qualms at all about E10 in their engines. As you say, it's the "the fuel tank, fuel lines and electric pump" which give more concern.

But I've been informed that there's no such thing as ethanol free car petrol such as Esso Synergy Supreme and other "super unleaded" brands in the whole of Scotland and parts of Northern England, which all get their fuel from the Grangemouth refinery regardless of brand name. From September this year, all car petrol from Grangemouth will continue to have ethanol of at least 5% and 10% in ordinary unleaded.

Furthermore a friend's Eurofox experienced partial engine failure after take-off due to using Esso Synergy Supreme from a local garage, probably stale fuel due to low sales turnover. He only just managed to get back onto the runway unscathed! After flushing out the fuel system and filling with ordinary E5 unleaded, there's never been another missed beat in his engine.

So my question remains to be answered by EU pilots and particularly Europa owners who have been using E10 for many years, as far as I know. Please let me know if you've heard of any problems experienced by any pilot and/or Europa owner after using E10 petrol for a long time. Problems not only to do with carburettor icing and vapour lock, but also the fuel tank, fuel lines and electric pump. Thank you.




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JonathanMilbank



Joined: 14 Apr 2012
Posts: 388
Location: Aberdeen area

PostPosted: Sun May 02, 2021 3:01 pm    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

Hello Steve,

One of the joint owners of the Eurofox said he gave the suspect fuel to a relative who is a scientist in the petrochemical industry, to be tested. I never saw the results, but was given to understand that the fuel was stale. Furthermore when the fuel was put into a mower, the mower wouldn't run properly.

After the Eurofox only just managed to land unscathed back on the runway, I personally got involved with the draining and fuel replacement and saw the samples taken for testing. Naturally the garage owner hotly denied any suggestion that his tank was to blame.

This was all personally witnessed.

And I still want European pilots and owners of EU based aircraft with Rotax engines, either Europas or other types to answer please. Experiences, anecdotal or otherwise, from UK sources aren't what I'm after, although I appreciate your concern. Thank you.


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Griffo



Joined: 18 Mar 2021
Posts: 70
Location: The Oaks, NSW, Australia

PostPosted: Mon May 03, 2021 3:01 am    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

I am with Steve Ivell - now where near enough information on which to base a hypothesis.

All fuel degrade over time - how long had this fuel been sitting in the aircrafts vented tank.

Was fresh fuel added to old ? and if so in what sort of ratio?

I recently witnessed a Europa (912 ULS) that had not been flown for 3 years BUT had been regularly taxied, run rough on start up, followed by a shut down and failed attempts to restart. Investigation revealed dark orange fuel that if fresh should have been almost colorless/ to very light yellow. Draining the dark fuel, replacing with fresh, emptying the float chambers and flushing the fuel lined with fresh fuel completely changed the engines performance. Instant start and smooth running. Aircraft the taken for its first circuits in 3 years without any difficulty.


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John Kirkgaard



Joined: 04 Aug 2019
Posts: 21
Location: Denmark

PostPosted: Mon May 03, 2021 4:59 am    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

Hi Jonathan.
The E10 has been on the market (in Denmark)for a couple of years, only.
In our Europa 912S we are using standard fuel RON 95 E10, only.
Have used the RON 100 E5 once, but seems to be waste of money, only.
Over the time the Europa has flown - approx 1½ years and 50 hours- we
have not had any fuel related problems.
The only minor issue we have is that we have to change the O-ring in the
Andair gascolator, after each time we dismantle the glass, as the o-ring
swells up as soon as it gets in contact with the fuel.
Well for sure that means, that we have to check the hoses slightly more
often than when using AVgas
John


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Dave Disney



Joined: 16 Aug 2010
Posts: 54
Location: Weston-Super-Mare

PostPosted: Mon May 03, 2021 6:53 am    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

Hi Jonathan,

I would be very surprised if a garage forecourt was selling 'stale' fuel and if I suspected the forecourt supply I would have gone back and bought 5 litres in a clean container and had it tested. I do not know what, if any, periodic sample tests are done by forecourt operators, but I understand that they are supposed to supply fuel to a certain standard.

Perhaps the Eurofox already had a good deal of stale fuel in its tanks before the new fuel was added, I wonder what the ratio of new to existing was. After the lockdown I pumped out all my fuel into clear containers and it looked a little yellow compared to fresh fuel. I have been adding it to fresh fuel in small quantities to use it up without problems so far. This is another good reason to sample the fuel when purchased for ethanol - you can check the colour.

That all fuel in the north comes from Grangemouth may not be an indication of the ethanol content of forecourt fuel. The reason for this statement is based on a conversation I once had with a tanker driver who was making deliveries to different forecourt suppliers (all supplied out of Avonmouth). I was told that the basic refined petroleum used was the same, but different additives are added to the tanker before despatch depending on what brand is being sold (Esso, BP, Sainsburys etc). Now it maybe that Grangemouth stocks a basic petroleum that contains 5% ethanol in which case you are stumped (that may explain why Esso Premium uptnorth contains ethanol), but it may be worth sampling different 'Premium' brands to make sure, one good point is that all the premium brands are remaining E5 for the time being.

Either way, I will continue to leave my fuel pump 'on' all the time to reduce the risk of vapour lock, use the 'main' tank feed all the time (so I know the reserve filter should be free if needed) check the filters every couple of months and purchase ethanol free high octane fuel when ever possible and check each batch before use.

It's good to see that John Kirkgaard in Denmark hasn't had too many problems using E10.


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JonathanMilbank



Joined: 14 Apr 2012
Posts: 388
Location: Aberdeen area

PostPosted: Mon May 03, 2021 7:34 am    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

Hello again John,

Good to know that you're not having trouble with E10. This tends to confirm what one of our more scientific club members has found in his research into the matter. To sum up what he was telling me yesterday, we should not notice any significant difference in our Europas, at least, between E5 and E10.

But there's nothing like hearing "from the horse's mouth" as the saying goes, so I look forward to getting more replies from pilots in the EU.

I'll be changing all my aircraft's fuel and oil hoses around the end of this year, after the introduction of E10 in September and don't expect to see much effect.

All the best with your Europa projects and hopefully we'll speak again soon.

Best regards,
Jonathan


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Griffo



Joined: 18 Mar 2021
Posts: 70
Location: The Oaks, NSW, Australia

PostPosted: Mon May 03, 2021 9:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

Dave Disney:
Your auxiliary/boost pump will not "prevent vapour lock" - The only way to reduce the chance of this happening is:
    To install the Rotax recommended fuel by -pass system
    Only fly on days below 30C
    Minimise ground running
    On very hot days -perform an extended high power run-up and plan for an engine out/low on power.


As this is an international forum for Europa aircraft, you might want to specify what country you are operating from - reason- fuel standards, terminology varies between countries. Statements such as "there's no such thing as ethanol free car petrol" may only apply to your geographic local.

Also: Rotax 91 engines are found in a wide range of aircraft. For the most part their operation and service /fuel requirements are the same ie not Europa specific.


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Remi Guerner



Joined: 14 Dec 2010
Posts: 284

PostPosted: Mon May 03, 2021 11:12 pm    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

The only minor issue we have is that we have to change the O-ring in the
Andair gascolator, after each time we dismantle the glass, as the o-ring
swells up as soon as it gets in contact with the fuel.

John,
You are right: the Viton o-ring which seals the bowl of the Andair GAS375 expands when in contact with fuel (I do not know if Avgas UL91 or Mogas 98 E5 makes a difference as I am using both). So when you re-install the bowl after cleaning the filter element, the expanded o-ring does not fit and it is very easy to damage it without knowing and go flying with a fuel leak. One (expensive) solution is to replace the o-ring every time you service the filter. However, I found that the expanded o-ring gets back to its original dimensions when stored in free air for a few weeks. So my solution is to have two o-rings: one in the gascolator while the other one is drying on your desk, waiting for the next service. As a precaution I carry a new spare o-ring in the aircraft.
Remi


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robertmarston(at)hotmail.
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PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2021 5:42 am    Post subject: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

Hi Steve,


I built and flew Europa Trigear G-CDBX and did have problems when I first started using fuel with Ethanol added.
My son (a Ryanair captain) and I took off from Southampton on a warm July day. Everything was normal until about 1500ft the engine misfired and continued to do so.
We returned to the airfield, removed the cowels, did an engine check and everything seemed normal. Again took off, and at about 1500 ft the misfire recurred. Returned to Southampton and landed safely.
I trailered the plane back to my home airfield of Shenstone. There, I removed the cowels, checked everything and could find no reason for the misfire. I decided to fly it to see if I could reproduce the problem. After 2 or 3 flights and perhaps 2 hours flying nothing happened until I was just returning at Shenstone when the misfire occurred again. I decide to carry on flying but to an area where I knew there were lots of big fields, just in case. I couldn’t get the misfire to happen again and returned to Shenstone without further incident.
After landing I decided to put my hand through the inspection hatch and feel the carburettors. To my surprise the float bowls were very hot, almost to hot to touch. This was the clue to the problem. Next, I tied the tailplane of the aircraft to our tractor to do some full power checks. This time after about 2 minutes, a severe misfire occurred.
I let the engine cool and repeated the test. Again, after about 2 minutes a severe misfire. A couple of days I repeated the test and the engine misfired as expected. I now knew I could repeat the fault and was narrowing down on the cause. Next I drained the fuel and filled up with Avgas, no ethanol. This time after 2 minutes, no misfire. I continued the test and even after 5 minutes no misfire occurred.  Clearly, to me the problem was the higher vapour pressure of the ethanol.
The fix, I took a thin piece of aluminium to act as a heat shield between the very hot exhaust pipe and the carburettor bowls. I fixed it by bolting it under a nearby exhaust pipe bolt. On feeling the carburettor bowls after flight they now seemed much cooler. I continued using petrol + ethanol mix and during the following say 200 hours the problem never recurred.
Robert Marston






From: owner-europa-list-server(at)matronics.com <owner-europa-list-server(at)matronics.com> on behalf of Steve Ivell <SteveIvell(at)pestproof.co.uk>
Sent: 02 May 2021 22:04
To: europa-list(at)matronics.com <europa-list(at)matronics.com>
Subject: Re: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel

How can you or the Eurofox pilot be certain it's down to the fuel being stale?? It could be vapour lock, water in fuel etc, etc.


We all have anecdotal tales of "fuel" problems but there are many possibilities and blaming stale fuel is a bit lame TBH.


Kind Regards

Steve Ivell
07971 128842
From: owner-europa-list-server(at)matronics.com <owner-europa-list-server(at)matronics.com> on behalf of JonathanMilbank <jdmilbank(at)yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: Sunday, May 2, 2021 10:24:16 PM
To: europa-list(at)matronics.com <europa-list(at)matronics.com>
Subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel

--> Europa-List message posted by: "JonathanMilbank" <jdmilbank(at)yahoo.co.uk>

Hi Dave,

My question is about Europa aircraft as a whole, although perhaps I should have been more specific. Most people I know in the Europa family and several others using Rotax engines in different aircraft types, have no qualms at all about E10 in their engines. As you say, it's the "the fuel tank, fuel lines and electric pump" which give more concern.

But I've been informed that there's no such thing as ethanol free car petrol such as Esso Synergy Supreme and other "super unleaded" brands in the whole of Scotland and parts of Northern England, which all get their fuel from the Grangemouth refinery regardless of brand name. From September this year, all car petrol from Grangemouth will continue to have ethanol of at least 5% and 10% in ordinary unleaded.

Furthermore a friend's Eurofox experienced partial engine failure after take-off due to using Esso Synergy Supreme from a local garage, probably stale fuel due to low sales turnover. He only just managed to get back onto the runway unscathed! After flushing out the fuel system and filling with ordinary E5 unleaded, there's never been another missed beat in his engine.

So my question remains to be answered by EU pilots and particularly Europa owners who have been using E10 for many years, as far as I know. Please let me know if you've heard of any problems experienced by any pilot and/or Europa owner after using E10 petrol for a long time. Problems not only to do with carburettor icing and vapour lock, but also the fuel tank, fuel lines and electric pump. Thank you.




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Dave Disney



Joined: 16 Aug 2010
Posts: 54
Location: Weston-Super-Mare

PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2021 11:19 am    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

Reply for Griffo:

For information I'm in the UK.

I agree that having the fuel pump on will not prevent vapour lock, but having positive pressure in the fuel system will help reduce the chance of it as any vapour in the fuel line will be pushed through the fuel lines back to the tank. I also believe that it helps starting especially when the engine is hot and the risk of vapour lock is greater.

On the Vans RV12, the fuel pump comes on with the master switch, there is no separate switch to turn off the pump, the only way to turn it of is to pull the circuit breaker/fuse If you search on the Vans forums, you will learn that one reason for having the pump on all the time is to help prevent vapour lock. Vans consider the pump an expendable item as it's cheap to replace.

The downside to leaving it on all the time is that (without a fuel pressure gauge as in my aircraft) you will not know if the mechanical pump has failed. This is why I occasionally turn off the electric pump at a safe altitude to see if the low fuel pressure light comes on which will indicate a problem with the mechanical pump.

I'm interested to learn if anyone has a valid reason for not leaving the electric pump on all the time.


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Griffo



Joined: 18 Mar 2021
Posts: 70
Location: The Oaks, NSW, Australia

PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2021 3:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

Hi David D;

I have a fuel pressure gauge which gives some indication of fuel delivery health.

I use my auxiliary fuel pump, pre start, to "charge the system" Turn of before engaging the starter. If you dont have to "drain" your electrical system with unnecessary systems you will get a better chance of a "brisk" turn over & engine start (same with a road vehicle, turn of all non essential electrics befor engaging starter).

I briefly use my auxiliary pump again during warm up to check for significant rise/fall in fuel line pressure - health of the system check.

Auxiliary pump on for take off & climb out to safe altitude.

I dont put my auxiliary pump on again, until down wind for a landing/or low level pass. Pump is turned off when taxiing prior to engine shut down.

Your auxiliary pump is supposed to be a back up in the event of your main, usually mechanical, pump failing in whole/part. It is routinely turned on, during critical phases of flight, when an engine fuel starvation situation may result in a crash. It is also there for cruise flight if the mechanical pump fails.

It is not and never has been a continual fuel supply mechanism.


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Griffo



Joined: 18 Mar 2021
Posts: 70
Location: The Oaks, NSW, Australia

PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2021 3:52 pm    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

Rotax 91 engines: Fuel vaporisation is usually the result of the heat from a hot engine, low/nil air flow "boiling" fuel in the fuel line (s) that go from the mechanical pump to the carburettors.

Boiling/vaporization of the fuel in these lines, is most likely to occur when a hot engine is shut down. No air & fuel flow.

Keeping fuel running through these lines will allow "cooling" to take place.

Rotax have come up with a partial "fix". It is restricted "bleed" system where fuel vapour and fuel can be vented back to the tank. This allows fresh cool fuel to charge the system close to the carburettors (there can still be a brief period of rough running as the hot gaseous fuel is passes through the carburettors giving a sub optimal fuel/air mix).

Using your auxiliary fuel pump on the ground, to push the hot fuel/gas back to the tank and replace it with fresh cool fuel, may certainly assist in speeding the recovery from the fuel vaporisation state. This can usually be "seen" by your fuel pressure gauge "jumping" and then settling to a continuose reading, indicating that liquid fuel is now present in the lines.

Using your auxiliary pump continuously will add nothing to your engines performance but is likely to drain your wallet a but quicker.


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Dave Disney



Joined: 16 Aug 2010
Posts: 54
Location: Weston-Super-Mare

PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2021 11:29 am    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

Hi Griffo,

I agree with most of what you say, especially about vapours returning through the fuel return line to the tank if there are any in the system hence my comment about assisting starting especially when hot. I think the restricted fuel return line is in the build manual, so all Europa's should be fitted with it, I know mine is.

I do leave mine on when starting, the pump only draws about 1.5 amps so shouldn't affect starting too much, but I do agree that all electrics are best off when starting.

The cost of replacement in the UK is about ÂŁ40 for the Facet pump (about $80 Aus ?) which isn't a lot when amortised over the life of the pump - mine is still going after 7 years in my ownership and there is no record of it having been changed since build in 2001.

I guess it's just down to personal preference so until someone comes up with really good reason not to do it, I'll be leaving mine 'on'


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Griffo



Joined: 18 Mar 2021
Posts: 70
Location: The Oaks, NSW, Australia

PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2021 3:22 pm    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

DD,

There is no really good reason for continually running your auxiliary pump, nor is there a good reason for turning it off when not required, except for the erlier point, that by leaving it on all the time, you may "mask" a failed main pump.

Other than this, I see no strong reason for arguing either way.

Its just your argument for leaving it on is a bit weak.


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clivesutton



Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Posts: 187
Location: KENILWORTH

PostPosted: Thu May 06, 2021 1:44 am    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

If i may add my own two-pennarth on this topic:-

It is a myth that particular brands of fuel in the UK always have the same mix of additives - including ethanol content.

The forecourt owners (who might be a single fuel station or number of them dotted around a region), are the ones who specify the mix that gets loaded at the refinery (i know because i asked MRH Driving Retail Group - who operate several forecourts in my area - about how they choose the fuel they sell). It's also not uncommon to find a particular forecourt changing its offer and re-branding from e.g. Shell to e.g. Jet.

So I suggest that if an Esso branded pump at a particular forecourt has a track record of no ethanol, it is much more likely that its that way because of the forecourt owners choices at that location than due to the brand being shown on the pump.


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clivesutton



Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Posts: 187
Location: KENILWORTH

PostPosted: Thu May 06, 2021 1:45 am    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

If i may add my own two-pennarth on this topic:-

It is a myth that particular brands of fuel in the UK always have the same mix of additives - including ethanol content.

The forecourt owners (who might be a single fuel station or number of them dotted around a region), are the ones who specify the mix that gets loaded at the refinery (i know because i asked MRH Driving Retail Group - who operate several forecourts in my area - about how they choose the fuel they sell). It's also not uncommon to find a particular forecourt changing its offer and re-branding from e.g. Shell to e.g. Jet.

So I suggest that if an Esso branded pump at a particular forecourt has a track record of no ethanol, it is much more likely that its that way because of the forecourt owners choices at that location than due to the brand being shown on the pump.


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Rick Moss



Joined: 21 Sep 2014
Posts: 96

PostPosted: Thu May 06, 2021 10:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Question for European friends re E10 car fuel Reply with quote

Fuel point it which fuel vaporises is also very much a function of fuel pressure. The electric pump pressurises all the fuel lines within the cowling, as opposed to the mechanical pump which only affects the pipes from the pump to the carbs; your fuel return line helps all the time that the engine is running, but the electric pump can return vapour to liquid in a matter of a few moments when turned on (“can”, not “will”!)

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