E10 Ethanol Fuel - The definitive answer (3200/4200/GS)

[Zep]

Looks like we'll have start making our own, moonshine style lol..

This! Some IBCs, water and octane booster. Sorted!

 

[Phil H]

This! Some IBCs, water and octane booster. Sorted!

But that's not sustainable and it might still damage the planet. What's needed is a robust solution that even the most ardent eco-warrior could support; I wonder if electric vehicles might be possible, can you imagine an EV Maserati though? Still, stranger things have happened......

 

[Lozzer]

But that's not sustainable and it might still damage the planet. What's needed is a robust solution that even the most ardent eco-warrior could support; I wonder if electric vehicles might be possible, can you imagine an EV Maserati though? Still, stranger things have happened......

Only if "they" know about it

 

[Lozzer]

I can see it now, running illegal petrol in blacked out Dodge muscle cars between counties or Mad Max-Like might be better.....

 

[Zep]

I can see it now, running illegal petrol in blacked out Dodge muscle cars between counties or Mad Max-Like might be better.....

The last of the interceptors? I can’t see it catching on

 

[Contigo]

 

[Geo]

Looks like we'll have start making our own, moonshine style lol..

I’ve been removing ethanol from petrol for a couple of years now to ensure no issues with some classic motorbikes that I own. Just did a batch last week and changed over the fuel in the tanks. The old stuff goes in my old Vectra for disposal.

 

[Oishi]

Fractional distillation?

 

[Geo]

Fractional distillation?

No. I take 20ltr of petrol and mix add 2ltr of water with a little blue colouring in it then shake vigorously for about give minutes. The water absorbs the ethanol which I siphon off after the mixture has settled. As I said earlier there is very little ethanol in Esso’s best in Dundee. If you look at the attached photo the lower mark is the water before shaking and the upper mark is the increase due to ethanol being absorbed after shaking.

 

[schell70]

Had my first E10 fill up yesterday in the daily - or at least first I've noticed! Was at an Esso in Lincolnshire, all 95 RON was E10 with a very small label saying 'may not be compatible with all vehicles' - I mean the general public won't even notice!

They did of course have 99 RON Supreme E5 aswell at 151.9p!

 

[mjheathcote]

No. I take 20ltr of petrol and mix add 2ltr of water with a little blue colouring in it then shake vigorously for about give minutes. The water absorbs the ethanol which I siphon off after the mixture has settled. As I said earlier there is very little ethanol in Esso’s best in Dundee. If you look at the attached photo the lower mark is the water before shaking and the upper mark is the increase due to ethanol being absorbed after shaking.

View attachment 89245

I've just filled a jam jar with 10ml of water, marked a line, and top up with 300ml of BP regular, which should be up to 5% ethanol still.
So in theory the water line should move up to 25ml.
I haven't given it a shake though.... I'll report back!

 

[philw696]

Loving the experiments going on here.

 

[mjheathcote]

I've just filled a jam jar with 10ml of water, marked a line, and top up with 300ml of BP regular, which should be up to 5% ethanol still.
So in theory the water line should move up to 25ml.
I haven't given it a shake though.... I'll report back!

So just given it a rigorous 10 minutes shake and I'd say the water line hasn't quite doubled.
So that would indicate maybe 3% ethanol max.
Need a more accurate container to confirm, think I will do it again in a straight sided calibrated syringe...!
Edit: yep approx 3% with current BP regular "E5" stuff at the moment with my last fill up.

 

[Geo]

So just given it a rigorous 10 minutes shake and I'd say the water line hasn't quite doubled.
So that would indicate maybe 3% ethanol max.
Need a more accurate container to confirm, think I will do it again in a straight sided calibrated syringe...!
Edit: yep approx 3% with current BP regular "E5" stuff at the moment with my last fill up.

That’s pretty much what I got when testing Esso 99 octane using a certified measuring cylinder.

 

[TimR]

That’s pretty much what I got when testing Esso 99 octane using a certified measuring cylinder.

That’s not good, potentially...where in the UK are you George..? Esso’s Synergy Supreme 99+ claims to be ethanol free ( there are area exceptions)

 

[Geo]

That’s not good, potentially...where in the UK are you George..? Esso’s Synergy Supreme 99+ claims to be ethanol free ( there are area exceptions)

I live in Dundee Scotland. I believe there areas of the country where Esso add no ethanol to their 99 octane fuel.

 

[Zep]

Perhaps then, to avoid exceeding 10% manufacturers are aiming slightly lower, and it could well be 3% for E5 and 7-8% for E10. Even less cause for concern.

 

[TimR]

I live in Dundee Scotland. I believe there areas of the country where Esso add no ethanol to their 99 octane fuel.

Indeed but Scotland isnt one of them, by their own admission..
Still - 3% wont get you tipsy !

 

[TimR]

Perhaps then, to avoid exceeding 10% manufacturers are aiming slightly lower, and it could well be 3% for E5 and 7-8% for E10. Even less cause for concern.

I swear my Stage3 v-twin ran better instantly once I refilled with ethanol free fuel though...honest !

 

[Zep]

I swear my Stage3 v-twin ran better instantly once I refilled with ethanol free fuel though...honest !

On carbs? I don’t doubt it. But it I assume it was also higher octane?