Petrol Bio-ethanol Content

[Stirring Moose]

May have a bit of bad news. Apparently there are moves afoot to increase the percentage of bio-ethanol in petrol to 10% by 2013. This could have rather nasty implications for owners of older cars (and we're not talking pre-war here, more anything over about 10 years old!) as bio-ethanol can rot fuel system components that are not designed to cope with it. I am currently in the process of trying to find out how badly the Mk.3 might be affected and have fired off e-mails to the AA and to Volkswagen UK. Will let you all know what comes of it.

On the slightly brighter side, at the recent Autosport Show I spoke to Millers Oils who have already developed a range of fuel additive products to allow older cars to run the new fuel if there are problems. Not something to get into "just in case" though as it's more cost so will go on chasing answers as described above.

In the mean time, the Federation of Historic British Vehicle Clubs are on the case, check this link;
http://fbhvc.co.uk/bio-fuels/

S.M.

[Khare]

In Brazil, most cars run off alcohol which is very dry And has no lubrication. The cars run well indeed as alcohol Burns better however these cars especially the older ones suffer more headgasket failures and wear and tear. I say bring it on, wish they had pure alcohol over here!

[Stirring Moose]

In Brazil, most cars run off alcohol which is very dry And has no lubrication. The cars run well indeed as alcohol Burns better however these cars especially the older ones suffer more headgasket failures and wear and tear. I say bring it on, wish they had pure alcohol over here!

You may well be right that alcohol is good because it burns well but the issue seems to be getting it to the engine in the first place. If the bio-fuel rots out the seals etc. in the fuel system, it's going to leak out and the engine won't ever see it! Also, without wishing to get overdramatic about the whole thing, fuel leaks can potentially turn into fuel fires and they can really spoil your day...

S.M.

[Agreeable Slick]

Talking 10%. It's not going to be enough to cause major problems, nothing that taking care of the fuel system will not prevent. Fuel filter changes will help a hell of a lot as well.

Diesel cars are running up to 20% Biofuel mixes without any problems.

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about such a small amount of ethanol in the fuel, it's when you get to the bigger numbers like E50-E80 that the problems will start.

[Jack3559]

 

[Stirring Moose]

Yeah I know 10% is a small amount and it may well be that all will be ok. Still worth being aware of though, especially as the government and fuel companies don't seem too keen to publicise what they're up to.

S.M.

[Stirring Moose]

Glad you find it all so amusing mate. Sorry this isn't a thread about what alloys fit, how low you can run or who makes the best VR6 "splitter". It's about a situation which may affect our continued use and enjoyment of our Golfs and I thought it only right to give other forum members the heads up. Hopefully, it'll not prove to be a problem (as Slick points out, it is only 10%) but I intend to keep my Mk.3 for a good while so I'd rather deal in facts than hope for the best and laugh it off.

S.M.

[Jack3559]

Whoa! You clearly misunderstood!

I thought what you said about fuel fires spoiling your day was funny...

I actually do care about this matter, I run 10% bio in my tdi.

Very cost effective.

[Agreeable Slick]

Honestly, I do think you are getting worked up over nothing much at all.

Petrol has been having various levels of ethanol (or other similar additives) for the last few years, only to 5% or so, but still. Petrol with the addition of 10% level of ethanol isn't going to harm the system.

If there is a genuine concern on your part then there are seal packages available to replace the system for diesel engines, however I am not 100% sure on ethanol seal packages, but there is more than likely an option for a similar systems for petrol engines.

[Stirring Moose]

Whoa! You clearly misunderstood!

I thought what you said about fuel fires spoiling your day was funny...

I actually do care about this matter, I run 10% bio in my tdi.

Very cost effective.

Ah, whoops  :embarassed: Sorry to rip into you, not my usual style. Just been getting some sarky comments from elsewhere on the forum about this and it kind of put me on edge. Sincere apologies.

S.M.