Ethanol - Should I be worried

Dirty · 15-10-2013, 09:52 PM

Read an article in Motorcycle Monthly today about ethanol in fuel and came away with the impression that my bike is slowly being eaten away from inside by this evil insidious green planet friendly bio fuel! Is it just hype? It suggested 5 things to do at the end which didn't really put my mind at rest. It included drain it, ride it and buy good fuel!

http://www.motorcyclemonthly.co.uk/C...onthly-on-line

slob · 15-10-2013, 10:18 PM

I think so, I avoid E90 at all costs.
It's also a complete con
http://www.actionaid.org.uk/food-not...-with-biofuels

15-10-2013, 10:33 PM

Not hype - it causes the tank on certain bikes to expand too!
and as pointed out skews the world economy and people's food supply in the proces

Flip · 15-10-2013, 10:35 PM

As I understand it only E10 is sold in the UK at the moment- that being a 10% mix of added Ethanol?

I know in the States and South America they have E85 and E90 available at the pumps as a lot of the drag racers (that's motor vehicles not men in women's clothing)use it as it is actually a higher octane rating the regular petrol.

Aside from the obvious and well documented corrosive problems this is having on vehicles not specifically designed to use it, it also has an effect on the carburation in that the more Ethanol in the fuel the leaner the burn.

Oh and if you have ever wondered why the nice MoT tester wants a look inside your fuel cap these days that'll be the Ethanol- he's checking the sealing rubber isn't getting eaten away by it.

As Dr D says regarding fuel tanks (look out all you Monster Dark riders) it's causing no end of problems in the racing world with the frequent use of fibreglass and composite fuel tanks. Lots of the classic racers (myself included) have had to go the aluminium route to avoid problems.

This is a good informative read on the effects etc.

http://www.groups.tr-register.co.uk/...ol-update.html

15-10-2013, 10:48 PM

Most current RON95 is 5% Ethanol; some current RON97 is 0% Ethanol (eg Esso Super unleaded)
E10 has been put back, and no obligation that ALL fuel should be E10.
All pumps at petrol stations should be marked E0, E5, E10.

15-10-2013, 10:58 PM

If you want the DofT perspective : http://webarchive.nationalarchives.g...tudyreport.pdf
MAg in Yorkshire has really useful site: http://www.righttoride.eu/?p=10457

slob · 16-10-2013, 06:22 AM

I may have got my E10 and E90 mixed up there, whichever it is it's a clearly different choice at many pumps in Europe

chris yeatman · 16-10-2013, 06:41 AM

so as i mainly use shell opitimax fuel high octane what E numbers is that likely to have in it?

16-10-2013, 07:09 AM

The Shell RON97 is thought to be E5. The BP, Esso and Total are E0

Dave G · 16-10-2013, 08:15 AM

This has been well documented in the US, avoid the E10 stuff, especially if you have a plastic tank as it will deform this eventually.

pompone · 16-10-2013, 09:00 AM

You should be worried, very worried

but in all honesty I think the ethanol is the least of worries in your case..

jonzi · 16-10-2013, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pompone

You should be worried, very worried

but in all honesty I think the ethanol is the least of worries in your case..

pompone · 16-10-2013, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonzi

Says the man that called people old only yesterday

jonzi · 16-10-2013, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pompone

Says the man that called people old only yesterday

Yesterday? I remember doing saying it when we went for that ride out, but the old man probably doesn't remember.

Dirty · 16-10-2013, 11:24 AM

And I always thought petrol was petrol. Well in fact it is. Aside from the premium brands of course which are slightly different and proprietary. I'll stop filling up at Sainsburys now!

15-10-2013, 09:52 PM	#1
Dirty Bockloks Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 4,601	Ethanol - Should I be worried Read an article in Motorcycle Monthly today about ethanol in fuel and came away with the impression that my bike is slowly being eaten away from inside by this evil insidious green planet friendly bio fuel! Is it just hype? It suggested 5 things to do at the end which didn't really put my mind at rest. It included drain it, ride it and buy good fuel! http://www.motorcyclemonthly.co.uk/C...onthly-on-line

15-10-2013, 10:33 PM	#3
DrD Guest Posts: n/a	Not hype - it causes the tank on certain bikes to expand too! and as pointed out skews the world economy and people's food supply in the proces Last edited by DrD; 15-10-2013 at 10:35 PM..

15-10-2013, 10:35 PM	#4
Flip Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Beachtown Bike: M900 Posts: 2,188	As I understand it only E10 is sold in the UK at the moment- that being a 10% mix of added Ethanol? I know in the States and South America they have E85 and E90 available at the pumps as a lot of the drag racers (that's motor vehicles not men in women's clothing)use it as it is actually a higher octane rating the regular petrol. Aside from the obvious and well documented corrosive problems this is having on vehicles not specifically designed to use it, it also has an effect on the carburation in that the more Ethanol in the fuel the leaner the burn. Oh and if you have ever wondered why the nice MoT tester wants a look inside your fuel cap these days that'll be the Ethanol- he's checking the sealing rubber isn't getting eaten away by it. As Dr D says regarding fuel tanks (look out all you Monster Dark riders) it's causing no end of problems in the racing world with the frequent use of fibreglass and composite fuel tanks. Lots of the classic racers (myself included) have had to go the aluminium route to avoid problems. This is a good informative read on the effects etc. http://www.groups.tr-register.co.uk/...ol-update.html __________________ You're perfect, yes, it's true- But without me you're only you! Last edited by Flip; 15-10-2013 at 10:41 PM..

15-10-2013, 10:58 PM	#6
DrD Guest Posts: n/a	If you want the DofT perspective : http://webarchive.nationalarchives.g...tudyreport.pdf MAg in Yorkshire has really useful site: http://www.righttoride.eu/?p=10457 Last edited by DrD; 15-10-2013 at 11:02 PM..

16-10-2013, 06:41 AM	#8
chris yeatman I still have the s4r! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: salisbury, wiltshire Bike: S4r Posts: 1,896	so as i mainly use shell opitimax fuel high octane what E numbers is that likely to have in it? __________________ What's that coming over the hill.......

15-10-2013, 10:18 PM	#2
slob . Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East London Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 9,710	I think so, I avoid E90 at all costs. It's also a complete con http://www.actionaid.org.uk/food-not...-with-biofuels

15-10-2013, 10:48 PM	#5
DrD Guest Posts: n/a	Most current RON95 is 5% Ethanol; some current RON97 is 0% Ethanol (eg Esso Super unleaded) E10 has been put back, and no obligation that ALL fuel should be E10. All pumps at petrol stations should be marked E0, E5, E10.

16-10-2013, 06:22 AM	#7
slob . Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East London Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 9,710	I may have got my E10 and E90 mixed up there, whichever it is it's a clearly different choice at many pumps in Europe

16-10-2013, 07:09 AM	#9
DrD Guest Posts: n/a	The Shell RON97 is thought to be E5. The BP, Esso and Total are E0

16-10-2013, 08:15 AM	#10
Dave G Imagineer Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Kilbride Bike: S2r Posts: 999	This has been well documented in the US, avoid the E10 stuff, especially if you have a plastic tank as it will deform this eventually. __________________ "One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man" -Elbert Hubbard

16-10-2013, 09:00 AM	#11
pompone MaleDucati Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: London Bike: M900 Posts: 817	You should be worried, very worried but in all honesty I think the ethanol is the least of worries in your case.. __________________ www.desmoperformanceparts.com

16-10-2013, 11:24 AM	#15
Dirty Bockloks Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 4,601	And I always thought petrol was petrol. Well in fact it is. Aside from the premium brands of course which are slightly different and proprietary. I'll stop filling up at Sainsburys now!