Bio Fuels, whats the verdict on pre 1998 cars?

[CarreraRSR]

Bio fuels will become more prevalent next year http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/news/default.asp?storyId=24900

For Porsche cars older than 1998, we may have a problem. Any thoughts?

Porsche:
E10 petrol is cleared for use in all Porsche vehicles with petrol engines since the 1997 model year (Boxster) and the 1998 model year (Carrera).

 

[GlennS]

Porsche they say "no"

http://www.porsche.com/uk/accessoriesandservice/classic/news/classicnews/?pool=uk&id=2011-05-23-classic

The fuel types Regular E10 (91 RON) and Unleaded E10 (95 RON) are not suitable for use in the following Porsche vehicle types: Type Year of construction 356 1950-65 911 1965-89 912 1965-69; 1976 964 1989-94 993 1994-98 959 1988-89 914 1970-77 924 1976-88 944 1981-91 968 1991-95 928 1977-95 These Porsche vehicles may not be run on E10 fuel. As an alternative, Super unleaded (98 RON) can be used. With a maximum bioethanol content of 5% (E5 fuel), Super unleaded is compatible with these vehicles.

 

[jdpef356]

Copy of previous on Fuel.
From Region 24

Ethanol Update
Hereunder is a full report following Derek Wheels TOM (Tip of Month) warning on the perils of Ethanol.
This is the latest announcement from Porsche on the subject. Porsche are basically saying no E10 in any Porsche before the 996 and Boxster. The recommendation is to put E5 Super in instead.

E10 is a fuel which contains a higher proportion of ethanol than previous petrol formulations. The "E" stands for ethanol. The number "10" indicates that the fuel contains up to 10% ethanol. Previously the proportion of ethanol in petrol was up to 5%.

E10 fuels are suitable for refueling and thus for running all Porsche vehicles as of year of construction 1996. Specifically, the Boxster (model year 1997) and Carrera (model year 1998) models onwards.

These new fuels, which can include up to 10% ethanol in the future in accordance with new statutory regulations, can be used in all new Porsche vehicles without any problems.

The fuel types Regular E10 (91 RON) and Unleaded E10 (95 RON) are not suitable for use in the following Porsche vehicle types:

Type Year of construction
356 1950-65
911 1965-89
912 1965-69; 1976
964 1989-94
993 1994-98
959 1988-89
914 1970-77
924 1976-88
944 1981-91
968 1991-95
928 1977-95

These Porsche vehicles may not be run on E10 fuel. As an alternative, Super unleaded (98 RON) can be used. With a maximum bioethanol content of 5% (E5 fuel), Super unleaded is compatible with these vehicles.

Please contact your nearest Porsche Centre for more detailed information.


_____________________________

 

[CarreraRSR]

As lifted from Pistonheads link

While this deadline is some way off, fuel companies are planning to introduce petrol with a 10 per cent bio-mix, known as E10, to the UK next year. BP is expected to be one of the first to offer the higher percentage biofuel.

To marry-up with the changes, the Department for Transport is currently considering downgrading the wording on biofuels so that only that with a greater than 10 per cent mix will have to be labelled with the words "This fuel contains more than 10 per cent biofuel."

Therefore if no warning that the fuel is E10 at the pumps, then that puts our cars under threat from mis fuelling!! That puts the previous posts suggestion of E5 only as worthless. You won't know if its E5 or E10. Only the later introduction of E15 will carry a warning.

 

[Diver944]

What part of our cars will specifically be damaged by E10?

Also note that many highly modded 944T's around the world are already running on E85 because of its excellent high boost and anti knock properties [8D]

 

[944 man]

10% can eat rubber fuel lines, seals and gaskets and 15% can, I believe, start to attack some alloys. Whether this is the aluminium i the inlet tract/cylinder head, or small alloy componenets in fuel pumps etc, dont know.

Surprisisngly, my 1999/2000 MX-5 doesnt seem to get along with anything over 5%!

 

[Robin]

These Porsche vehicles may not be run on E10 fuel. [/quote]

Interestingly my 1973 911S with mechanical fuel injection ran well over several tanks full of the French 85E10 petrol while on holiday a year ago, ( I recorded about 314 litres !). The one thing that did suffer was the fuel lines which were at least 15 years old and which have now been replaced with alcohol resistant flexible fuel pipes, (not from Porsche)
The car runs well on the fuel so why and what is the reason not to use fuel containing ethanol?
Ethyl alcohol is very hygroscopic and can contain a large amount of water and is usually denatured in some way.
Is this the reason why it should not be used? can someone fill in the blanks and not just say don't use it?

 

[jdpef356]

Robin

Also see

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=670139&mpage=1&key=&#670139

 

[944 man]

It attacks aluminium alloy too.

 

[jwindwood]

So a temporary solution would seem to be to use super unleaded-which I already do.