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Ethanol concerns?

clubsport

clubsport

PCGB Member
Member
I searched the forums and looked through the 993 FaQ and technical area and couldn't find anything definitive on this?
I have been reading on a few forums about the ethanol component increasing in fuel at the pumps and how it's not ideal for the 993.

Is there a definitive word on this as far as the 993 is concerned?
I have been using the higher octane Shell as it is convenient and hopefully consistent.
Some people are avoiding certain brands, others topping up with an additive and the majority seem to be confused like myself or just carry on regardless.
I would think PCGB has enough members running older cars for this to be a consideration, if there is a concern????
Cheers.
 
Thanks davepaul993 for the link.

I had read that, it seemed much more opinion based and I couldn't work out anything definitive amongst the confusion.
 
Hi Maurice,
Hope you are well and enjoying your car.
Thanks for your thoughts, I do recall reading your comments in the 993 section of the magazine.
Obviously, I use super 98 or higher of available...... I am trying to get my head around whether all higher octanes are ok to use depending on their chosen mix of additives?
From what you are saying, carry on using Shell higher octane for now with an eye open for future developments, which makes sense.
Cheers.
 
One word of warning if abroad. In Northern Spain last year I pulled up at a 98RON pump at one service station, then noticed the E10 label on the pump. Asked the attendant if they did E5 98, he said no, but go 5 miles down the road to the Repsol station and you'll get it. So, off to Repsol - who told me none of their fuels contain Ethanol! Not sure I believe that, but be aware that, at least in Spain and possibly elsewhere in Europe, not all 98RON is E5 or less!!
 
Just a thought, the 993 section of the forum is an excellent resource for current and prospective owners.
Would it be worth updating the Faq or Technical article section?
I read the technical article on fuel requirements for the 993, this was written some time ago and didn't appear to mention any concern between 5 & 10% ethanol content. This issue is likely to be more relevant in the near future.

I hope there aren't too many legal implications to posting recommendations as the oil companies publish their specifications online available for all to view.


 
I would personally stay away from any fuel that begins with "E". - I learnt that Germany prohibits government officials to use ethanol in their vehicles and I was sold on that conviction alone.
I was also advised that the 993 wasn't really affected by the E5, it was mainly the boxers and 996s - but in any case, reports that fuel suppliers had problems storing the stuff as it eats through the tanks was the final 'stay away' message I needed.

"If in doubt leave it out"
 
When this concern was first raised some years ago, it was only cars earlier than 1995 that were affected, could tolerate E5 but not E10 due to the lining of various fuel lines not tolerating more than 5% Ethanol. In other words, Boxster and younger were OK, 968 and older were not. This information apparently came from Porsche themselves, but as I have not bookmarked the thread (just tucked it in the memory) and can't even be 100% certain that it was on this forum rather than 968uk, I can't document it. There were also threads about the insidious advance of Ethanol in petrol, a member on one of my 4 car forums wrote to all the major petrol companies and received assurance from the majors (I remember for sure Shell and BP) that they had no plans to increase Ethanol content beyond 5% in their high octane fuels, so where normal 95RON might go >5%, the 98-99RON would not.

Be aware that in Europe a lot of 95RON is now >5% (E10) and I even found a 98RON E10 in Northern Spain - and was told at a Repsol petrol station that Repsol do not use Ethanol in any of their petrols (but I still went for the 98RON!).
 
I recall being told not so long ago that BP super unleaded contains no ethanol whatsoever and consequently feed this fuel to my 964, particularly when resting over winter.
 
i sent two emails regarding ethanol content in petrol,
to bp & shell
i have had back only one so far here is the reply below

Dear Dave Paul,


Thank you for your Email received in this office on 01-Aug-2017.

[FONT=verdana,geneva"]Please kindly be advised the ethanol content does not depend on the area, both our regular and Ultimate with Active technology fuels contain up to 5%. [FONT=verdana,geneva"][FONT=verdana,geneva"] [FONT=verdana,geneva"][FONT=verdana,geneva"]Thank you for contacting Bp and allowing us to respond to your concerns.[FONT=verdana,geneva"]
Yours sincerely,

Fanni

Retail Customer Care Team

Email: careline@bp.com

Internet:&nbsp www.bp.com


BP Oil UK Limited a company registered in England and Wales with company number 446915, VAT number GB 243 5105 93 and whose registered office is Chertsey Road, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex, TW16 7BP
 
here is shells response to question
its same as bp but does not say anything different.

Hi Dave,



Thank you for contacting Shell Technical. I apologize if no one was able to reply to your email last time.



In compliance with current UK fuels specifications, all petrol products has up to 5% ethanol. This means that, in the UK, Shell regular gasoline and Shell V-Power gasoline are likely to contain some ethanol, but it will not be present at more than 5%.



I hope this helps. Should you have any more questions, please feel free to revert to us.



Regards,

JR

Lubricants Technical Support Specialist

United Kingdom



0800 731 8888, Option 3

productinfo-UK@shell.com


 
I was advised that the 993 is much better suited to handle 5% than the newer cars that followed & agree from the scary conversations I have had that 10% is a no go zone. I also learnt along the grapevine that the German government issued a 'no use of Ethanol fuels' for official government vehicles. That is also a good to know; if it is one thing I dislike, it is hypocrisy!
 
If your car is a 968 or older, do not use E10 unless all your rubber lined fuel lines have been replaced with ethanol OK lines - which I would guess no-one has done. However, you can see from my first post on this topic that Boxster and younger cars are supposed to be OK with E10 fuels - although personally even in this country I stick to 98-99RON (V-power, Moventum or similar) as I find my car is happier on them, and with the limited mileage I do the added cost is not noticeable.
 

The good and bad about ethanol:
Ethanol is a cleaner fuel than gasoline, and it helps reduce emissions when mixed with gasoline. ... So, the more ethanol in the fuel, the worse the fuel economy you're going to get. Gasoline with 10 percent ethanol yields about 3 percent less fuel economy than straight petrol.
Ethanol is a renewable fuel because it is produced from biomass. Ethanol also burns more cleanly and completely than gasoline or diesel fuel. Ethanol reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions because the grain or other biomass used to make the ethanol absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows.
Why do we not use Ethanol as fuel? Ethanol: Contains significantly less energy per gallon than gasoline. Is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs water out of the air, which means it can damage engines due to excess water content if not handled carefully.
As stated in an old post I used an additive in my tank to combat the loss of lead in the fuel.
Information:
https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-a-brief-history-of-octane
https://www2.isye.gatech.edu/~vthomas/ethanol.pdf

Ray
 
That's a good idea Maurice, it would be a great help if PCGB could represent club members views in such a consultation.
 
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