Has anyone used this? Gets good reviews from the classic car fraternity. I am thinking mainly for extending fuel hose life & less gum in the carbs.
The inner bit that's exposed to ethanol doesn't crack though, it's the outer layer that's attacked by ozone. Never had any gum in the carbs either. And none of the rubber parts have dissolved. I often wonder what all the fuss is about. All I can think of is the ethanol absorbs water to if you don't actually drive your van the water can cause problems.
I think but I cant trace facts.... that the greater part of the ethanol panic is down to the fact that in the USA the ethanol comes from fermented corn. And that there are some additional contaminants in the fuel as a result, producing more varnish. Over here in the UK I believe our fuel is generally better quality than in the US so many near-snake-oil things the Americans do may not be as relevant. I have had corrosion in a carburettor... but that engine was running as it hit the sea, pulled out by the safety cord a moment later... Otherwise keep your fuel tank full, filler cap sealed, breathers connected properly, and the space above the fuel will be mostly fuel vapour not moist air so absorbtion of water will be less.
I used it last winter. Useful when in storage. It seemed to drive' happier' or smoother. If you use cheap petrol will see more improvement. In the end I tried super unleaded,esso, but now they say all fuel is just 5% ethanol.??? All I know is it drives better without ethanol, and the Lucas additive won't hurt.
i have started using it following way out westie's article on it. https://www.wayoutwestie.com/aircooled-tech/ethanol/
That's what's got me interested in it, too. So far all info on there has been spot on. Nice chap as well.
As ethanol improves octane rating, the more the merrier, providing you re-tune for it. Most fuel problems happen because you are leaving it lying around. Ethanol or no, the volatile compounds that help starting evaporate faster. I watched a video from the Workshop where Matt finds a government laboratory report from the USA which show that water absorbtion into the ethanol happens slower than the volatiles vanish. The problem with that report is they conclude that petrol lasts 3 months in a polyethylene can, but at 27-35 degrees C. As generally our climate is colder than that, petrol will last a lot longer - my outboard motor uses a polyethylene can of 2 stroke mix that I top up about once every 6 months, no problem with the fuel.
I found the petrol in my MG carb bowls went off after 3 months and would not fire up, drained out and refilled with fresh and started up first turn. Now use the car more often and keep tank topped up with fresh fuel.
