Avoiding ethanol in fuel?

Ethanol in fuel - didn't used to be there in the '70s, up to 5% was allowable a couple of years ago, and in 2013 apparently the rules changed to allow up to 10% to be added etc.

I'd always assumed that this was "progress" and couldn't be avoided, and the only way to minimise the risk was to change your fuel hose etc but even then people are still recommending re-checking every few years. Mine has new hose but i don't know the origin of all of it, so i'm guessing that i'll need to be replaced again in the near future, maybe with the stuff the vwaircooled works say is completely "fit and forget". http://www.vwaircooledworks.co.uk/Fuel-Hose-Safety-Campaign.html

However, after a comment @Buddy Hawks made on this thread ..:
http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/go-and-check-your-fuel-lines-people.54423/page-2#post-968449
.. about some super unleaded not containing ethanol, i decided to do a bit of digging.. i mean, best way to avoid the ethanol problem has to be to not put it in the vehicle in the first place, right?!

I found a great page on the TR register where a very clever bloke had put up a bunch of info from various suppliers http://www.groups.tr-register.co.uk/wessex/ethanol-update.html unfortunately it's not clear how old that info is, and the "contact us" link does not work :-/

So, i've started to ask the fuel companies the question myself.

Responses recieved so far are:

Gulf: "..all of the fuel which Gulf supplies into its dealer network does contain up to 5% Ethanol"
BP: "..all our gasoline fuels meet or exceed the requirements of BS EN 228. According to this standard gasoline can contain up to 5%."
Texaco: "..both of our Premium and Super Unleaded grade of fuels now contain 5% Ethanol."
Total: now have Ethanol (E5) in all their fuels.
Sainsburys: "There is up to 5% which is the same as any spirit product in the UK."
Tesco: "We sell two grades of unleaded: regular 95 octane Tesco Unleaded & super unleaded Tesco Momentum99. Both contain up to 5% bio-ethanol, derived from various sources including sugar cane."
Shell: "Both Shell FuelSave Regular Unleaded and Shell V-Power Unleaded contain up to 5% ethanol as stipulated by the European fuel specification EN228 and UK government legislation."

ESSO: "Our energy Supreme Unleaded is largely ethanol free w/ the exception of Scotland, nth eastern corner and far sth west England."

For now, i'll aim to use only the Esso super. Luckily there's one pretty close.

http://www.essofuelfinder.co.uk/

 

Nice work - thanks for sharing

 

Is 5% bad? Would it that still cause problems? As said previously Bp ultimate has caused no problems at all in 10 years

Someone on here said once it may go to to 20% one day and new cars are ready to accept 20%

I think at higher percentage it also starts effecting older metal fuel tanks and bits inside of the carburettor as well

We might all be off the road one day

 

No response from Total themselves, but it looks like they also have 5% in all of their fuels http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=116492

 

Long term the answer is to switch to super unleaded which I believe will stay as E5 when the lesser fuels become E10.
Or go back to using 4* if you can find it and afford it.

 

This is precisely why I always buy organic gasoline from Waitrose.

 

@snotty seen here filling his car up at waitrose

 

It's organic papaya!

 

Do u think ethanol could b the reason my carb needs cleaning out again after 3 weeks sat in the garage?

 

No.

 

Marmite in the carb?
I'll have a go but it might overflow....

 

Is that your best chat-up line ?

 

Noooo, I use "would you like to see my elephant" as I turn my pockets inside out.

 

Since ethanol and water mix (eg whisky) could adding ethanol to petrol also introduce water and its attendant corrosion problems?

 

I worry quite a bit about this ethanol percentage , this could be the perfect way for the government to get rid of all old crocks off the road without placing a blanket ban which would create havoc . But this way ...perfect .

 

But having said that 1.9 vw diesels here we come !

 

I have one already, its called a T5. I'm leading the way.

 

I think so. Can't remember if I read it or was told this, but I think the ethanol attracts water from the atmosphere, then if you leave the vehicle for a while, say parked up over winter, the water seperates out and sits on the bottom of the tank.

 

response from shell:

"Regarding your concern, Both Shell FuelSave Regular Unleaded and Shell V-Power Unleaded contain up to 5% ethanol as stipulated by the European fuel specification EN228 and UK government legislation. At Shell, we are passionate about fuel, and our dedicated fuel scientists work continuously in the lab to bring you the most advanced and effective fuels.
Most vehicles manufactured after 1991 are suitable for petrol with 5% ethanol. For vehicles older than this or for those that have any specific design features or modifications, we strongly recommend that customers consult their vehicle manufacturer to determine whether their vehicle is compatible with ethanol-containing fuels before filling up. "

Yeah, ok i'll just ring VW before i fill up then..