E 10 again

[stuffedpike20]

My local supermarket has just stopped selling E5 petrol, and now only sells E10.

I don't do many miles in my minor and sometimes don't use it for weeks on end.
My SU fuel pump is 10 years old.
If I am going to have to use E10 petrol, what should I change on the car? Is a solid float needed, for example?

Thanks
John

[King Kenny]

Hi John. You will probably get a hundred different answers to this on. Some say the fuel pump diaphram need replacing. Someone told me that if I used E10 my carburetter would dissolve. I have only changed the flexible fuel pipe in my Traveller. My reasoning is that if anything else goes wrong I will fix it.

[ManyMinors]

I would probably either look for another garage which does sell E5 (That's what I do) OR try one of the additives available. If you don't cover many miles anyway then the extra cost will not be great.

[Guildbass]

Hi John. You will probably get a hundred different answers to this on. Some say the fuel pump diaphram need replacing. Someone told me that if I used E10 my carburetter would dissolve. I have only changed the flexible fuel pipe in my Traveller. My reasoning is that if anything else goes wrong I will fix it.

The only personal adverse effect I've had from E10 was on my '76 BMW 750 and on that, the plastic carb floats absorbed liquid and sank. Some plastics and 'rubbers' can become porous. The plastic fuel tanks on Honda enduro bikes would shed their adhesive graphics due to that.
I use 'super' in the Moggie, the '67 Viva and the '78 Yamaha 500. Cuz I hate chasing fuel leaks!

[stuffedpike20]

Thanks folks.

It is very annoying that Sainsburys have stopped the E5, I thought they were selling quite a bit of it.
I would have to go out of my way to find a petrol station selling E5 now.
I thought my 10 year old SU fuel pump would be ok with E5.
A solid float ,and float chamber gasket seems to cost about £25.
I'm also concerned that E10 might eat through the petrol tank.

[oliver90owner]

I'm also concerned that E10 might eat through the petrol tank.

You have a replacement tank?

[stuffedpike20]

No. And I have a very good (at the moment) tank fitted!

[olonas]

"I'm also concerned that E10 might eat through the petrol tank."

In a steel tank, no it shouldn't. The Ethanol attracts water/moisture which could cause corrosion in a steel tank. What effect it could have on a plastic tank made from non Ethanol friendly material no idea.
I remove the Ethanol if it's E10 and to date, the E5 I usually use has very little or no Ethanol content.
The fuel pump, fuel line from pump to carb and the carb float fitted are all allegedly Ethanol resistant.

[svenedin]

We have discussed this many times before. As has already been said, ethanol is hygroscopic and so the fuel can become contaminated with water. Petrol is lighter than water and it floats on water so the water sits at the bottom of the fuel tank and rusts it. It is worse than that because the ethanol can oxidise to ethanoic acid (vinegar) which further attacks metals especially the aluminium alloy of the carburettor. This problem is worse with cars that stand idle for long periods especially with partially empty fuel tanks. To reduce the risk of the problem I would use a fuel additive such as "STA-BIL" and top up the tank if the car is not going to be used for weeks. Some people drain the fuel tank completely if the car is not going to be used all winter.

The second problem is that E10 goes off rather quickly and this can lead to starting problems and poor engine running. Again a fuel stabiliser can help.

The third issue is plastics and rubbers that are not ethanol tolerant. Ensure the flexible fuel hose from fuel pump to carburettor is rated for ethanol containing fuel. Personally, I do not like braided fuel hose as the condition of the hose cannot be seen. The small o-ring where the small fuel line from the float bowl to the jet should be replaced with one made from Viton as a leak here can be dangerous. Some people replace the float with an "unsinkable" float but in theory a nylon float should not be affected.

Stephen

[stuffedpike20]

Thanks for the replies.

I think for the time being, i will go out of my way to the petrol station that still sells E5!

[millerman]

I use E10, no fuel additives!
The only mod I've carried out is purchasing a length of ethanol resistant fuel pipe from our local motor factor to run from the fuel pump to carb
My question has anyone had any problems proven to be directly attributable to using E10 petrol in their Minor??

[Ingles49]

The Morris Minor specialist dealer where I bought my Minor told me to use Miller Oils VSPe (availaible on the internet). They swear by it. I have used it for 10000 miles sometimes filling with E5 but often E10. I have had absolutely no problems. It costs around £30 which will work for 500 litres of petrol.

[oliver90owner]

The Morris Minor specialist dealer where I bought my Minor told me to use Miller Oils VSPe (availaible on the internet). They swear by it. I have used it for 10000 miles sometimes filling with E5 but often E10. I have had absolutely no problems. It costs around £30 which will work for 500 litres of petrol.

Devil’s advocate question might be “ what problem did it cure or avoid?” Possibly none at all, in which case you may have squandered the best part of £100?