Ethanol damage

[Oldmogman]

Has anyone experienced problems as the result of ethanol in petrol?

I’d heard that it can cause a sort of slime in the fuel system and even dissolve some parts in the carburettor, but hadn’t had any problems myself – until the braided fuel pipe from pump to carb sprang a leak.

I couldn't see any obvious damage so guessed it must have become porous. OK, it was 20 years old and replacement was easy enough, but it got me wondering what might be next to be perished by today’s Mickey Mouse fuel.

At the same time I came across this product http://www.ethanil.co.uk/

I'm not sure if it's overkill or the only way to avoid ethanol damage, so I’d be interested to know whether anyone experienced has ethanol-related problems with their Morris.

My mog has an HIF44 carb (developed in the good old days of proper leaded fuel) and now runs on super-unleaded, which I understand has a lower ethanol content. Is this any more/less at risk from ethanol than other carbs?

As if the loss of four- and five-star fuel wasn’t bad enough, what festering potions straight from the cauldron of the witches of Macbeth are going to be foisted on us next?!

[bmcecosse]

I think at 20 years your fuel pipe just gave up - nothing to do with ethanol... Why the huge carb ? What other mods does it have ? And why the fancy/expensive fuel - what's the CR ?

[Oldmogman]

Possibly, but the original pipe was still fine after 25-years of leaded fuel...

My car runs a 1275 engine with a 10:1 gas-flowed head, Kent cam, LCB, etc.

[bmcecosse]

Depends which 'Kent' cam....