I don’t disagree, but to be honest none of US mortal peasants know exactly what is in which brand.
I can say I have never known anyone to have an engine problem because they used supermarket fuel. Yes because of wrong fuel delivered to the wrong tank and water.
Anyway I am off for a coffee 
Wouldn’t worry about it
3 years ago
13 years ago
15 years ago
11 months ago
https://forum.mx5oc.co.uk/t/e10-fuel-alleged-implications/107274/6
10 years ago:
Bit of a pattern there.
I haven’t yet found an report of a Mita catching fire because of a ethanol-rotted out fuel tank or fuel lines.
I can tell you know that nearly all petrol is the same no matter where you get it from. All companies pick it up from the Terminals and it comes from the same bulk storage tanks direct to your petrol pumps. The only difference is the grade of petrol.
That’s true about the source, but the difference is that the big companies, Shell, BP, Esso etc. put additives in the tankers that transport the fuel to its destination whilst the small independents just transport and deliver the raw basic fuel. So “yes” it is the same when collected but not necessarily the same at the pump.
1 Like
There is no blending of fuel in tankers, this is done at the terminal where tests are conducted to ensure it is “on spec”. What they do is “mark” the fuel so that any traces and subsequent tests on the fuel can be traced back to source. What I am not 100% sure of is that the majors will have fuel in their own “non co-mingled” tanks. There is likely to be some additives at that point perhaps.
1 Like
Reading a lot about this just now, having two older examples.
Allegedly, there are products to compensate.
Then again, there are products to compensate almost everything including single malts.
According to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 92.2% of vehicles will already be compatible with E10. The remaining 7.8%, roughly 1.5 million, are at risk. Research carried out by the RAC Foundation revealed the top ten cars that are incompatible with E10.
- Volkswagen Gold – 28,066
- MG MGB – 20,890
- Mazda MX-5 – 18,162
- Nissan Micra – 15,785
- Morris Minor – 12,796
- Rover 25 – 9897
- MG MGF – 9352
- Ford Escort – 8947
- Rover Mini – 7614
- MG TF – 7568
Which iteration of the MX5?
I believe Mk1’s & mk2 / 2.5 NBFL.
No validation I’ve seen, but it would be reasonable to think we are talking of older cars.
Given E10 is around a third less of a flash-point than fuel, and is a plant- based extract it is in my opinion an utter waste of arable-land usage, and in keeping with environmental future targets. In short…a load of old kok. Never the less, we are stuck with it.
5 Likes
Copied from:
https://www.acea.be/uploads/publications/ACEA_E10_compatibility.pdf
Mazda
E10 petrol is cleared for use in all models with petrol engines introduced in and from the
year 2002, Mazda6 (GG/GY) and models with petrol engines introduced thereafter.
1 Like
Thanks.
Looks like the wife’s 2002 Sport is ok then.
2002 is borderline, because you need the build date. Mazda aren’t saying which parts are not compatible, and probably aren’t interested in saying so. US experience suggests E10 is ok with older MX5s, but its possible the US has a different definition of E10, since it might be “up to” 10% v/v ethanol.
Continental European MX5 owners seem to be sticking to E5, and paying the extra.
1 Like
I can’t find anything specific; just this from the ‘What Car’ website.
‘It is believed that the higher bioethanol content in E10 petrol could dislodge deposits in older engines and fuel systems, causing blockages; it could also cause some seals, gaskets, metals and plastics to corrode.’
The words ‘believed’ and ‘could’ show how vague it is. You’d need to know the effect of the ethanol on the specific materials in the fuel system. Ethanol is miscible with water, so long term storage and possible condensation may cause problems as the ethanol/water mix may cause issues.
Forgetting about the whole rotting rubber fuel lines, making a car harder to start, destruction of catalytic converters [is that irony?], 3% less fuel economy and the corrosion of certain metal components. Possibly the worst part of this is that somewhere they’ll be cutting down forests to grow grain for fuel to reduce the headline carbon dioxide output with little regard for the amount of CO2 that would have been absorbed by the forest that is no longer there.
4 Likes
An interesting article from Classics world…
[https://classicsworld.co.uk/news/e10-petrol-set-for-introduction/]
Totally agree!!! 
2 Likes
I suspect that the Morris Minor and Leyland Mini are on the list because both use SU diaphragm type fuel pumps; the original diaphragm is made of a rubber based material which doesn’t cope well with ethanol. Some carburettor parts, such as the the plastic float and rubber o rings are likely to be adversely affected, too. Thankfully, compatible materials are available and used in modern replacement parts.
Hopefully, the same will apply to aftermarket parts for the earlier MX-5s.
Crikey! I’ve got at least 3 vehicles that are going to need this additive! Wonder how much shares in Lucas Oils are going for at the moment?
Russ
I was told that apprently (somewhere on the internet) there’s information that states they could both (so I presume any A-series engine car) run on pure ethanol with the aftermarket parts you mentioned fitted let alone E10.
At least that article @Robh15 linked to says we have a 5 year grace period where E5 wiill sitll be available as super unleaded for those who buy super unleaded.
All the above said, it wouldn’t be too big an issue to use additives in the tank. I see Valve Master Plus and Millers VSPe (both heritage approved) have ethanol stabiliers for E5 and 10 so it’s not too big a hassle to use them (already do with my Minor).
Mine is a 2012 and is OK but I only use Shell Super unleaded anyway so as long as that stays on sale it will be fine.
Having just dragged the Morris Minor out of the lockup after 6 years storage I can vouch for the destructive qualities of E5 never mind E10 petrol. The old girl went into interment because the fuel pump had packed up, I’ve had LOTS of other stuff to be involved with between then and now. I disconnected the pump from the car and dismantled the SU pump. The diaphragm was rock hard! The refurb kit was about £30 and now it’s back to that lovely characteristic tick, tick, ticking noise when you first turn the ignition key. I was stunned at how solid the old diaphragm had become. This doesn’t bode well for all the seals and gaskets in MX5 and others’ fuel systems. Maybe an enterprising bod will come up with a refurb seals kit that can be fitted before one of us has a catastrophic engine bay fire?
Cheers!
Russ