Shell new 100 oct + Ethanol

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:04 pm

Hi all,
I don`t know if you have it in other states ( or have had it for ages ), but in Qld Shell have just released a new 100 oct fuel with ethanol. I know all about octane ratings and how engines perform with different ratings, but my question is about the ethanol.
I know it was scare mongering a few years ago when current affairs shows were showing garages putting cheap ethanol into fuels to save costs. In those days they stated it would harm your engine.
So how about today.
Is ethanol going to harm our beloved FTO engines.
I understand it`s higher rating may protect against detonation, but what about the ethanol itself. Particularly in a high performance engine like mine.
Thoughts anyone?
Jeff

Post by **Bennoz** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:13 pm

To my understanding a dangerous level of ethanol was 10% (volume of petrol) that caused damage to motors. It has a habit of hardening any rubber or plastic surface it comes in contact with - things ranging from fuel lines to valve seals.

I must say thou, I will run a few tanks through just to see what all the hub-bub is all about, but Im still not happy about it being in the fuel at all... I wont be making the switch.

G_A_V · Post by **G_A_V** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:40 pm

I saw them advertising the fuel in sydney, basically an octane rating measures how less prone the engine is to detination, a higher octane reduces the chance of engine ping or detination, what it looks like they are doing is using a high octane fuel, then adding ethanol to it to bring the price down. I have read articles that say ethanol of over 20% is fine for engines as long as they are maintained regually. But the goverment states that maximum ethanol to fuel mix is 10%.
I am keen to see how this fuel goes in the FTO, the higher octane does sound exciting, but the use of ethanol in an already aged and worn engine sounds dangerous.

kid_dynamite · Post by **kid_dynamite** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:04 pm

Optimax Extreme contains only 5% ethanol. Mainly marketed towards new cars, however Mitsubishi has stated that as much as E10 (10% ethanol blended fuel) is suitable for all its EFI cars post 1986 (taken from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries website at www.autoindustries.com.au).

Reset the ECU when it was run in my gf's FTO. Idle note has changed slightly, but seems to have improved fuel economy. In my opinion I'm sure Shell wouldn't have released it if the cons outweighed the pros.

G_A_V · Post by **G_A_V** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:45 pm

Just realised this has been posted in http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... pic&t=6431
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