Bio fuels in petrol & classic vehicles

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Bio fuels in petrol & classic vehicles; Corrosion problems of Ethanol.
Topic Started: Apr 16 2008, 09:01 AM (442 Views)
neil cairns	Apr 16 2008, 09:01 AM Post #1
Newbie Posts: 13 Group: Members Member #12 Joined: September 30, 2006	We now have 2.5% of bio fuel added to our petrol. Bio fuels contain Ethanol, which according to a metallurgist has the following properties;- " There are some reported problems with ethanol and aluminium alloys. These are mainly due to the fact that ethanol absorbs any water that is around and it is probably this that reacts with the aluminium in an oxygenating environment. Ethanol is not transmitted in petrol pipelines for this reason, it reacts with the steel in the presence of water. Ethanol is an OXIDISING AGENT in fuel. The corrosion rate increases with temperature." Unquote. So, any carburettor made of aluminium or zinc alloy, or fuel pump, or tank gauge unit is at risk. Any carburettor sited near a hot engine will suffer even more. Any experts out there who can tell us how to stop our fuel systems corroding away? The VMCC has recommended draining down the float chambers of vintage motorbikes. What does the CVPG say? NC.



admin	Apr 16 2008, 10:09 AM Post #2
Administrator Posts: 113 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: May 28, 2006	I remember similar concerns being expressed on some Australian classic vehicle forums last year when their government required all petrol to contain 2% ethanol. There seem, so far, to be little follow up on the Australian experience. It may be too early for the effect to have been seen or may be at such low concentrations there is little or no effect. I will ask the question on the Aussie forum.



Martyn	Apr 16 2008, 02:18 PM Post #3
Newbie Posts: 23 Group: Members Member #26 Joined: November 19, 2006	Worth noting that a product, probably containing ethanol, is sold to mix with the fuel and remove water that has built up. The actual need is probably small as I've never used it. At a guess, no one should need it any more! The comment about oxygenating environments though is an oddity, as a thin film of aluminium oxide rapidly forms on any aluminium surface exposed to air, and is singularly tough. Maybe some exotic alloys differ, I don't know. Should be monitored though and had I realised it was coming two years ago when I put a new fuel tank in the four wheeled Morgan I'd have 'painted' the tank insides with tank sealant just to be safe.



neil cairns	Apr 19 2008, 09:13 AM Post #4
Newbie Posts: 13 Group: Members Member #12 Joined: September 30, 2006	I seem to remember cases of solder in fuel pipelines being eaten away in Australia some year ago. Cars were bursting into flames as the petrol poured onto exhaust manifolds. Pure aluminium will form a corroded surface that 'seals' itself. But when an alloy it may not be so stable. Zinc alloys as in SU and AMAL carburetters are very prone to this ethanol corrosion I am told. NC.


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