Post by garethb on Apr 26, 2012 20:42:16 GMT
While looking at the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs I came across the results of their tests which simulated amongst other things simulated storage in a vehicles fuel tank for 12 months.. A Number were tested but the ones that they recomend to protect against the effects of ethanol are:
Millers VSPe Power Plus- An “ALL IN ONE” fuel treatment providing ethanol protection, lead replacement and an octane improver that adds up to two octane numbers (20 points) to unleaded fuel. Recommended for all classic engines previously requiring leaded fuel and now running on unleaded fuel. (I've been using this for the past 12 months and Millers VSP for 6 years before).
Millers VSPe- A fuel treatment providing ethanol protection and a lead replacement additive to prevent valve seat recession which can occur when using unleaded petrol. Note: - Does not contain any octane improver. Recommended for all classic engines previously requiring leaded fuel now running on unleaded fuel and where an octane improver is not required
Millers EPS- A fuel treatment providing ethanol protection only. Note: - Does not contain a lead replacement or octane improver. Recommended for rebuilt classic engines / vehicles with hardened valve seats previously requiring leaded fuel and now running on unleaded fuel and where an octane improver and lead replacement are not required.
Ethomix from Frost- Ethomix additive prevents corrosion in the fuel system and internal engine components and neutralizes any acid formation. From the information I have seen, this doesn't appear to have any lead replacement in it so if you don't have an unleaded conversion, you might need additional fuel additives.
Ethanolmate from Flexolite- is a NEW product for use with ethanol-containing petrol which has been designed as a corrosion inhibitor, stability improver and biocide. Added to the tank when re-fuelling this help prevent degradation in storage in the fuel tank. It provides excellent protection against possible corrosion through increased acidity which can occur when petrol containing ethanol is stored for any length of time. Dispensed from a plastic bottle (with graduated optic) at refuelling time this is the simple way of protecting your vehicle from the harmful effects of ethanol. (Appears identical to the Frost branded product so additional additives may be needed unless you have had an unleaded conversion).
It is unclear however if these additives resolve other material compatibility issues such as the effects ethanol in fuel will have on rubber diaphrams in fuel pumps and carberettors. However I have been told by some refurbishers of carberettors and rubber fuel pipe suppliers that these are now made from materials that are compatible with fuels containing ethanol. So this just leaves compatibility issues with the internal materials in fuel pumps.
Millers VSPe Power Plus- An “ALL IN ONE” fuel treatment providing ethanol protection, lead replacement and an octane improver that adds up to two octane numbers (20 points) to unleaded fuel. Recommended for all classic engines previously requiring leaded fuel and now running on unleaded fuel. (I've been using this for the past 12 months and Millers VSP for 6 years before).
Millers VSPe- A fuel treatment providing ethanol protection and a lead replacement additive to prevent valve seat recession which can occur when using unleaded petrol. Note: - Does not contain any octane improver. Recommended for all classic engines previously requiring leaded fuel now running on unleaded fuel and where an octane improver is not required
Millers EPS- A fuel treatment providing ethanol protection only. Note: - Does not contain a lead replacement or octane improver. Recommended for rebuilt classic engines / vehicles with hardened valve seats previously requiring leaded fuel and now running on unleaded fuel and where an octane improver and lead replacement are not required.
Ethomix from Frost- Ethomix additive prevents corrosion in the fuel system and internal engine components and neutralizes any acid formation. From the information I have seen, this doesn't appear to have any lead replacement in it so if you don't have an unleaded conversion, you might need additional fuel additives.
Ethanolmate from Flexolite- is a NEW product for use with ethanol-containing petrol which has been designed as a corrosion inhibitor, stability improver and biocide. Added to the tank when re-fuelling this help prevent degradation in storage in the fuel tank. It provides excellent protection against possible corrosion through increased acidity which can occur when petrol containing ethanol is stored for any length of time. Dispensed from a plastic bottle (with graduated optic) at refuelling time this is the simple way of protecting your vehicle from the harmful effects of ethanol. (Appears identical to the Frost branded product so additional additives may be needed unless you have had an unleaded conversion).
It is unclear however if these additives resolve other material compatibility issues such as the effects ethanol in fuel will have on rubber diaphrams in fuel pumps and carberettors. However I have been told by some refurbishers of carberettors and rubber fuel pipe suppliers that these are now made from materials that are compatible with fuels containing ethanol. So this just leaves compatibility issues with the internal materials in fuel pumps.