I posted this up on the x19 owners club as I found it interesting and educational, hope you guys will also like it!
Acknowledgement to Paul Ireland of the MG T-Type club ( ttypes.org/ttt2/ ) for these excellent articles on classic engines and modern fuels.
Whilst the test subject revolves around the XPAG engine and modern fuel, some very interesting facts emerge from these articles that readers may find useful. I certainly want aware of the move to Ethanol 10% based fuel or the variability summer/winter in supply of petrol throughout the year. Hope you find the articles as interesting as I did.
http://ttypes.org/ttt2/modern-petrol-an ... xpag-tests
http://ttypes.org/ttt2/manchester-xpag- ... volatility
http://ttypes.org/ttt2/suck-squeeze-ban ... xpag-tests
http://ttypes.org/ttt2/manchester-xpag- ... odern-fuel
http://ttypes.org/ttt2/manchester-xpag- ... art-1-fuel
http://ttypes.org/ttt2/manchester-xpag- ... rburettors
http://ttypes.org/ttt2/manchester-xpag- ... ion-timing
Modern fuel and classics
Re: Modern fuel and classics
Very interesting. Thanks for posting the links.
1976 1.5Ti
1977 1.2Ti
1989 1.7 Sprint Veloce
1989 75TS
2003 147 2.0TS Lusso
2004 MX5 1.8S
2002 1.6 Focus LX
1977 1.2Ti
1989 1.7 Sprint Veloce
1989 75TS
2003 147 2.0TS Lusso
2004 MX5 1.8S
2002 1.6 Focus LX
Re: Modern fuel and classics
Great. That chaps knows his onions.
One question and not sure if anyone will know the answer;
If Paraffin is useful to add to the fuel and if I am correct it absorbs water, will it stop the formation of ethanol and water mix in the bottom of the carb / tank.
One question and not sure if anyone will know the answer;
If Paraffin is useful to add to the fuel and if I am correct it absorbs water, will it stop the formation of ethanol and water mix in the bottom of the carb / tank.
Re: Modern fuel and classics
As far as I understand paraffin will break down over time and absorb water so i believe it won’t have any affect on the water absorption of ethanol. The recommendation is not to store paraffin for long periods in ‘open’ containers...same as the articles saying don’t leave E5/10 petrol in your tank for long periods.
Re: Modern fuel and classics
Makes sense, great. Thanks. 
Re: Modern fuel and classics
Maybe got this wrong but doesn't Redex contain paraffin?
Re: Modern fuel and classics
A friend just pointed this out to me:
“The majority of unleaded 95 Octane petrol sold in the UK contains up to 5% ethanol as required under the Government’s Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO).
There is currently no requirement for renewable fuel (such as ethanol) to be present in super unleaded (97 grade petrol).
Esso super unleaded petrol (Synergy Supreme+ Unleaded 97) is ethanol free (except in Devon, Cornwall, the Teesside area and Scotland). We would therefore advise anyone who has concerns about the presence of ethanol in petrol to use Synergy Supreme+ – providing they do not fill up in Devon or Cornwall, the Teesside area or Scotland.”
“The majority of unleaded 95 Octane petrol sold in the UK contains up to 5% ethanol as required under the Government’s Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO).
There is currently no requirement for renewable fuel (such as ethanol) to be present in super unleaded (97 grade petrol).
Esso super unleaded petrol (Synergy Supreme+ Unleaded 97) is ethanol free (except in Devon, Cornwall, the Teesside area and Scotland). We would therefore advise anyone who has concerns about the presence of ethanol in petrol to use Synergy Supreme+ – providing they do not fill up in Devon or Cornwall, the Teesside area or Scotland.”
