Classic Alfa Forums

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

Very interesting. Thanks for posting the links.

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.

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.

Makes sense, great. Thanks.

Maybe got this wrong but doesn't Redex contain paraffin?

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.”