Most cars built after 2000 are OK. E10 contains Ethanol, a solvent. It can attack and “strip-out” zinc, brass, copper, aluminium, seals, cork, leather, polyurethane and epoxy resins if left uninhibited. Ethanol also likes to absorb water leading to corrosion. The RAC believe up to 600,000 cars are not compatible with the new fuel but hey the government and oil companies don’t seem to give a damn. Super unleaded is staying at E5 for another 5 years, so less Ethanol. So use fuel with low or no Ethanol or make some changes. Change your fuel lines to Ethanol compatible, consider your fuel tank and if fibreglass or lined with affected materials then change it. A soldered carb float may fail so carry a spare. Read up on lead replacement additives as they may contain Ethanol stabiliser. Also read-up on such as Millers Ethanol protection additive and Lucas oil Ethanol fuel conditioner and your owners club. Check the fbhvc.co.uk website too. Synthetic fuels are on the horizon, maybe they will help?
