E10 Fuel

[doodah]

Can the triples run on it without damage?
Will the government be phasing out E5 over the coming years?

[husson73]

when I have no choose I have used it but very seldom (one tank all 2 ou 3 years!)for just one tank no trouble but didn't trash the engine with such fuel

[malc87]

I try to never use it.
Esso supreme for me in our area (Cheshire) is ethanol free.
In some areas (tends to be the more remote ones) It is in Esso and its only because the lazy bastards are using someone elses fuel under the esso name as its cheaper for them to do that!!

[Nigel S]

During the weekend in Blackpool, I had to use 1 tank of E10 fuel (we all did on the ride out).
Must admit I was not happy about it but needs must. I do not know what harm it does to the engine, but would think it's better not to use it if possible.

[mraxl]

E10 is safe to use. In the USA it is difficult to find anything else.

[Rickm]

Not an expert, but I believe any problems that might arise will come from longer-term use.
The overall octane rating should be the same, but the ethanol content can affect certain types of seal and some older alloys.
If you have to use it as a one-off then you should be ok as long as you fill up with ethanol free soon after and run the bike to dilute and clear the old shite out.
Just don't leave a full tank of E10 sitting in the tank and carbs over winter !

[Collyolly]

I understand that the 10 relates to ‘up to 10% ethanol’ the actual percentage is down to the supplier/manufacturer of the fuel as there are cost implications.
Ethanol is Hygroscopic, which means it absorbs water, so at certain times of year, for instance when you see condensation in your garage, your fuel tank which breaths will allow the fuel to take in water.
I think the manufacture cut off date for cars being safely able to use this fuel is around 2008 so bikes made in the 70’s are probably going to suffer some problems, usually rubber, and of course steel tanks due to the water.
I always fill up with Esso supreme as although E5 it does not contain any Ethanol there is plenty on the internet about it.
I am sure a tank full of fuel containing Ethanol would not do any harm at all but I would not leave it festering over the winter in the bike.

[Tilly H2C]

One thing to watch with Ethanol is with a modern car/bike we have 02 sensors which can alter the effective AFR (air fuel ratio) Ethanol has a much higher octane rating than normal fuel, from memory it's
around 112? It is also (like petrol to diesel) lower in calories, that means it will do less mpg than 'pure' fuel which is OK in a 02 sensored car as it will adjust/compensate the amount injected but not so with our triples which
may start to run weak.

As a 'JFI' a lot of the serious HP car enthusiasts use E85 (85% Ethanol), im talking 850hp turbo's stuff like Audi TTRS/RS6 etc, they fit aftermarket ECU with a 'fuel flex' detector which knows the % Ethanol and adjusts acoordingly normally through injectors that are close to twice the flow rate to cope with the required extra fuel for using Ethanol and the increased boost/timing to get the extra hp, and we are talking around 25% extra hp when set up to use E85

But as said it is no use (long term or in winter sleep mode) in our triples as everything is capable of venting to atmosphere and thus absorbing moisture

[Tartan Triple]

it is terrible, my bike ran like a bag of spanners all the way round Paris after filling with it at Calais, dumped it and put in 98,back to normal

[husson73]

Beware when you jump of the shuttle from the Tunnel at Calais.
The first petrol station just after the train exit have petrol pumps with 98 but not all.
some gave only E10.
Have a look if you refueling here.
BTW if you do not refueling here and you go directly by the highway to Paris the first petrol station is around 60 kilometers (or 37 miles)
There are also sometimes mobile speed camera on the first section (can be some after too) to catch the naugthy britishs (and frenchs, germans, belgiums...) who don't respect the speed limit

[doodah]

Thanks for the replies guys - I think I'll avoid using it until I have no choice.
I guess with the higher octane rating there's an increased chance of pre-detonation.
Bring back 2 Star - that's what I say.
I think it would be such a niche and low mileage market that the increased pollution output per vehicle would be negligible in the wider scheme of 'going green'

[g6mow]

[scouse]

Thanks for the replies guys - I think I'll avoid using it until I have no choice.
I guess with the higher octane rating there's an increased chance of pre-detonation.
Bring back 2 Star - that's what I say.
I think it would be such a niche and low mileage market that the increased pollution output per vehicle would be negligible in the wider scheme of 'going green'

Ran super unleaded for years, my bikes just run better on it, they will always have to provide fuel for older machines

For example you can still buy coal for traction/steam engines, the vintage vehicle market is worth far too much to the British economy

Gary T

[Rickm]

An interesting short piece on the effects of E10 and what to do about it in the Nov issue of Classic Bikes.
If you have the App (on phone or iPad etc) then you can actually read it for free from the sample download of the issue.

[Craig T]

An interesting short piece on the effects of E10 and what to do about it in the Nov issue of Classic Bikes.
If you have the App (on phone or iPad etc) then you can actually read it for free from the sample download of the issue.

This months Classic Motorcycle Mechanics also has an article although it doesn't come to too many conclusions. Personally I have used it a couple of times without problems but I will be draining it all out before winter . Even before E10, fuel lines and intake rubbers etc. went hard so it's nothing new. Of more concern is if it starts attacking crank seals so best be careful until it's proven one way or the other.

[Rickm]

Of more concern is if it starts attacking crank seals so best be careful until it's proven one way or the other.

Crank seals !!!
Hadn't even considered that one.