Negative effects of ethanol

[bikerbob]

Hi there
Have just received a reply from my Local MP have attached my original letter plus reply from M.O.T. you will see that they have not really addressed the problems no mention of the dangers or making it compulsory to have filling stations display the level of Ethanol added also a major publicity campaign.

[alanp]

I doubt anyone was expecting anything other than the reply we got i.e.  'we have to comply with EU regs and if you have a problem with compatibility then change the material/parts affected'.
As has been stated on this forum before we have to help each other by posting on this forum any positive remedies to this threat to our machines.

[Goldy]

There is an article about this subject from the VMCC in this months old bike mart. As has been stated previously the ethanol absorbs water and this causes corrosion, but the article also suggests that this mixture of ethanol and water conducts electricity and so electrolysis takes place between dissimilar metals in the fuel system. It seems to me that what is required is simply an "additive" which removes water. Any suggestions?

[shabashow]

I used to use Sodium Sulphate when I did chemistry at Uni to remove traces of water from solvents during labs where the slightest traces of H20 would interfere with the reaction. The Sodium Sulphate was a powder and it would sit harmlessly in the bottom of the flask. Don't think that would be practical for our petrol tanks, but someone could probably get it into some sort of 'teabag' that could hang in the tank. Probably would have to change it frequently, as it would only have so much capacity to absorb water - more so if it was humid or rainy. Not sure if I'd want to put a petrol soaked powder in the oven to regenerate it, it would be a one shot deal!

[bikerbob]

Update. I sent a letter to my MP saying that I was not happy wth the Ministers reply he contacted the Minister and I have just recieved his reply via my MP. He does clarify somepoints but the only change is that they state that it is not now the governments  "firm intention" to go to 10% after 2013 when in their original report they said it was. I still feel that this problem is not being given the publicity that it deserves.

[bikerbob]

Hi there
Just recieved my Monthly mag from the Bsa owners  club. It reports from someone in Germany that the majority of motorists over there are refusing to use 10% Ethanol petrol because it returns poor fuel economy and recommending people to buy Super Plus fuel or E5 but to try and avoid E10. The German government has halted the countrywide installation of E10 pumps until they can provide evidence  that it is good for E10. Greenpeace have stated that ethanol can ruin cars and the enviroment.