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e10 petrol

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Hi - Can I run my Model 19 on e10 or do I need an additive?

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Each to their own but I wouldn't if I were you, Pete. Not even with an anti E aditive.

I learned in 2006/7 when E5 was introduced by stealth.the damage done to fuel systems on two of my bikes.

All you need is some lead aditive  (I use Red X lead substitute) and E0 petrol.  I use Esso synergy 99 Ron with the RED label, available in most of the UK. Marked up as E5 but E0 unless showing a blue label.

The choice is yours Pete,  Good luck.

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I’m using E5 which may or may not be EO as I live in the southwest with no problems so no need for any additives IMHO.

Dan 

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Does your tank have a liner?  If so, best avoid E10.  I use either in my 16H.  But it has copper fuel lines.  Otherwise I use E5 to be on the safe side.

On the Dommie I normally drain the carbs when putting it away.  To cut the risk of corrosion inside them when standing.  Racers using methanol were advised to clean carburettors to remove corrosion early.

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Because you have a cast iron head without hardened valve seats  unleaded fuel can cause seat errosion particularly if you run weak or with hard use. For moderate classic use there may be no issue. You can always get hard seats installed when needed. Very irregular use and damp storage will cause issues with any ethanol fuels and thin old tanks can suffer badly. If you must use EO5 I would add a stabilizer .

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Twice I have used E10 in my 1952 Land Rover (up here in the wilds often there is no choice). The first time it turned a fuel pipe into a shower head. The second time it caused lots of throttle sticking. Funnily enough, my Dominator didn't seem bothered when it was filled with E10. Nonetheless, these bikes were not set up for ethanol in the fuel so steer clear of E10. 

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... they did run very well in the 1950s on Cleveland Discol which was up to 20% ethanol supplied by Distillers Co. It was also feee of tetra-ethyl lead. I don't believe ethanol is the problem but think it is all the other additives that constitute much of today's petrol.

But everyone's opinion varies.

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Virtually all other petrol was E0 back then and add to that most bikes were bread and butter and so had regular use, not stuck in the fuel system for months.

These days there is little choice, so E0, use it or lose it.

In the UK, your Ethanol is made from wheat. For a long time the UK has been a net importer of wheat!  Is this the best use of a food product?

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... Cleveland Discol had up to 20% ethanol (E20 in current parlance) and not only did it not cause problems, many riders and drivers suggested their vehicles ran better on it.

Of course there was no WWW then for people to spread misinformation, urban myths and conspiracy fantasies.

However I do agree that using wheat to fuel internal combustion engines is a bad idea.

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Hi Pete,

   Which-ever fuel you decide to use, be aware you may need to re-set your ignition timing as each fuel burns at a different speed. This is because of the different octane ratings, with the higher octane rating burning slower. Say you decide to use E0-5, you may need to advance your ignition 2 degees, but all this will be trial and error. This is why some vehicles feel more lively, just because the fuel suits the ignition timing.

   On the bigger picture, how many starving children could live using the wheat needed for a 1,000,000 litres of ethanol ?

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Ian, spreading misinformation, urban myths and conspiracy fantasies (Theories).is a common response backed up by nothing. There are plenty of facts out there but like other agenda items, there is no debate without facing censorship and cancellation.

Well at least we agree, as does Richard that scarce wheat and other food stuffs is wrong to  make fuel with, considering that oil is the second most abundant liquid on Earth.

PS: I never heard starving children mentioned at Davos!

 


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