What fuel do you use

[AM1961]

So, should I use a lead replacement additive in my 1974 350se as recommended on the United web site? I have been told that the good old Benz V8 have hard enough bits to cope with unleaded fuel. Discuss please. Andrew.

 

[Lukas]

I use FlashLube valve saver in the (1980) Commodore, but haven't been in the Mercedeses having also read / heard that they didn't need it.

All of my Mercs get the 92 unleaded, non-ethanol; mainly because I'm usually poor at filling up time. I am trying to migrate to 98. They all seem to run fine, but are generally driven infrequently, so hard to say definitively.

Tried ethanol in the Commodore once, it was not happy.

Am under a directive to not use ethanol in small engines (chainsaws, whipper snippers, etc), as it wrecks the seals in them too.

 

[260ebenz]

I thought that would be the case, but I also believed United servos have all but disappeared from the scene as I haven't come across any recently.

Two United servos have opened in the Bay in recent years.

United servos replaced old Caltex or Mobil servos.

Personally I would not buy fuel from United.

I have been buying my fuel from BP for many years and never had an issue.

Local Caltex in the centre of the Bay closed now located out on the main road at Anna Bay.

Local Shell bowsers were replaced with all new bowsers I believe.

Mobil servo no longer in the Bay that I am aware of.

BP 95 last week was $1.40 a litre and my local BP state there is no Ethanol in the 95 or 98 Octane which is good!

Ethanol 10% for my 300SE NO thank you!

The Yaris can use 10% Ethanol it is a 2006 model.

 

[Michel]

So, should I use a lead replacement additive in my 1974 350se as recommended on the United web site? I have been told that the good old Benz V8 have hard enough bits to cope with unleaded fuel. Discuss please. Andrew.

Mercedes Benz engines do not need lead replacement additives as they have been engineered from the factory with hardened valves since the early 60s.

As long as you use high octane (preferably 98), you won't suffer any early detonations.

Ethanol is not recommended in early models (including 116 and 126), but generally accepted in post 2000 cars.

 

[mondo]

So the issue with ethanol is that it has a detrimental effect on seals in the engine? What seals specifically are prone to deterioration?

Presumably it does not affect the rubber parts such as fuel hose. I am keen for a better understanding of what and why it is bad.

Petrol tank, fuel pump, filter, lines, regulators, injectors, combustion chambers , exhaust. Where do the problems occur and what material changes were made around 2000 to obviate these problems?

What fuel additives could be used to protect these parts?

Mondo

 

[BenzBoy]

The following may be of help:
http://www.raa.com.au/page.aspx?TerID=1158
http://www.vacc.com.au/ConsumerInfo...CEthanolPositionPaper/tabid/2040/Default.aspx
Regards,
Brian

 

[260ebenz]

Caltex Refinery in Kurnell set to close in 2014 read more about it.

http://finance.ninemsn.com.au/newsb...-close-kurnell-refinery-800-jobs-to-go-report

 

[Helmet]

Caltex Refinery in Kurnell set to close in 2014 read more about it.

http://finance.ninemsn.com.au/newsb...-close-kurnell-refinery-800-jobs-to-go-report

Sorry for the people that are loosing their jobs, but what does this have to do with this thread ?

 

[abl567]

It relates to fuel....and the fuel we use in our autos

 

[Oversize]

If we're importing more fuel as a result, I wonder if it means the quality will improve? I've heard our fuel quality is poor compared to the rest of the globe. Will we see more 100??

 

[260ebenz]

It relates to fuel....and the fuel we use in our autos

Correct!

 

[Tony66_au]

If we're importing more fuel as a result, I wonder if it means the quality will improve? I've heard our fuel quality is poor compared to the rest of the globe. Will we see more 100??

Nothing wrong with major brand outlets and imported fuels as half our fuel already comes from Singapore and Indonesia anyway.

As for Caltex?

I heard the CFO and the Boss ####ys announcement yesterday and its a good thing all round with redundancy packages and the usual.

Caltex will be supplied by Chevron ex Singapore and made to spec as major brands have done for years.

Our fuel BTW Mark is of very high quality on a world basis, its only the profit hungry independent distributors that need to be watched more closely and their issue is mainly in using dirty bulk carriers when shipping.

 

[Tony66_au]

And before all the socialists start on the "Why don't we use our own oils to make fuel" bandwagon it is because Australia produces light crude which is far better for other applications and fetches a premium on the world market.

Basically its too good to use for Petrol refinery.

That and for what we consume its too expensive to refine not to mention the economic fall out would be massive.

My Source on this is a good mate of years who is an engineer for Shell.

 

[Styria]

I now use Ron98 - in the past 95, but if the higher octane stuff is more efficient and provides improved running and economy, that seems the way to go. The difference in cost between 95 and 98 is really only somewhat marginal all things considered. Regards Styria

N.B. Thankfully, we're back on topic again.

 

[BenzBoy]

So the issue with ethanol is that it has a detrimental effect on seals in the engine? What seals specifically are prone to deterioration?

Presumably it does not affect the rubber parts such as fuel hose. I am keen for a better understanding of what and why it is bad.

Petrol tank, fuel pump, filter, lines, regulators, injectors, combustion chambers , exhaust. Where do the problems occur and what material changes were made around 2000 to obviate these problems?

What fuel additives could be used to protect these parts?

Mondo

There has been much research into this issue as there are both facts and myths circulating.
As I understand it, early gaskets/seals made of fabric, fibre and some types of pure rubber are materially affected by ethanol. Also, since it suspends water, ethanol will allow the correct conditions for corrosion of metals such as are found in the earlier unlined petrol tanks. Later tanks are plastic lined or made entirely of plastic.
There are additives to prevent metal corrosion but none to prevent degradation of gaskets. Additives which are FBHVC approved include: VSPe Powe Plus, VSPe and EPS from Millers Oils, Etyhomix and Flexolite.
Obviously a carburretor relying on a fabric seal will be in trouble - and fabric seals in injectors will similarly deteriorate more quickly than normal.
As far as I can see, the story about Ethanol causing pistons to burn through is rubbish as gas operates at a higher temp and does not exhibit the same issues.
In short, it should be OK in a newer car but not in an older one. The cut-off year will depend upon the gasket material used.
Regards,
Brian

 

[motec 6.9]

Hi Brian i believe it is from about 2000 for most cars. Holden issued a statement a few years ago not to use ethanol in VX and earlier cars. The issue was as you correctly stated rubber fuel lines and gaskets. Geoff

 

[Tony66_au]

I just don't use Ethanol fuels, I did have a play with the stuff years ago and made modifications to an old car I had to suit because I had access to Ethanol race fuel in 44 gallon drums cheap.

I ended up using a fuel cell and custom stainless fuel lines, Bosch blue pump and reg and rebuilding my Carby using race fuel friendly gaskets and floats.

I also ended up going full electronic on the ignition with adjustable timing and the engine already had valve seats done so the ute ran very well for 6 or so months.

And then a small neoprene seal let go at the join between the plastic cell and the fuel return nearly causing a huge fire and I gave up on the ethanol lol

I also used to run E10 with a dash of race E100 in my old clapped out (Low compression) Range rover which made it nicely drivable but the fuel system suffered because of it.

Personally I don't use it now.

 

[mathew]

98 in the new C250 you can really tell the difference. I do however run all the older Merc's on it why i hear you ask? The mechanical injection systems in older models do not take kindly to ethanol at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 98 tends to gently clean the fuel system which given the ultra fine tolerances of mechanical injection systems is just the right product. My Chemist buddy also tells me that the oil drained from 98 run cars is considerably cleaner that vehicles running 95/98.

Cheers Mat