Volvo Penta - E10 Petrol/Gas/Fuel safe?

[baker556]

Hi all,

I'm based in the UK and we're about to introduce E10 petrol/gas - should I take this into account when filling up a Volvo Penta SX-M year 2003 holley carb?

Should I be using premium fuel that runs at a higher octane 97 without the E10 additive?

E10 petrol explained

Learn about the benefits of E10 petrol and use our vehicle checker to confirm whether your vehicle is compatible with E10.

www.gov.uk

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lou C]

I've been running it herer for approx 15 years (we have no choice, its forced on us by our "helpful" goverment officials) and the one thing you may find is that if there is varnish build up in your tank it may clean it out and clog filters. So, keep a few extra water separating fuel filters on hand to account for that. I've had do to carb rebuilds approx every 6 seasons, not sure if this is because of ethanol but, we had the same carburator on our '75 Olds 350 cu in V8 back in the 70s and 80s pre E10 and never had to rebuilt it, in 15 years of use. Just something else to get used to. Newer carb kits may come with rubber parts better able to resist E10. The problem I had was flooding from a deteriorated needle valve, which can be dangerous due to gas leaking out of the carb. So keep an eye on it, when the carb needs rebuilding, get a good OEM Holley kit.

Other than the cleansing effect on an old fuel tank, there is NO advantage of e10 fuel to the consumer, it absorbs moisture and can cause phase separation, which is very bad and you can wind up with a layer of water on the bottom of the tank. It can also cause corrosion of certain aluminm alloys. Make sure your gas cap gasket seals well and don't allow water to lay on top of the tank where the fuel gauge sending unit cover is bolted on.
I read that article and you have more choice than we do, I'd use the E5 verson if you can, even if it costs more.

 

[baker556]

Thanks for your comprehensive response Lou C.

As the engine carb is set for 95 octane will 97 octane be able to run on the boat without causing any issues?

I understand this isn't an issue in a modern injection engine with management controls, but would this be fine to run an engine with a carb?

Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

you are over thinking it. your motor was designed in the US to run on E10 on the pump swill we are forced as Lou mentioned

the engine was also designed to run on 87 octane (R+M)/2 which is 92 RON. so you are also good with your 95, 97 or even 92 pump swill.

the only advantage e10 has is it makes your food prices higher (driving the cost of corn up, which is also a feed grain for livestock). the ethanol is a fairly decent cleaner like Lou mentioned.

 

[mike_i]

I agree with the above posts. One other thing to be concerned about is your fuel tank. When E10 was introduced many people had to replace their fiberglass tanks. If I remember correctly the alcohol had a bad reaction to the resins in the fiberglass and turned it into mush.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I agree with the above posts. One other thing to be concerned about is your fuel tank. When E10 was introduced many people had to replace their fiberglass tanks. If I remember correctly the alcohol had a bad reaction to the resins in the fiberglass and turned it into mush.

the OP has a 2003. either aluminum or plastic tank. not GRP