Effects of ethanol in fuel

Predictably, time moves on and Car Torque picks up on fresh topics to highlight.

However, the irresistible conclusions to be drawn by the almost total silence from members of the public over the consultation document that we took paragraphs from over the past two months, is that the vast majority of motorists couldn’t give a darn whether speed limits are reduced and draconian measures introduced to hit, hard and fast, any motorist who presumes to exceed the lower limits proposed.

Or the fact that Transport Malta, the regulatory body, declared that there shall be a 10 per cent margin for motorists proceeding through speed cameras too fast, and then spoilt it by saying not all commissions and tribunals were working to the same hymn sheet. I ask again. Why not?

Once again I recommend, with 58 serious years of driving behind me, that the 80 km/h is left in place and cameras are mounted at accident black spots until the roads have been made safe in those areas, and not placed willy-nilly as revenue tools. It is a great pity that drivers do not take notice of cameras and speed limits even in towns and villages.

The message has come from the Association of Driving Instructors that various unbadged, ticketed people are plying the trade of driving instructor. Why?

At least one instructor attended a course in the UK. Many serious instructors claim that complaining to Transport Malta is a waste of time and energy.

In the meantime, instructors are blamed for only teaching people how to pass their driving exam and not setting them up as safe drivers for life. Little seems to have moved on since I did a stint as a driving examiner in 2006. If Gozo is turned into a total 60 km/h maximum area, Gozitan drivers will not expect to get an EU driving licence allowing them to drive at speed well in excess of double anything they have experienced in Gozo.

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The May issue of the Aston Martin Owners Club magazine featured an article by Chris Thompson, with vital information for all who own vehicles older than seven years.

The concern is that from 2013, unless some sort of exemption is found, all petrol will contain 10 per cent ethanol, according to an EU directive through the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation.

Currently, throughout Europe, most fuel suppliers are adding five per cent but as traditionally we live in a somewhat secretive state it is unknown whether this recommended percentage has already been damaging our old engines.

In its pure form, ethanol has an octave rating of 113, with a much greater resistance to knocking or pinking than is found in petrol. Another alcohol-based fuel, methanol, has been used for years in some racing engines.

Ethanol, on the face of it, is a pleasant green addition as fermenting starch or sugar crops. In fact, almost any fruit or vegetable matter or waste can be distilled into ethanol.

Sounds good, except that 10 per cent added to fuel would have a monumentally corrosive effect on older vehicles.

Unless the model has been specifically designed to use ethanol, the fact that far greater amounts of oxygen are present in ethanol will play chaotic havoc.

If the petrol filler pipe is rubber, beware. Old fuel tanks are often made of mildsteel with welded seams, sealed to stop leakage. Ethanol rots the sealing compound. Hydrogen bonding causes ethanol to be hydroscopic, which may add a considerable quantity of water to the fuel inducing rust. Copper and brass fittings and pipes are corroded.

Moving parts in carburettors and fuel pumps including rubber diaphragms and cork washers disintegrate. Brass and zinc in carburettors and fuel lines are affected by galvanic action especially as most carburettors are made from an alloy with jets normally made of brass.

The following is a list, not exhaustive,of materials affected by ethanol: zincand galvanised materials, copper, brass, temeplate [lead/tin-coated steel]aluminium, rubber, cork magnesium alloys, zamak 5, polyurethane, polymers, fibreglass-reinforced polyester and epoxy resins.

The list goes on, but disturbingly, some gasoline direct-injection engines up to 2007 have materials in the fuel pump that may also be damaged. This stuff is so corrosive that it’s blended in fuel tankers just before they leave the depot, as storage tanks would be affected too.

Would it be too much to expect Transport Malta to get together with the fuel supplier and then make public announcements as to whether the incredible number of old, classic or vintage owners will have major damage on their hands sometime in 2013?