Does 4 star leaded petrol contain ethanol?

Answer 1

I have recently spoken to a senior member of staff at Bayford fuels, the only company to produce 4 Star leaded.

I was told that this fuel is mixed from the remaining 10% of Super unleaded in the UK that does not contain Ethanol.

However, I was advised that the company are under pressure from the Government Green Lobby to contaminate 4 Star leaded with Ethanol probably by the end of 2010.

Shell were forced to contaminate V Power with Ethanol in 2009.

Ethanol, even at 5% can do serious damage. It will melt fiberglass petrol tanks, resin tank liners and some carburettor components for example.

Being slightly acidic it will cause rust in your steel tank. Further, being hygroscopic it absorbs moisture, again causing corrosion and reliability problems. (Remember early 2007 when EN was first introduced by Tesco & Morrison's)

Our Government are keen to increase this contaminant to 10%, hence twice the problem in prospect.

James Robinson of 'The Classic Motorcycle' magazine suggests this will have to be 'coped with and managed.' Better still why not campaign to have this dangerous substance taken from at least some of our petrol and give us a choice for once instead of being dictated to!

With regard to combustion; moisture and oil based products do not mix, moisture and alcohol however mix very well, hence in addition to all the other problems as stated above, the shelf life of EN petrol is very short, likewise the life of your engine in some circumstances.

Complain to your MP is my advice.

Hope this answers your question.

Neil Wyatt BSc (Hons) AIIRSM