The new E10 fuel

[ng4xjs]

Just wondering thoughts on the new E10 fuels that become law this September. Clearly this will have implications for us all, but interestingly the Gov web site checker appears to imply that Jaguar petrol engines are okay from MY 1992 onwards, I looked up my own car using
www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-e10-petrol.

I would just comment that I do (and will continue) to use the higher octane fuels.

Nick

[peterirvinharrison]

Interesting, I too checked the Gov.UK website and it does state that ALL Jaguar petrol engines from MY92 onwards are approved to use E10. Not sure I fully trust them though! It would be helpful if there were a more definitive point of view from either Jaguar or JEC. Whilst I agree that the higher fuel grade is preferable anyway, I would like the reassurance to know that if I need to fill up whilst touring somewhere with the E10 (because thats all thats available in the locality) I'm not going to damage my fuel system or engine!

[ng4xjs]

My understanding is that the odd fill-up with E10 shouldn't be problematic it's the hydroscopic quality that would be the concern and the potential damage to seals, fuel tanks and cats by continued exposure. I also understand that for pre-cats there is an additive that will neutralise the E10 consequences but I've not researched this in any great detail. I'm sure this is a discussion set to continue as it does potentially signal longer term concerns.

I believe early combustion engines ran using peanut oil. Try running into your local filling station for a tank full of that:)

Nick

[BrianG]

To avoid any fuelling anxiety here's a reminder: unless you live north of Newcastle or in the west country, just use Esso Supreme + 99 octane fuel. It's guaranteed ethanol-free (see Esso web site) but does cost a little more per litre. I run my classic motorcycle on it and it's the nearest thing to leaded 5-star from back in the day (but without the lead of course).

[ng4xjs]

Came across this when flipping through an older XJS Handbook (JJM 10 02 06/20) clearly states that E10 fuel is okay for engines 4.0 or 5.3 running cats. Most interesting.

Nick

[ptjs1]

Nick,

I can't read that attachment clearly but I THINK it only mentions octane rating not ethanol composition.

Having said that, my owners handbook for my 1994 car does state that ethanol of up to 10% is acceptable for the engine. My much bigger concern is the 26-year old fuel hoses etc and how ethanol might affect those.

So, I too will not be using E10 fuel in the XJS. I'll continue to use 98 or 99 RoN with a max of E5.

Paul

[ng4xjs]

Paul

Apologies. Page 271 of the "Handbook" describes the use of ethanol at 10%. Hope this image is more visable.

Nick

[ptjs1]

Nick,

Yes, that's the text that is in my drivers handbook.

Paul

[AndyF]

Hi all,

E10 seems to be ok for the 6.0 V12. Please see the text below from the handbook (JJM 10 16 06/40) - 1994.

AF

[ptjs1]

Andy,

As mentioned, I really don't feel it will be about the ability of the internals of the engine to handle E10, it will be far more about fuel tank, fuel tank feed, vent & return pipes, engine bay fuel pipes, injector seals etc etc. And for most of us those components are already 25 + years old.

I'm no expert and it would be really helpful if the club can really look at this issue fully. But I really don't think any XJS owner should use E10 fuel unless literally very component that the fuel comes into contact with has been replaced in the last few years. Just a personal view!

Cheers

Paul

[ng4xjs]

Maybe covert to compressed gas if that is a viable option for our cars? (Just joking as don't know the answer).

I'm so embarrassed by this but some little while ago a friend of mine acquired a 5.3 that had a Peugeot diesel engine fitted. Sounded really awful, like the preverbal bag of nails but he was happy with a mid 30 fuel consumption.

Nick

[poprivet]

It's very interesting to read everyone's views. Any 'official' advice would have to be on the very safe side, the reality is that materials didn't change on any certain day.
As already correctly stated by others here and elsewhere, any component can and will deteriorate in time whatever fuel it is subjected to. My '88 was built long before unleaded was a thing (in the UK), let alone ethanol yet the owners manual (printed 1985), clearly states:
'Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol may be used.'
It is less clear about what minimum octane is acceptable. My car had the different Crank Pos Sensor at some time which was intended to enable the engine to use 95 octane.
I do use the supreme fuels occasionally as I have no doubt they have a beneficial effect on cleaning the system and promote smoother running but I'm not concerned about using 10% ethanol either. I do inspect the fuel hoses and lines as part of my regular checks anyway and if anything shows signs of perishing or hardening then they will be changed as a matter of normal maintenance.

[b.l.hayward]

Hi All,
I have been running my 1985 V12 XJ-SC on high octane, ethanol free petrol for several years (Esso)- no problems. With the advent of E10 I thought I would do a round-up of all high octane petrol to check which will now be ethanol-free. So far, only Esso have confirmed that their high octane E5 (Synergy+ 99) is ethanol free (but depending on where you live!), Shell have confirmed that they do not sell ethanol-free petrol in the UK and I am waiting on BP. I have continually read that ethanol fuels attack the softer metals (eg aluminium), fuel lines, some (?) gaskets and cause a puddle of water in the bottom of the fuel tank if left for long periods (eg over winter) - very helpful for old XJS steel tanks So, does any body have any empirical experience of issues, times scales for symptoms, costs to address etc. Perhaps I am just being paranoid, but forewarned is forearmed!
Brian

[JimboV8]

France has been using E10 since 2011 and I haven’t seen any reports of fuel rotting the component parts of their fuel systems. I lived in France at that time and both my XK8 and subsequent X150 both ran on E10 with no problems whatsoever. My current XKR also runs on E10.
Too many people willing to believe scare stories started on the internet.

[b.l.hayward]

Thanks Jimbo,
If France has been using E10 since 2011 without there being major reports of fuel-related failures then that is good empirical evidence indeed - especially as you have personal experience and it must have been used in older vehicles as well.
Now I am wondering if the issue has been overblown? But, if so, why has the UK government published compatibility tables?
Still not entirely comfortable with my state of knowledge but I feel a little more relaxed that if I need to fill up at non-Esso then it may well not be an issue. Needs to be watched
Brian