Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Bad fuel in France

Just got back from 2000 mile trip around France and had problem with fuel.
Stuck to 98 RON but picked up a low rev misfire after filling at a rural station.
It eventually cleared on main road refills but got caught again at a Total station.
The best seemed to be the new supermarkets which had queues to the pumps.
Wondering if the small stations are having the turnover, especially in the 98 fuel.
Our local station stopped selling 98 because of low turnover.

It may be a little more than just the fuel. With the Ford engines there are often problems with the plugs because of water that leaks past the plug caps and is deposited around the sparkplug. It is a common cause of low rev misfires and difficulty in starting.

One of the issues is the presence of higher quantities of ethanol blended into 98RON fuel in France, but this is also a factor in the UK now as well.

After on trip to Northern France in which my car became almost undriveable I was advised by a French Morgan owner to avoid taking 98RON , especially at small low volume stations. The problem was traced eventually to a bad batch of fuel which contained larger than normal quantities of water (among other contaminants) , this upset the Air Mass sensor and the resulting backfires destroyed the structure of one of the catalysts.

Since adhering to the 95RON fuel (Eurosuper) I have had no problems.
OK I would prefer the higher octane diet, but it is not really a problem in most modern machinery , and I think that all the range of engines fitted by MMC back to the 1990s and beyond (?), unless modified, will run quite happily on this fuel.

Got back last month after 2500 miles in France using mainly 98 octane but occasionally 95 as not every station seemed to stock the higher grade. Fortunately didn't have any problems at all and whilst it was very hot and dry during the day there were some spectacular thunder and rain storms some nights but despite the car being outside throughout no problems from that either.
Could be you were unlucky with a dodgy batch of fuel.

I have had problems with French fuel in the past - Alpinas are 98 octane engines - and the Roadster in particular reacted badly to low octane fuel - considerable pinking and a lack of low end response. When crossing France laterally it is worth filling up each time you find a large "proper" fuel station - and unless you really really have to avoiding small rural supermarket stations - I am looking at you Mr "97 Octane my Arse" Intermarche!!!

The B3 had to be filled with 95 octane a couple of times in Italy when I was down to fumes and couldn't find 98 - it survived by the performance was heavily impacted!!

I now have to remember the practical car (B5s) takes 98 and the fun car takes 95 (Supersport)!

And don't get me started on finding 1l of 0w30 oil in France!!!

Tried diesel once in the UK some weeks ago, but that didn't work either....

Friend of mine once tried petrol in France, in his diesel. That didn't work either.

[quote=dodgyken]I am looking at you Mr "97 Octane my Arse" Intermarche!!!

Yes it was a Intermarche '97 my arse.'

Very low so a bit desperate.

As always a brand new Station U was just down the road full of locals.

I have had an occasional misfire , maybe to do with fuel , need to ask my service chap , its a bit disconcerting !

Yes Peter suffered a bit of that on the way home during heavy rain but soon cleared.
Looking at Cosworth Coil cover but at £194 a bit steep for a bit of plastic. But if it didn't keep going and I had to dry out or change the plugs it would be the best £194 spent!