Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Beware 95 E10

I live in Belgium and here we have had 95 E 10 petrol for 6/7 years. Within the last few months 3 zetec engined cars have suffered fuel pump failure, all 3 ran 95 E10. To change the pump is not easy or cheap. The E10 attacks some rubber hoses and gaskets.

As I understand it automotive rubber, nitrile butyl rubber, which is resistant to petrol is also very hard. It has to have a plasticiser added to make it supple enough to use but ethanol added to E5/E10 fuel cheletes the plasticiser. Consequently the rubber becomes brittle and cracks/fails. It is important, therefore, not to have rubber at all and use silicone but many older cars have NBR components.

This is as I understand it but it may be that a Talkmogger will correct me if I am wrong!

Felix correct. Newer cars have different compounds. There are many threads on this on here. From memory cars after 2010 are OK.

In the Netherlands Shell Vpower has NO ethanol, so that is what I always buy. So this is the best alternative to E95. In th UK it may contain up to 5% of ethanol. In NL i stick to Shell V power, I want to avoid any ethanol induced trouble and I like the extra perfotmance. Also CO2 is set off wt V power.