Ethanol Gas not recommended by CIS Flowtech

Here in the UK the options at fuel stations are E5 "Super Unleaded" with 5% ethanol or E10 "Unleaded" with 10% ethanol - There is no 0% option *

People with older cars buy E5 to keep the ethanol level as low as possible, because the rubber used in the pipes, O-rings and seals are not ethanol resistant, and owners want to extend the component life as long as possible.

In the short term, the 5% ethanol isn't going to be a major issue - It takes years for the ethanol to degrade to rubber.

Many many years later though, there will come a day when the cars will need replacement pipes, seals, fuel pumps etc., etc., etc., due to damaged caused by ethanol.

So in the UK, your options when it comes to 70's/80's/90's Ferrari's, is to either use E5 fuel, or don't bother owning one and miss out.

With my '89 328 GTS, I'd much rather take my chances using E5 fuel and enjoy the car whilst I can, that not own it, and just admire other people's Ferrari instead.

(* NOTE: Technically there are 0% and less than 1% fuels available in the UK now, but they are from "sustainable" fuel suppliers and cost @ 4~5 times the cost of regular fuel)

 

Gasoline has lubricating properties. If anything can be called an anti-lubricant it would be alcohol. Fuel injection components need lubrication. Alcohol has an affinity for water, gasoline does not. Water is deadly on F.I. components. There is no question, no debate, alcohol is bad for fuel systems. 10% isn't great but it isnt the end of the world either. It is causing the systems problems but so far not enough in my mind the justify either "A" going to great expense to avoid it or "B" using what is in my experience garbage low octane gas that is usually the other alternative to race gas.

Ferrari started using CIS in 1980 and discontinued it after the 1991 model year. The newest one is now 33 years old. Most of these systems would be in serious decline if we all were still using real live 1967 gasoline. Quit wringing your hands over gas with 10% alcohol and vote for people who wont force worse gas on us.

 

I suspect in 10 years people will be talking how great E10 was and wishing they could get it...