GDI Engine suitable for Ethanol?

[Rambaud]

I seem to get less mpg from Tesco 99 RON than Shell V-Power when driven hard.

I assume this is due to the ethanol (5%) which Tesco use?

Maxol do an E5 and E85 ethanol blended petrols, and Morrisons do an E85 also with a RON of 104(?).

But is it suitable, especially the E85, for a lean burn engine?

[I-S]

No.

E85 is not suitable for vehicles not designed for it. It will damage magnesium, aluminium and rubber parts of the fuel system, as well as fun situations due to the fact that ethanol is conductive unlike petrol - requiring specially designed fuel pumps.

Despite higher octane rating (lower knock), ethanol has a lower energy content. E85 will give approx 30% less mpg than normal petrol, making it rather expensive to run on.

In terms of compressibility, E85 is eminently suitable for the GDI. Mitsubishi could perhaps produce a new GDI that was designed for E85 and it would probably avoid a lot of the problems (that are due to fuel) that the existing GDIs have had.

As it stands though, do not put E85 in your car.

[Rambaud]

Thanks Isaac.

Saves me time hunting for the stuff then. :)

Put in half a tank of Tesco 95 RON this afternoon, as there is no 99 RON nor V-Power available at the moment.