FUEL
LEADED PETROL
In 1998 there was great concern about the news of the withdrawal of leaded fuel in 2000 which led to the setting up of the FBHVC’s Legislation and Fuels Committee, originally chaired by Ian Edmunds and later by David Hurley when it became just the Legislation Committee.
From 2000 less than 0.05% of total petrol sales could be leaded fuel for use in historic vehicles and sold by licensed garages who are members of the FBHVC. At the end of 2009 it was announced that this permitted amount was to be reduced to 0.03%. While this may seem a savage reduction, in fact it is broadly equivalent to the current level of leaded petrol consumption, which is approximately 0.025% of total petrol sales in 2010, so in practice no restriction on leaded petrol sales will be experienced from this change. The low level of sales of leaded petrol since this concession was offered by the EU can probably be traced to the difficulties of setting up a suitable distribution network. Bayford and Co. is the sole remaining supplier of leaded fuel in the UK and a link to a list of their garages is on our website, although this list is shortening rapidly.
Testing for suitable lead replacement additives took place prior to the withdrawal of leaded fuel in 2000. The Federation originally tested 12 products to assess their performance in protecting against valve seat recession using identical test procedures on a Rover A-series engine. The results were conclusive and showed clear differences in performance between the various products tested. Those products that did pass the test were allowed to carry the FBHVC logo and the words: ‘endorsed by the FBHVC’ or: ‘This product has been subjected to a valve seat recession test by an independent test house on behalf of the FBHVC. The results of the test indicate that the level of valve seat protection is likely to be adequate for all normal driving, but not including racing or other exceptionally arduous uses.’
Since then a number of these products have been withdrawn from sale but the following are still available:
Millers VSP-Plus
Red Line Lead Substitute
Castrol Valvemaster and Castrol Valvemaster Plus
Each of these products has a different active ingredient and it is recommended that these products are not mixed in the petrol tank, in other words, choose one product and stay with it.
Tetraboost, which contains tetraethyl lead is, of course, also available from a number of stockists.
BIO FUELS
The EU has issued directives to increase the uptake of renewable fuels throughout Europe as part of the campaign to slow climate change. In addition, air quality concerns have been responsible for progressive reductions in sulphur in heavier fuels such as diesel. The net outcome of these EU directives is the inclusion of bio-ethanol in petrol, and inclusion of components such as vegetable oils in diesel fuels, in addition to the reduction in sulphur content.
In 2008 we began to receive letters about the effects of ethanol in petrol and early in 2009 we appealed for members to report problems to us. Very few did so at that time but the numbers, and the levels of concern, have increased in 2010.
In December 2008 the Federation were invited to contribute to a consultation on Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations from the Department for Transport about the variable rates of duty applicable between conventional petrol and biofuel and our response was as follows: The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs would welcome a requirement for suppliers to ensure that gasoline blended with ethanol includes suitable anti-corrosion inhibitors to prevent corrosion in fuel systems of vehicles.
At concentrations of less than 5% there was, and still is, no obligation for the petrol pumps to be labelled at point of sale. Ethanol is hygroscopic so manufacturers should have been adding corrosion inhibitors to it before blending with petrol. Ethanol changes the volatility of the fuel which while possibly providing a slight benefit to cold starting may increase vapour lock and hot start problems in susceptible vehicles. Corrosion could be a problem if inhibitors are not used.
For the future diesel fuel will be permitted to contain more than 7% bio-diesel component, provided it is labelled but currently no labelling is required if less than 7% bio-diesel is added to the fuel.
In the autumn of 2009 the picture was becoming clearer although more worrying.
The Federation was represented by Matthew Vincent at several Stakeholder Meetings held at the Department for Transport (DfT) during the whole of 2009. Fuel production today is a very big business, with an ever-decreasing number of filling stations selling larger and larger volumes of fuel in order to stay competitive. The dream would be to have one pump on every forecourt selling specialist historic fuels for Federation members. However, the economics of distribution to a relatively small number of specialist users make it almost impossible to produce and supply bespoke fuel products which are freely and widely available in every town from Cornwall to the north of Scotland. In short, Federation members generally have to use the standard fuels produced by Big Oil for modern engines.
DIESEL
Non-road gas oil sulphur level will drop from 1000ppm to10ppm from 1 January 2011. This could affect historic agricultural and construction equipment, and perhaps stationary engines, or historic boat engines running on diesel-type fuel. Many tractors run on Tractor Vaporising Oil (TVO) or kerosene so will be unaffected, but for those with diesel powered historic machines normally using ‘red’ diesel or gas oil, dramatic changes in sulphur levels over the next eighteen months may cause some difficulties.
Trucks and buses should not be affected as they have already been exposed to the reduction in sulphur levels in on-road diesel fuel. Without wishing to create alarm, when a sudden change to ultra-low sulphur diesel has occurred in the past, some operators have experienced problems of seal swelling or shrinking, leading to leaks from the fuel system. There have also been some fuel stability issues which have resulted in blocked fuel filters and similar problems.
Where fuel leaks occur, new seals should be fitted. These should preferably be made from Viton, as there may also be some potential compatibility problems from the inclusion of bio-diesel components. Viton seals should resolve all these difficulties, and it is obviously preferable to replace seals only once. Fuel filter elements should be replaced to overcome high pressure drop across the filter body which can lead to fuel starvation. It may be necessary to change filter elements more frequently than in the past.
Fuel storage is potentially also an issue, given possible reduced fuel stability/storage life when using bio-diesel components. Fuel composition changes require that fuel housekeeping improves (tanks should be clean and dry, as the presence of water in the tank will encourage microbial growth leading to potential formation of sludges and slimes). Ideally fuel should be used as quickly as possible and not stored for lengthy periods. Fuel tank seals, including sight-glass seals, may suffer from the change in sulphur level and the inclusion of bio-diesel components. These comments apply mainly to those such as farmers, who have their own dedicated storage tanks, and who also enjoy the use of historic ‘red diesel’ machinery such as preserved tractors.
At the October 2009 Stakeholders Meeting the wording of a DfT information leaflet was approved concerning changes to ‘red diesel’.
DfT Leaflet
Changes in the Pipeline
Do you use gas oil (‘red diesel’)?
If so, there are changes which you need to know about:
· Gas oil for off-road equipment will be sulphur free by January 2011.
· This is needed by cleaner engines fitted in new off-road equipment which will be made to meet stringent new EU emission standards.
· These standards will improve air quality and reduce adverse health and environmental effects.
· Sulphur free gas oil is also likely to contain up to 7% biodiesel content.
· The majority of existing equipment should not have any problems with the new fuel but a few precautions are recommended.
· Affected equipment will include tractors, other agricultural equipment such as combines, construction plant, forklifts, portable generators and boats, but fuel for stationary and heating applications may also be affected.
Off-Road Equipment
If you own off-road equipment it is recommended that you:
· Examine fuel systems following the switch to the new fuel and ensure that any seals or pipes found to be leaking are replaced.
· If you are having older machinery serviced, replace fuel seals and pipes as a precaution.
· Replace fuel filters after the first two to three tankfuls of the new fuel.
Fuel Storage
If you have gas oil storage tanks it is recommended that you:
· Remove all water from the tanks and conduct monthly checks so that they remain free of water.
· Tanks that don’t already have drain points for removing water are likely to need modification.
· Examine sight gauges on older fuel storage tanks for signs of leakage and replace any leaking seals.
· If you are having tanks serviced before you receive the new fuel it would be advisable to replace fuel seals as a, one-off, precautionary exercise.
· Replace fuel filters after two to three deliveries/turnover of the new fuel.
· Ensure the content of tanks is turned over every six months or in any event no less often than every 12 months to help prevent blockage of filters.
Stationary Equipment
· Gas oil for heating, stationary equipment is not required to be sulphur free.
· However, some fuel suppliers may supply you with sulphur free gas oil for these applications as well, in which case the above precautions will be equally applicable.
Marine Fuel
· Gas oil sold for inland shipping and recreational craft when used on inland waterways is required to be sulphur free.
· However, gas oil for sea-going marine use is not required to be sulphur free. It is not anticipated that suppliers of marine fuel will switch to sulphur free, but you may wish to confirm this with your supplier.
Further Guidance
· Let your fuel supplier know what purpose you need the fuel for. They should supply you a fuel that is fit for purpose and be able to advise you of the sulphur and biofuel content of the fuel.
· Further advice is available on the Department’s website at www.dft.gov.uk
Summary of the DfT leaflet
Key points for Federation members:
1. Fuel changes are to ‘red diesel’ for off-road equipment: historic trucks and buses already use low sulphur fuels, although could be affected by inclusion of bio-diesel components.
2. Check seals for leaks, both on fuel systems on machines and also on storage tanks.
3. Maintain good housekeeping in storage tanks (i.e. drain any existing water from storage tanks and keep them clean, so that only dry fuel is stored).
4. Reduce fuel storage periods, ideally to a maximum of six months.
5. Check and replace fuel filters after the change to the new fuel.
6. The new fuel will be in place by 1 January 2011, with phase-in starting during 2010.
If you are replacing seals, it is best to use a material which is fully compatible with the new fuel. The (mainly oil industry) association, CONCAWE, has conducted tests of materials compatibility, and expects to issue a formal report shortly. The following draft table extracted from the report was issued at the Stakeholders’ Meeting. It covers blends of diesel fuel containing bio-derived components. The most universally recognised compatible seal (elastomer) material is known by the trade name ‘Viton®’. Other seal materials e.g. Nylon, Teflon® and Fluorocarbon are also recommended for use with the new fuel.
Material compatibilities with bio-diesel and diesel blends
Material / Recommended / Not recommendedMetals / Carbon steel
Stainless steel
Aluminium / Brass
Copper
Lead
Tin
Zinc
Elastomers / Fluorocarbon
Nylon
Teflon®
Viton® / Nitrile rubber
Buna rubber
Neoprene
Chloroprene
Natural rubber
Hypalon
Styrene-Butadiene rubber
Butadiene rubber
Polymers / Carbon filled acetal / Polyethylene
Polypropylene
Polyurethane
Polyvinylchloride
Others / Fibreglass
CONCAWE comment: This list is not comprehensive and the quality of the material must be appropriate for the intended application.
PETROL
Permitted ethanol content in petrol to rise from 5% to 10% in 2013
There will be a requirement to continue to offer fuels with a limit of 5% ethanol until 2013. (It is assumed that after this date such fuels will be harder to find and may disappear).
A number of difficulties have already been experienced by Federation members, most notably in respect of petrol tanks. Some types of sealing compounds react adversely to the presence of ethanol in the petrol, resulting in sticky deposits being washed through into the fuel system. While this is distressing for the victim, there are sealing compounds on the market which are compatible with petrol containing ethanol. It should be possible to re-seal the affected tank with a compatible product, after thorough cleaning to remove all traces of the non-compatible material.
The current level of volatility in petrol will not change, but will be adapted (downwards) to accommodate the increased volatility caused by adding ethanol.