Chaps,
I'm hoping someone may be able to help out with an issue that has raised it's ugly head here in Australia, apparently.
The back ground, as it has been explained to me, is that petrol here is now sold with a 10% alcohol component. Stretching fossil fuels and all that. It was recommended the government allow a 5% mix, but, in their wisdom, they decided to allow 10%. Stretches the fuel even further.
This is all very well but, apparently, the difference can be significant and the local vehicle manufacturer's are experiencing a slew of fuel pump failures, as a result. Not all of them of course, but significant. Enough that warranty claims are starting to hurt. A company has been hired to carry out research into the problem and find a pump type that will handle the mix. I've been told that the only suitable performance has been from a pump designed for the Mexican market where they, apparently, have a high alcohol mix, but the pump is very expensive, therefore not economically suitable.
All this sounds a bit strange, but I'm assured it's all genuine and, at this stage, I'm waiting for them to finish their study, so that I can get a recommendation before I buy my fuel pumps. I thought I'd ask the forum about it to see if anyone else has any knowledge in this area. Years ago I crewed on an alcohol dragster and we experienced a lot of trouble with injectors clagging up with the alcohol, so I know it can be tricky to use.
My questions are:
1. Has anyone come across this issue elsewhere?
2. If so, what were the recommendations / solutions?
3. Has anyone experienced fuel pump failures with mixed fuels in their cars?
I'd be very interested to hear. Thanks for any input.
Lance
I'm hoping someone may be able to help out with an issue that has raised it's ugly head here in Australia, apparently.
The back ground, as it has been explained to me, is that petrol here is now sold with a 10% alcohol component. Stretching fossil fuels and all that. It was recommended the government allow a 5% mix, but, in their wisdom, they decided to allow 10%. Stretches the fuel even further.
This is all very well but, apparently, the difference can be significant and the local vehicle manufacturer's are experiencing a slew of fuel pump failures, as a result. Not all of them of course, but significant. Enough that warranty claims are starting to hurt. A company has been hired to carry out research into the problem and find a pump type that will handle the mix. I've been told that the only suitable performance has been from a pump designed for the Mexican market where they, apparently, have a high alcohol mix, but the pump is very expensive, therefore not economically suitable.
All this sounds a bit strange, but I'm assured it's all genuine and, at this stage, I'm waiting for them to finish their study, so that I can get a recommendation before I buy my fuel pumps. I thought I'd ask the forum about it to see if anyone else has any knowledge in this area. Years ago I crewed on an alcohol dragster and we experienced a lot of trouble with injectors clagging up with the alcohol, so I know it can be tricky to use.
My questions are:
1. Has anyone come across this issue elsewhere?
2. If so, what were the recommendations / solutions?
3. Has anyone experienced fuel pump failures with mixed fuels in their cars?
I'd be very interested to hear. Thanks for any input.
Lance