Hey guys,

 

Gull Fuels has started selling "Force10" from their gas stations here in NZ. Its really just E10 with a clever name and lots of tv advertising.

 

My Legacy pings on 91RON but runs beautifully on 98RON, up untill now it has only been available for stupid money from BP (About $110NZD to fill 'er up). This gull Force10 stuff is a fair bit cheaper however, and has a 98RON rating.

 

What i need to know is:

1) Can i run E10 in my JDM Legacy with a n/a EZ30?

2) Ive put 2 tanks of force10 through already - and the car runs fine but i dont want my fuel pressure regulator desolving when im not looking. What damage do Ethanol mix fuels supposedly do?

 

Subaru New Zealand says that NZ new cars are fine to use it but JDM models and any EJ25 motors, or vehicles older than '96 should not.

 

Gull fuels dont really know anything and say "Some Legacy models may run the fuels - others should not, contact your local mechanic".

 

The local mechanic (Andy) says "Aint got a clue bro, i'd go search the innanets".

We have been using the ethanol mix for a few years now. No problems. Let me assure you its no miracle sauce. I have never seen a difference between the old and the new.

Subaru New Zealand says that NZ new cars are fine to use it but JDM models and any EJ25 motors, or vehicles older than '96 should not.

I'm not familiar with your models nor what differences there are from N/A market cars, so this may be useless. Still, that thing about not using it in any EJ25 motors is sure odd. Tons of places in the States require E10 and have for quite a while, and most all the Subies here are EJ25 motors. I know that the only issue I have had in my Baja (EJ255) is that I pay the same money for higher octane ratings. Well, actually, mpg may be significantly lower in the winter than with straight gasoline even though there was no detectable difference in the summer with my super-special additive secret.

 

In any case, your combustion chambers and fuel injectors should have significantly lower deposit levels because alcohol is a good cleaner. Personally, I'd probably run it and not worry much about it. May end up needing a fuel filter fairly soon if the car has a bunch of crap in the tank?

Just got an email back from Subaru New Zealand:

 

Ethanol suitability for SubarusMost Subarus purchased new in New Zealand since 1990 are capable of running on the ethanol blended fuel now being introduced to the local market.

However any Japanese domestic specification models which have been imported here second hand (i.e.). second hand Japanese imports - should not be run on the ethanol blended fuel.

 

These cars are only suitable for 3 percent blended fuels. The fuel being sold in New Zealand has a 10 percent ethanol blend.

The 10 percent ethanol blended fuel could cause damage to the fuel line, fuel injector sealing, fuel pump or fuel regulator of these second hand Japanese imports. The fumes from the blended fuel after combustion can also have a harmful effect on the catalytic converter, the exhaust gas regulator and the muffler.

 

Those Subarus which can use the 10 percent ethanol blended fuel have a 17 digit VIN number beginning with either JF1 or JF2. The VIN number can be found at the bottom of the central door pillar on the passenger’s side of the car or in the engine bay.

 

The second hand Japanese imports which should not use the ethanol blended fuel have VIN numbers starting with 7A8. (Mine starts with 7A8)

...................................

New Zealand new STI models and Blitzen/RSK/GT models were also deemed unsuitable for the blended fuel.

 

Anybody have any opinions on this?

 

 

 

That is interesting what Subaru had to say. I would follow the doctor's advice.

they are full of it about the cat converter - they work BETTER.

 

The ethanol makes less work since there are less HC (hydrocarbons).

 

I wouldn't use E85 though (a fuel we have in the US 85% ethanol) You are safe with E10 (unless they are RADICALLY different in the fuel system from US cars - as others have said EVERYTHING here uses E10 or MTBE blends particularly in the winter). Avoid METHANOL, though - it eats seals (at least on older vehicles)

 

mtbe - methyl tri butyl ether ("oxygen additive") might not be "tri" but it doesn't matter anyway

I think it's "tertiary". I'm sure you all care.

I care! Do you have any idea of the implications of having a secondary butyl group!?!. ......i dont...but its still important its tertiary