News

The FBHVC’s fuel stability additive test programme has been designed to show that additives provide a high level of protection against potential corrosion of fuel systems, including tanks, pipework and fuel metering equipment on historic vehicles using petrol containing ethanol. The test method employs an accelerated aging process which simulates 12 months’ storage of a petrol-ethanol mix, coupled with an industry-recognised corrosion testing method, carried out every two weeks to assess the effects of possible degradation of ethanol in storage. The combined test, carried out by an independent and well established testing agency, assesses levels of protection provided by proprietary fuel additives for use with petrol containing ethanol.

Unfortunately the testing has been delayed. Delays resulted initially because of unexpected contamination in the corrosion testing process, which forced the abandonment of the test programme about half-way through the 13 week test cycle. The cycle was started again in the late summer/early autumn, but difficulties were then experienced in making the test severe enough to ensure that candidate additives were adequately put through their paces. This unfortunately led to further delays while the test protocol was refined to ensure that the method would select only those candidate additives offering real protection against potential corrosion from petrol containing ethanol. The Federation recognises that these delays are unfortunate, but wishes owners of historic vehicles to be reassured that any endorsement given for a protective fuel additive will be of real value. This important objective is regarded as over-riding the pressing need to issue endorsements at the earliest opportunity.

The current status is that additive testing continues, and results will be announced as soon as they are known, which will now be during the early part of 2012. The Federation respectfully requests the forbearance of members who are waiting for definitive test results.