What happens when phase separation occurs?
Several things happen: • The ethanol and water molecules settle to the bottom of the fuel tank forming a distinct layer of water & ethanol on the bottom and petrol without ethanol on the top. • Fuel for the engine is drawn from the bottom of the tank. An engine will not run properly, if at all, on ethanol and water. The ethanol and water mixture is very corrosive to some metals and can damage internal engine components. • The remaining petrol, without ethanol, will have an octane level below the original E10 fuels octane level, approximately 2 ~ 3 points lower. This octane level may be below the requirements of the engine.
