Gas Octane and additives

Does my 68 Series 1.5 also have hardened valve seats or should I be using an additive to protect the valves. Also, I found a station that sells only ethanol free gasoline, but was then told by an employee at Costco that although their pumps have the 10% Ethanol sticker on them, it only pertains to the regular grade. He said the premiun never has ethanol in it. Does anyone have more information on this?

Thanks,

Jim Klekas
Salt Lake City
#1E17044

Thanks for the inputs. I filled up the e-type's tank yesterday w ethanol-free fuel from the station that I recently discovered. Car runs very strong so far! All of my buddies w/ boats and motorcycles are now wanting to purchase ethanol- free to rid themselves of the apparently deleterious impact of the ethanol. (Good posting above on this.) I'm hoping for the best.
Good stuff re the additive. I'll get some marine-type StaBil since I don't drive the Jag as much as I probably should.
Thanks, cheers!
Fredo in FL.

Google Ethanol, there is a lot of information out there. Michael, you have a nice grouping of Jaguars, what about a 6 Cyl XJS!

I use a powder called BHT which is a food perservative in all my cars. However I don't know how this is affected by ethanol if at all. I have been using this for years and I have had no problems with gas. I have never used stabil. I wonder if anybody knows how each works and which is more effective. By the way I barely drive my cars and maybe get gas per car every year or two. Michael Schenkman 52xk120ots, 57xk140dhc. 58xk150dhc, 59xk150S fhc. 73xke III and 98xk8.

Fred,
I have been told that (in addition to the lowering of the octane by the use of ethanol as an additive to the Gasoline), the major problem is that the Ethanol attacks any rubber in the fuel line and rubber components in the fuel system that it comes in contact with. This is particularly deletarious to cars that "sit unused" for any period of time (ie- a month or more)-as the ethenol also rapidly absorbes atmospheric water. I was told the you should add "Marine -type" Sta-Bil to your fuel tank -which specifically protects against the moisture absorbtion problem produced by the Ethenol additive. It is not available at most Auto stores -but usually available at Marine stores and is prominately labeled as "Marine Formula" and for "Ethanol Treatment", and of course costs more than the regular "red-labeled" Sta-Bil,

In my area (N.C.), ALL of the gas pumps state that up to 10% Ethanol has been added to the Gasoline and now they are talking about adding 15% ethanol.

I've been told to use ethanol-free fuel in my 67 etype. Word was that it might help protect the rubber diaphragms in the carb jet housing ((which are giving me fits recently). Was also told by boat owners here in FL that it makes starting and running easier.
Comments on ethanol-free fuel??
Fredo in FL.

You don't have to worry about using a lead additive. The V-12 has hardened valve seats and will run just fine on unleaded fuel. As for octane rating, the best thing is to run the car and see if you have knocking or pinking under load or when accelerating. Be careful if you do knock or pink badly, as it can damage the engine. If so, try adjusting timing and mixture before you add anything. Also, shop around. Some companies offer higher octane. I get 94 octane here at Sunoco. When I had an XJS and a '72 E-type 2+2, I generally ran the Sunoco ultra when I could get it, but the engines ran okay on 93 octane or even lower when I couldn't get the higher stuff.

Steve Weinstein, JTC-NJ
'70 XKE FHC
'69 XKE OTS