E-10 Gas and Your Fuel SystemNow that most markets have switched to gasoline with 10% ethanol, you need know how it will affect the fuel system in your vintage Alfa or Fiat. Your car will run perfectly fine on "E-10" gas, but if you’re not paying attention, trouble can arise. We've seen a rash of returned fuel pumps that are failing due to sediment in the gas tank being stirred up by the ethanol. Bosch is no doubt seeing this throughout the industry, and does not warranty pumps that contain foreign matter. Our failure rate is highest in Bosch-injected 1982-94 Alfa Romeo Spiders and 1980-85 Fiat Spiders. With Spica-injected Alfas, there's a filter before the main pump that seems to stop the most damaging debris from entering the pump. So what does this mean to you? If your fuel pump fails, there is a high likelihood that it is related to sediment in your fuel tank. Before you replace the fuel pump, you'll want to check the condition of your tank. The easiest way to do this is to remove the gauge sender and look into the tank with a flashlight. If you see any floating sediment or visible rust inside the tank, you'll need to take care of that problem before installing the new fuel pump. The tank will need to be removed and cleaned out; something most radiator shops will be able to handle. For Alfa Spiders, check the condition of the in-tank sock while the sender is out. If the sock is at all questionable, you should go ahead and replace it. We sell the replacement, #16511. For Fiats, you can replicate the pre-pump filter that Spica-injected Alfas use. It's our #314201. Adding this filter can really help, but simply changing a filter is no substitute for cleaning out your tank! Enjoying your car in the age of 10% ethanol fuel is just like anything else with cars of this age—preventive maintenance is the key. Taking good care of your car is the best way to make sure it'll be ready for those perfect driving days. | 
