THE ETHYL CONTROVERSY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 18

THE ETHYL CONTROVERSY.

BRITISH EXPERT'S VIEWS.

DOCTORS' EVIDENCE DISAGREES.

A controversy which has had but faint echoes in New Zealand has been the cause of much heated argument in English and American motoring circles, and although hardly mentioned here has an important bearing on the oil and motor industries. It concerns the use of the fuel known as tetra ethyl petrol.

The advice of doctors well versed in the detection and classification of poisonous gases lias been drawn upon and expert .mechanics have given their opinions, on the effects of the exhaust gases of tetra ethyl fuel upon the human.system, and upon the engine. But despite all the excellent advice received the principals concerned in the controversy. could not agree.

It is alleged by its opponents that the value of etihyl pctrpl as an eliminator of pinking is more than discounted, by its harmful effects 011 the engine. The contention that higher ratios of compression are undesirable because of the greatly increased stresses 011 reciprocating parts and bearings they involve, may be put aside because they will undoubtedly be provided for if those rations are adopted in practice. Very much the same sort of argument was put forward in the long ago when designers began to diminish cylinder bores and increase strokes, and 1000 feet per minute was regarded as the practical limit of piston speed.

The British Government has promised an investigation into the alleged dangers of the new ethyl fuel introduced from America. The "Daily Mail" is conducting tests with a medium-powered car, a .light car, and a motor cycle. Bacih vehicle* will run 5000 miles on ethyl petrol and tests will be made for poisonous deposits which might endanger a workman engaged in decarbonising. Research is also being conducted with exhaust fumes as it has been stated that a leakage through the floor boards of a closed / car is very dangerous.