Good news/Bad news

[ckessel]

Just read on Fox this morning that Mr. T, aka the Don, is enabling the ethanol producers to go full time in making it. Good news for those of us in that industry and the possibility of fuel costs dropping. Bad news is that the concentration of ethanol in the fuel is going to rise causing more fuel boiling problems in our old rides. Time for some remedies, fixes, additives in the fuel to protect the aluminum parts in the fuel systems. Just thought ya'll might want to know.

 

[Jerry Hall]

Maybe aluminum parts for you. On my end I have seen fuel tanks rust and rot, rubber fuel lines turn to goo, fuel pump go south, carbs get gummed up, etc. Ethanol is not good for anything on our old school muscle cars. My opinion is use corn to eat, oh my bad I have a friend who had to have about 3 feet of colon removed from diverticulitis, the doctor said no more corn.

 

[ckessel]

Corn is good for chips, cereal, tortillas and I'm sure other things. For sure, bad news for old cars. Luckily there are remedies at hand so we can keep motoring.

 

[Wietse]

At what percentages are these bio fuels becoming an issue?
Now here in Europe the added 5% of bio fuel to the 98 Octane fuel. (Now called E5 fuel)
What could be used according you to stabilise or remove the effects of this?

 

[GetX'd]

I'm no scientist but I think the use of some of the additives like Race Gas - which is what i use here. But in California the premium gas is only up to 91 octane. I think at 98 you're still in pretty good shape. I'll let some others chime in that may have a varied opinion.

 

[ckessel]

Both Amsoil and Gibbs make additives to combat the attacking metals, aluminum and zinc[ aka carbs, fuel pumps etc], plus to help keep it from separating in the tank. Probably StaBil too would work for us as its aimed at small engines, aka mowers/blowers etc. As far as the concentration percentages to worry about, I would say anything past 0 is going to be an issue with the higher percentages being worse. As was pointed out by Jerry Hall, it loves rubber and can induce rusting in the tank[probably more from separating]. Remember too that the tank you pumped your fuel from is underground and they collect water which you get free of charge. Stations supposedly are not bound to let you know if its, alcohol, in the fuel but most of the ones I've seen says up to 15% possible.

 

[Joske2]

I'm no scientist but I think the use of some of the additives like Race Gas - which is what i use here. But in California the premium gas is only up to 91 octane. I think at 98 you're still in pretty good shape. I'll let some others chime in that may have a varied opinion.

98 here is about the same as 93 in the US. Its readily avavilble here.

 

[Kernel Sanders]

not just bad for our old rides but don't want that **** in our outboard's lawnmowers, snowblowers... etc etc especially left sitting with that **** in the tanks IMO

 

[RoadRunner1970]

ethanol free gas for me, just hope they don't stop selling it....I use it in the mower, blower and all cars.........

 

[RJRENTON]

Gentlemen,
Beside the issues noted, the biggest problem with ethanol and ethanol blended fuels is: ethanol has HALF of the heating value or energy (expressed as BTU/unit of measurement) as gasoline. To get the same energy as gasoline provides, you must burn TWICE the volume. But WHY is it not half the price per gallon as gasoline. There is a formula the factors the price equilivant based on the percentage ethanol in the dispenced composition of the fuel. E85 (85% ethanol) fuel is only 5-10 cents/gallon (+/-) less than gasoline....is this fair?
If you are driving a newer vehicle, capable of operating on ethanol blended fuels, you will experience a drop in MPG when using those fuels compared to straight gasoline. For example, if you were getting, say 20 MPG, you will get 15-16 MPG when using ethanol blended fuels. How sad! I try to never use ethanol based fuels if at all possible.....corn farmers not withstanding. But...this is just my opinion.
Bob Renton

 

[Wietse]

@RJRENTON: I would like to fully agree with you with avoiding any ethanol blended fuel.
Unfortunately all fuels are blended nowdays in Europe, there is no way around it.