15% Ethanol

Will 15% Ethanol Hurt Older Car Fuel Systems? Although This New Fuel Is Only Targeted For 2001 And Up Cars. I'm Sure At Some Point The Mighty Oil Companies Will Say It Is Safe For Older Cars.

 

I wouldn't run it. I avoid ethanol completely when it comes to my 68.

 

At least you have a choice. A lot of us don't have the good stuff available anymore. o No:

 

Ethanol-Free gas stations:

http://pure-gas.org/


.

 

Gotta wonder how old that site is. When I saw that it was available here in town I looked at the map. There's hasn't been a gas station at that location for years.

 

Really? Is that just a local deal? I can buy non-ethanol in Moorhead too.

 

Can you add the address and description so the next time we are in town we can be sure of getting "good stuff"?

 

So what does this mean? That we cant run our cars on this gas or what. I live in Cali and i don't think we have the good gas here. What damage am i looking at on my 401 Nailhead if this ethanol is used and what to do to try reducing the damage if any.

 

The MN Street Rod Association's list shows a place in Mankato that sells non-oxygenated fuel.
That's somewhat near you isn't it?

 

Alcohol will tend to dry out gaskets.
Not a good thing.
Washington state has a plan in place that is triggered by some production goals tied to farming and when we get to the point that we can produce enough product here, they are going to trigger a requirement that ALL gas be this junk.

The law has no exceptions and because of this the aviation community is worked up.
They have said that the alcohol will dry the gaskets and potentially cause aviation accidents.
Now I expect that at some time before the law goes into effect they will re write portions of it so that aviation for one is exempt, but if it's bad for their engines what's that tell you about ours?

The only reason that they will probably get an exemption is that if you break down you can call triple A and if you develop a gas leak and your car catches fire you can pull over and get out.
Not so easy in a plane.
Besides, the people in government want us to all buy a Prius anyway.

 

Dry out what gaskets? Plus, it could take years to dry out a gasket or a hose.

Just replace your rubber hoses every couple years. As far as gaskets go, are you guys over analyzing things a bit? How many miles a year do you drive your car? If it's a fuel pump gasket you're worried about or a carb gasket, how hard is that to replace?

I wouldn't think gaskets involved in the combustion process would matter.

 

Some people drive their car every day.
I have probably put 10,000 miles or so on a 60's buick in a year recently.
300 miles a week for work alone, plus keep it running all weekend!

Miles driven wouldn't be the whole story anyway since while the car sits there is gas everywhere that gets fuel while the engine is running.

The problem with the rubber and gaskets is it can eat away at it and clog things up.

I would bet that there are newer material gaskets and hoses to use though.
One trip through the engine compartment and $50 later should take care of most of that problem.

The part that I don't know about is how the alcohol compares to gas for energy? How is it for octane in the older higher compression engines?

Someone on this board knows those answers! I don't know that much about how it compares for making power.

 

I understand this 15% fuel is only for vehicles made after 2006 so there will have to be another pump and holding tank for them

 

I just found out from my local small motor fix it guy that the ethanol is ruining all carbs on small motors, lawn mowers and such if they have plastic parts in the carb. The carb gets ruined and then you have to rebuild it. The rebuild kit is so high in price for 20 dollars more you can get a new carb. He said this is creating a lot of problems for small motors. The gov't is just doing what's best for us. Ha Ha.

 

David, I've read, and experienced, anywhere from 20%-25% reduced miles per gallon running E85(15% ethanol).

 

David,
I believe E85 contains up to 85% Ethanol. Not 15%.

 

Most of the gas now has up to 10% ethanol. This 15% stuff must be new. I personally have not seen it yet. I wonder if there's an additive that can reduce the negative effects of ethanol on rubber.

 

You're right Dale, I mis-typed that, meant E15.

Ken, the 15% mixture JUST got approval from the Feds, for vehicles back to 2001 model year. I read it in yesterday's paper. They haven't done the testing that is mandated before they can approve it for anything older. I'm sure gas stations have to label the pumps appropriately.

 

YIKES!!
Combine that with gas tax going up all the time to offset the improved MPG of newer rigs in the old state budgets and you have some spendy driving in our future!

I have faith in the after market guys to help us out some on this!

I have no idea of what percent ethanol is in the Washington mandate for all future fuels.
I just don't know enough about the stuff to key in on all the details.
I do know that it's enough to make write ups in aviation magazines.