Topic: Increase in ethanol content

[grumpy]

The govt. should be subsidizing fresh fruits and vegetables, hemp and switchgrass,  not corn. 

amen.

[BobbyR]

The AMA has weighed in on the issue:

"The AMA supports the use of cleaner-burning fuels, but we are concerned about premature engine damage or failure while a bike is being ridden on a highway if the allowable level of ethanol is raised to 20 percent," said Imre Szauter, AMA legislative affairs specialist.

"We are also concerned about any degradation in performance, fuel economy and rideability that may result from the long-term use of blended fuels with greater than 10 percent ethanol."

The proposal currently under consideration comes from Minnesota, but the AMA notes that an EPA waiver would open the door to the sale of 20 percent ethanol blends across the country, without any evaluation of the long-term consequences.  With the limited number of choices at gas stations, that could force out existing blends and leave some riders without a suitable fuel choice for their vehicles.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-news/motorcycles-ethanol.htm

[bwaller]

If we were meant to make gas from corn we'd all be cows. 

[333]

The burning of ethanol creates carbon, which is harder than the hardest steel.  Use of SeaFoam as a gas additive is a real good idea for all air cooled engines, especially two strokes.

[Johnie]

The burning of ethanol creates carbon, which is harder than the hardest steel.  Use of SeaFoam as a gas additive is a real good idea for all air cooled engines, especially two strokes.

Are you using the Sea Foam every fill up? Or is that what the Chevron Techron is for?

[MRieck]

http://mystarbrite.com/startron/

[mick750F]

  Okay Mike...Are you using it, or stirring the kettle? 

Mike

[BobbyR]

On Jan. 16 of this year, Lexus ordered a massive recall of certain 2006 to 2008 models, including the GS Series, IS and LS sedans. According to the recall notice, the problem is that "Ethanol fuels with low moisture content will corrode the internal surface of the fuel rails." In layman's terms, ethanol causes pinpoint leaks in the fuel system; when leaking fuel catches your engine on fire, that's an exciting way to have your insurance company buy your Lexus. Using ethanol will cost Toyota (TM) untold millions.


And there are active lawsuits from boat owners; ethanol broke down the resins in their fiberglass gas tanks, destroying their marine engines. Additionally, those who deal in small gas engines for lawnmowers, edgers, and weedeaters have quickly learned that, as Briggs & Stratton's (BGG) Web site warns, "Ethanol-blended gasoline can attract moisture, which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gasoline can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage. B&S strongly recommends removing ethanol-blended fuels from engine during storage."

http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/may2009/bw20090514_058678.htm

[Duke McDukiedook]

If it doesn't kill you in the process.

[Retro Rocket]

While we still have "clean" fuel i refuse to use ethanol blended fuels. I have already had to have the lawn mower rebuilt because parts of the plastic carburetor basically turned to #$%* from the ethanol. The local small engine repair shop now has signs warning people not to use ethanol fuels......

Mick

[TwoTired]

While we still have "clean" fuel i refuse to use ethanol blended fuels. I have already had to have the lawn mower rebuilt because parts of the plastic carburetor basically turned to #$%* from the ethanol. The local small engine repair shop now has signs warning people not to use ethanol fuels......

Mick

We don't have a choice in California.  It's run by a Democrat majority and a single republican by proclamation only.  His policies fall right in line with the Dems.  Tax the people and make them pay for living.  All auto gasoline is mandated to be ethanol blended, as it is best for funding their "pork" projects.

Lots of ignorant voters in California, I'm afraid.  Wonderful countryside, dismal government.

[Johnie]

So in other words, when you fill up your tank during the winter storage here in WI...be sure to fill with the 93 octane no ethanol from Shell.

[falconhockey]

there is one gas station 30 min from me that has non-ethonal gas, i make my last ride of every season there to top off the tank before storage..... helps her sleep better all winter

[Mekun]

Oregon is 10% ethanol. I found out the hard way on my lawn mower the damage it does. Never had a problem with rust till now.

I ran my bike hard one day in the winter when it was dry.I put the bike in my garage the air was fairly cold, after a couple days i went for a ride and it died on me but i managed to limp home. The tank and carbs where full of water. Never had that problem with regular gas.

[Deltarider]

I don't know if there are any 'designer' fuels in your markets. Personally I have good experiences with Shell's V-Power and BP's Ultimate, the latter being my favourite. As far as I know they contain no ethanol.

[MRieck]

  Okay Mike...Are you using it, or stirring the kettle? 

Mike

I just started using it Mike.

[mycb750k6]

Sounds like a good black market opportunity. Who'll ship me a 50 gallon drum of ethanol free gas to CA

Optionally, is there any way the home chemist can remove the ethanol from a 5 gallon storage container of gas?

[cb650]

One of these days we're all gonna have to start setting up stills in our garages to separate the gasoline from the ethanol. 

There's a gas station not too far from here that still offers pure gasoline.  I haven't hit them up yet, but I've been meaning to just to see if I can tell a difference in how the K1 runs on it.   

Where at?   Only one I've seen is out in Kiowa.

[BobbyR]

  Okay Mike...Are you using it, or stirring the kettle? 

Mike

I just started using it Mike.

This is just Ducky. We pay 3.00 a gallon for crappy fuel and then we have to pay even more for an additive to protect us from or mitigate the damage the the crappy fuel does.

[Sam Green Racing]

I don't know if there are any 'designer' fuels in your markets. Personally I have good experiences with Shell's V-Power and BP's Ultimate, the latter being my favourite. As far as I know they contain no ethanol.

The only ethanol in shell products was in their V power in the Ausie market, now discontinued.
I know this as I checked the Shell website before putting VPower in my glassed tank classic race bike. After 15 minutes in the tank it was pi$$ing out. maybe it's not just ethanol in some fuels.

Sam.

[Deltarider]

Shell's V-Power differs for various markets. It is not even the same in neighboring countries Holland and Germany.

[Sam Green Racing]

Shell's V-Power differs for various markets. It is not even the same in neighboring countries Holland and Germany.

I've used it for years in my 2 stroke RS and the CR in my avatar but both with alloy tanks, looks like I'll have to have an ally tank made for the old one.

Sam. 

[Gordon]

Sounds like a good black market opportunity. Who'll ship me a 50 gallon drum of ethanol free gas to CA

Optionally, is there any way the home chemist can remove the ethanol from a 5 gallon storage container of gas?

Mix with water and then let sit until the saturated ethanol and water has settled to the bottom.  Then siphon off the gas from the top.  I'm not sure what this will do to the octane rating, though.  I have a 7gal glass carboy that I used to use for homebrewing that I plan on trying this with.   

[Deltarider]

I have a 7gal glass carboy that I used to use for homebrewing that I plan on trying this with.

I suggest you serve it with an olive. 

[Duke McDukiedook]

For some reason this brings me back to the days when pappy would get bust the still out back in the holler... 

You think the pohlice will want in on some of this action?