<VV> RE: Does it make sense? NO

[james.f.burkhard]

And further, for one reason or another, very often the fuel-use ethanol
sold in the US is highly acid (ph ~4 or less). I believe the ethanol per
se should be neutral, but in processing, it picks up a contaminants that
acidify it.  In any event, the OEMs have been bitching about this for a
long while because it kills injectors, even the versions built to
withstand neutral ethanol. The acidic ethanol isn't a given in any
sample, but it is very common.

You guys are living in fantasy land when it comes to the viability of
ethanol as a fuel for the masses in quantity great enough to even
measure a tick towards reducing any dependence on oil. The economics
aren't there, the energy content isn't there, the "well to wheel"
efficiency isn't there, and there isn't enough plowable land in the
country.  Interest in Ethanol is a distraction that is only motivated by
pork barreling from the farm belt and heavy lobbies of agribusiness
giants (notably ADM).  Untampered with real world forces of science and
economics do not support it. Get real.

If you really want to put it in your car, go for it.  There are a number
of Vair vendors willing to sell you replacement bits for everything you
wreck.

Jim Burkhard


 -----Original Message-----
From: FrankCB at aol.com [mailto:FrankCB at aol.com]
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2005 12:44 PM
To: werpknarly at centurytel.net; PIROCZ at aol.com; virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: Re: Does it make sense? Re: <VV> E-85 LONG - future?



In a message dated 8/22/05 10:20:23 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
werpknarly at centurytel.net writes:



again its not corrosive, its a solvent, like gasoline, but more so and
cleaner, its what's in all those little bottles of "gas line
anti-freeze",
the "gunk" that ethanol get out of a car's fuel system is what's left
behind
by years of using gasoline.




Joe,
       Quoting from the E-85 Vehicle website, " When these materials
(such as aluminum) come in contact with ethanol,they may dissolve in the
fuel...."  Now whether you call E-85 "corrosive" or a "solvent" is of
less importance than the fact that it REACTS with many materials in
common use in fuel systems.  The website also states that zinc, brass,
lead, aluminum, lead based solder, and terne plated steel (such as found
in stock Corvair gas tanks) as well as many rubbers and plastics are all
considered unsafe for use with ethanol based fuels.  This site also
lists materials that ARE safe for use with ethanol fuels.
       P.S.  Most gas line anti-freezes contain methanol not ethanol.
Methanol is even more corrosive (or "reactive") than ethanol.  The best
ones, which I use, contain isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) which is much
less corrosive and absorbs much more water than methanol.
       Frank "let's get ALL the facts" Burkhard



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