<VV> FYI - Ethanol

[Dale Dewald]

At 21:50 10/13/2010 -0400, Matt wrote:

>I've lived in two states that went to ethanol 105 [sic] mix.  Calif.  and 
>Oregon.
>No problems  nada....  not even a noticeable drop in mileage...
>
>And I only own old stuff...
>
>  This scare comes up several times per year...

This is not a scare, you simply have not had the experience....

I would agree that for those who live in DRY and relatively warm 
environments, ethanol blends of even up to 25% would probably work 
well.  However, those of us the live in damp (near the Great Lakes in my 
case) and relatively cool environments (the Upper Peninsula certainly 
qualifies) even 10% ethanol can be a real problem.  It is not the burning 
of the ethanol blend that is a problem, but the corrosion brought on by 
absorption of water from moist air.  More modern vehicles with mostly 
closed fuel systems perhaps do not get as much atmospheric moisture into 
their fuel. However, all of the small engines and older vehicles (including 
our Corvairs) with directly vented fuel systems will pick up moisture. It 
is just a matter of how much and long before corrosion begins and the 
damage is done. It is worse if the engine or vehicle is not used frequently 
or is stored for any length of time. I religiously use fuel preservative 
compounds--they help prevent varnish and gum and slow down corrosion, but 
do not solve the ethanol/moisture problem.

I am at least fortunate in that NO retailers in my area sell ethanol blend 
fuels after about mid-September through mid-May; no doubt because of all 
the problems it causes during winter.

NOTE: At very cold temperatures, moisture laden alcohols will separate from 
gasoline and create hydrate; a jelly-like sludge that will plug fuel 
filters and damage electric fuel pumps and fuel injectors.

All I need is yet more special interest backed politicians mandating the 
use of things that are damaging to me or my property all the while using my 
tax dollars to fund these schemes.

Dale Dewald
Hancock, MI