15% ethanol in gasoline passes.

[Diamondpilot]

I'm not trying to stir the pot, but I see a lot of people saying they have seen this kind of problem, or that kind of problem and it was caused by ethanol. How do you know it was caused by ethanol? For example, the carb on your chainsaw needed rebuilt. Maybe it would have needed rebuilt if it had been running pure gas. You say the fuel line fell apart because of ethanol. Maybe the fuel line fell apart because it is old. People often make observations not based on fact.

I guess what I'm asking has there been any kind of study about the impacts of ethanol on various type of engines and fuel systems?

I did a home test when we were having major issues with small engines.

What I did was get a gallon of regular unleaded 89 octane at the airport, all they had. I then went to my local gas station and got a gallon of 87 octane E10 and a gallon of E85.

I poured about 15oz of each in a mason jar and marked the side of the jar. I then cut a 3" section of fuel hose and put it in each jar. I also put a few o-rings, and a chunk of metal in each and let it sit all summer. Maybe 4 months.

At the end of the summer I saw more evaporation on the ethanol fuels, rubber fuel line and o-rings degraded/softened/cracked, and build up on the chunk of metal. I could also see separation and moisture in the jars of the ethanol fuels. No issues on the strait gas. Proof enough for me.

Chris

 

[dodge man]

Good test Chris. Can't say I'm surprised. I've always thought ethanol fuels have a shelf life of a few weeks.

 

[clemsonfor]

I read that today. Of course I an't find the article now but they're claiming that autos from 2001 to 2006 are OK to run it after all. It didn't say anything about my generator, chainsaws, snowsleds, ATV,...

I guess it's time to start buying airplane fuel.

Thats great, out of 4 vehicles my wife and i own only one qualifies in that range, i guess every thing else will tear up, and i cant really afford something else right now.

 

[clemsonfor]

Got one. He is one of the best.





He says the gas is the problem that any problems he see are universal between E10 and neat gas. I don't see what is contradictory. Surly a guy that works on 100's of saw a month is going to see the gauntlet of issues.

I have about a dozen Stihl small engines that have run on pretty much nothing but E10.

Why have you had a "dozen" Stihl engines? Are you burning them up with E10 or do you own a lawncare or tree service?

 

[clemsonfor]

I see what you are saying. But right now the demand is not HIGH. if there is more demand for corn, and if more people start getting involved growing corn because it can be profitable, then prices will go down with supply going up with demand. Also whats this garbage about burn our food for fuel. its not sweet corn we are growing for ethanol- its field corn. If local stores need corn, more of us can grow corn for them for extra cash. I know for a fact my local grocery store SUPPORTS the small farmers.

.

Wow, are you serious? Why do you think the state of Iowa, nebraska, kansas and all the other grew so much corn 25-30 years ago before ethonol was even thought of? Those were not thousands of acres of sweet corn, you are right they are field corn. No the do not go to your grocery for you to buy and eat, you can eat it, maybe if you boil it all day or grind it into meal. Its used to grind up and make corn meal and corn products like corn flakes etc, but also its used to FEED cows chickens and pigs. Ever hear of grain feed beef? SO direcly most is not on our table but in a way it is as its what grew most of the meats that make it to your table.

 

[clemsonfor]

Well, comparatively speaking I remember working up around Canton about 10 years ago and seeing them come into town with their horses and buggies.
We have a village of Mennonites up this way that make their livlihoods building sheds and selling steel roofing... but they still use their horses and bicycles. Kind of different to pass a combine, and find that it's being pulled by a team of horses.

Round here the Mennonites drive cars?

 

[Duffster]

Why have you had a "dozen" Stihl engines? Are you burning them up with E10 or do you own a lawncare or tree service?

I have 2 blowers, 2 string trimmers, 2 chain saws and 6 "concrete" saws. All are in perfect working order except one that met an early demise by being run over by a bobcat trailer.

 

[jonyyuma]

Now Tennessee Paper says that "E15 must be stored in double wall fuel tanks at stations". it is more likely to cause leaks and get into groundwater.

 

[clemsonfor]

Now Tennessee Paper says that "E15 must be stored in double wall fuel tanks at stations". it is more likely to cause leaks and get into groundwater.

So what about the metal gas tanks in my old 1980 k10? Guess i will just have to buy the polly replacements when the water the e10 absorbs rusts its out?

This is my tow/haul truck and getting 8-10 mpg it sitts in a metal carport all the time untill i need it. Which may be several days in a row to take the boat to the lake or several times a year to cut firewood or the several times a year i take my tractor and trailer to the farm. Once there it may sit for several weeks but, mostly sits under the shed. I try and go to the station around here that sells pure gas, but on the road towing i have no idea where these stations are if its an area im not in other than passing through, so it may end up with e10 everynow and then.

But like i said were lucky here to still be able to buy pure gas. I buy all boat fuel there and try to fill up all my vehicles there when possible. It costs between 8-15 cents more at anygiven time, but its still the cheapest in the little town i live near. My only other choice it to go 6 miles the other way to get e10 for 10cents/gallon less so it relly does not make any sense to do that anyway.

 

[Kep]

So what about the metal gas tanks in my old 1980 k10? Guess i will just have to buy the polly replacements when the water the e10 absorbs rusts its out?

This is my tow/haul truck and getting 8-10 mpg it sitts in a metal carport all the time untill i need it. Which may be several days in a row to take the boat to the lake or several times a year to cut firewood or the several times a year i take my tractor and trailer to the farm. Once there it may sit for several weeks but, mostly sits under the shed. I try and go to the station around here that sells pure gas, but on the road towing i have no idea where these stations are if its an area im not in other than passing through, so it may end up with e10 everynow and then.

But like i said were lucky here to still be able to buy pure gas. I buy all boat fuel there and try to fill up all my vehicles there when possible. It costs between 8-15 cents more at anygiven time, but its still the cheapest in the little town i live near. My only other choice it to go 6 miles the other way to get e10 for 10cents/gallon less so it relly does not make any sense to do that anyway.

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, the 77 chevy pickup I recently replace had e10 in it most of it's life (at least since the early 80's). Last 15 years it saw very little use (1 tank of fuel lasted all of 2006) and I never had any fuel related issues or rusted out tanks.