The ethanol problem all relates to phase separation, and attached is a scientific article that explains what happens:
The second page really explains how and why it will damage an engine.
E15 and Engines - Can Ethanol Damage my Engine - Popular Mechanics
Thanks for that memory! I read that article when it came out (2010) and I was afraid, very afraid. I bought my first bottle of Sta-bil as a result of that article. It all sounds plausible and my fear is not completely gone. But I am wondering why the predictions are so different than what I've experienced. Also who wrote that article? Maybe the Petroleum institute, unhappy with sharing 10% of the market with the Ethanol folks? 10% loss is a huge motivation for any market; plenty to form a political action committee or initiate a focused advertising campaign and start pumping out articles or hire radio personalities. (10% is Billions in the Petrol industry)
It was after that article that I started to bump a chainsaw on the ground, or tip a lawnmower sideways before pulling on the rope (to shake up the bowl gas). Or lay a motorcycle on the ground, which makes a noticeable difference in starting (with E-10 gas). It does make sense that if the fuel separates, the water will be in higher concentration at the bottom. Anyway I do suspect for a LOT of folks if their motor doesn't start it goes to the repair shop where the guy tells them it's not their fault it's the E-10 mandate thank you very much.
The omissions interest me. Why are these 'ethanol damaged' cars, toys and machinery not appearing on craigslist at deep discount? Costco & Home Depot and many others offer great warranties, why would they continue to warranty eqpt with E-10 damage (which by now, would come with an addendum stating that carbs must be drained) and not say a word publically? Why don't you see mechanics shops marketing their "Ethanol damage specialist"? Why do you have to search so hard for an ethanol-free station, and pure gas only cost a few pennies more? It ought to cost 40cents more in my opinion, and the Suppliers ought to be providing fancy hi-viz signs advertising "pure gas", not scrawled out on posterboard with a sharpie. Its so often there's an "I heard" about somebody having problems. Or "the repair shop guy said". As I said before there must be a hundred motors between me and my co-workers, and no genuine evidence of a problem.
If I am so lucky I should buy lottery tickets.:cool2:
I would prefer to pay the farmers to grow something we can eat, and close down the ethanol plants.
Agreed. Depleting our soil to grow Ethanol instead of food seems almost immoral IMHO. Especially when there's already petrol down there. But foreign dependence, or giving so many US dollars to OPEC is a big problem too. I don't know what to say about this part of the problem.
