Ethanol from 10% to 15%

[boydg1]

.... Here is some more info: Cellulosic Ethanol

http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/re_ethanol_cellulosic.htm

Heard something about switch grass? being used to produce cellulose based ethanol, and that it helps to revitalize fields... Think it was a howstuffworks podcast..

[Pu241]

^^^
Interesting!

But This is the deal breaker: "The general consensus is that cellulosic ethanol technology is within 5 to 10 years of being fully commercialized."

Anyone taking bets?

[hawkdoc60]

Isn't there still some gas stations that don't have ethanol in their gas? I know there was a few months ago and they used that as a marketing point. I really don't care if it has ethanol or not. However, I DID think that adding ethanol was supposed to lower gas prices. I guess I was wrong.

[red stiva]

Ya you can get 87 octane without ethanol here. And 91. 89's ethanol.

[Pu241]

boydg1,

Now tht you've "digested" the info provided, please again explain how "hi-test" burnt your valve.

[boydg1]

…. As I mentioned earlier in my postings, after switching to hi-test gas my pinging went away, also, there was a noticeable increase in performance, not only in one car but in both, especially the KIA. And as I previously mentioned, soon after that I had valve trouble in both cars. This was a good while ago before tinkering with the gas, as we know it today, really got started. Not being a metallurgist, unknowing whether it was the valve or valve seat or a combination of both and it also seemed odd to me that both of these cars came from the same manufacturer. At that time, it was rumored that the foreign cars, as they were referred to back then, were NOT quite up to speed with our long endurance super highways and that their engines were almost, but NOT quite there yet. After taking the head off the Festiva, I took it to the machine shop, replaced the valve and seat and that cured the problem. The KIA that I mentioned had the very same symptoms and is yet to be fixed, but still runs very good the same way the Festiva did the last time I had it running. I, like you, was somewhat skeptical about all of this especially after the same symptoms showed up in the KIA also. Whenever I saw a KIA Sephia and it's driver and it was convenient, we had a talk about the car. One man in particular who had a red Sephia told me he all but beat his car up and just loved it and I forget his milage but it was up there over 100k, but still he wouldn't think of putting hi-test gas in it and was very satisfied that he could do all of that, and the car looked it too. I might add this fellow was from a rough blue collar town out in the sticks where they didn't take too much care of their own property, not to mention anyone else's. My conclusion after these interviews was plain and simple, I just should NOT have used hi-test gas. :coffee2:
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…. Hope I didn't drag this out too much for you.
.
Thanks

boydg1,

Now tht you've "digested" the info provided, please again explain how "hi-test" burnt your valve.

[bravekozak]

fuel filler neck

I asked my son what all the white stuff was in the fuel filler neck the other day. I told him it was zinc oxide from the galvanise reacting with the moisure in the ethanol in the gas. Ethanol is hygroscopic, (attracts and holds moisture) and can therefore accelerate corrosion.I prefer to only pump gas with no ethanol. Everything lasts longer. Even the carb. You are lucky to get ethanol free low octane gas in Iowa.

Phase Seperation
What happens when phase separation occurs?
Several things happen:
The ethanol and water molecules settle to the bottom of the fuel tank, forming a distinct layer of water and ethanol on the bottom and pure gas on top.
Fuel for the engine is drawn from the bottom of the tank. An engine will not run properly (if at all) on a mixture of ethanol and water. The ethanol and water mixture is very corrosive to some metals and can damage internal components.
The remaining gasoline, without ethanol will have an octane level below the origional fuel's octane level, approximatly 2-3 octane lower. This octane level may be below the requirements of the engine.

The Ethanol Illusion

Replace your fuel filter at least once per year.
Install a water separating fuel filter.

[blkfordsedan]

So....when does phase separation occur? When there is already water present in the tank? After sitting and absorbing moisture for a couple years?

I believe you, but I honestly can't say I've ever had any issues with E10, or at least not that I have ever noticed. I try to run straight 87 dino juice when I can, but I usually fill up with E10 when the temps start to get down below freezing. Whats the diff between E10 and dumping in a bottle of Heet (which is Methanol I believe?)?

[boydg1]

.... Thank you, and I found this to be a very informtive read: The Ethanol Illusion. Also, I never thought about Replaceing my fuel filter at least once per year and Installing a water separating fuel filter, good idea. If you come up with any additional practical solution: Methods, Brand Names, Procedures etc. I for one will be looking for your POST. :thumbup:
.
Thanks again
.

I asked my son what all the white stuff was in the fuel filler neck the other day. I told him it was zinc oxide from the galvanise reacting with the moisure in the ethanol in the gas. Ethanol is hygroscopic, (attracts and holds moisture) and can therefore accelerate corrosion.I prefer to only pump gas with no ethanol. Everything lasts longer. Even the carb. You are lucky to get ethanol free low octane gas in Iowa.

Phase Seperation
What happens when phase separation occurs?
Several things happen:
The ethanol and water molecules settle to the bottom of the fuel tank, forming a distinct layer of water and ethanol on the bottom and pure gas on top.
Fuel for the engine is drawn from the bottom of the tank. An engine will not run properly (if at all) on a mixture of ethanol and water. The ethanol and water mixture is very corrosive to some metals and can damage internal components.
The remaining gasoline, without ethanol will have an octane level below the origional fuel's octane level, approximatly 2-3 octane lower. This octane level may be below the requirements of the engine.

The Ethanol Illusion

Replace your fuel filter at least once per year.
Install a water separating fuel filter.

[boydg1]

.... Heard on the news today that the price of gas has gone up because the price of corn and oil have increased. What do you think of that? Demand has gone down but the price has goin UP because of the price gas!! Only the very rich will eventually be able to drive!!
.
.

[Pu241]

.... Heard on the news today that the price of gas has gone up because the price of corn and oil have increased. What do you think of that?

Strange, because I heard the price of oil has increased because of the weaker dollar has worked it way through the wholesalers and finally reached us in the retail market.
I would bet that corn has increased because of all the fuel it takes to harvest, process, and transport it.
It's called cause and effect.