Ethanol fuel

[mbzman]

Has ethanol fuel been detrimental to older fuel systems? I'm concerned in using ethanol fuel in an older CIS car because of the higher water content. Has anyone researched this or have any input into the subject?

[ps2cho]

Ethanol corrodes fuel lines...I would just check all your lines for cracks and if so, replace them.

[tjts1]

Nope. We've had it in our gas for at least 10 years.

[JohnM.]

The 15% percent blend that is common here in the USA is not supposed to do anything to rubber lines, but you still hear a bit of grumbling from the classic car crowd.

[mbzman]

It is 10% up here. I have heard that that the Government wants to increase the percentage over the coming decade. I try and always run ethanol free (premium of course) but it is very limited now.

[compress ignite]

Is It's Hygroscopic (ATTRACTS WATER LIKE MAD) nature.
It will pull environmental moisture in through the Vent System of Fuel Tanks.
Then as the Fuel "Sits" (sometimes for as little as 48 hours) the Ethanol/H2O
SEPARATES OUT of the Fuel Mixture ["Phase Separation"] to the Bottom of the System.
So the FIRST sip the engine gets is not fuel but the Water/Ethanol mixture.

The Extreme Corrosion effects seen in Ethanol systems is due to the WATER
/Ethanol mix.

[Adler]

And among other faults causes the fuel gauge to become erratic .i Had this happen to my newly replaced fuel sender unit ,cleaning the delicate resistance wires of the unit brought normal operation.
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[Chas H]

I've been running the 10% ethanol for just about ever and haven't experienced any problems. That includes leaving it in seasonal use equipment.

[dlssmith]

I've been running 10% ethanol blend, mandated by the corn heads in Iowa, for years. Haven't really had noticeable problems. Have run it in lawn mowers and small tractors too with little effect or concern.

Now that I'm living in MN most of the time, I can get non-ethanol premium and the E320 and Passat like it a lot better. The Passat 2.0 turbo actually pings on ethanol blended gas when pulling up a hill. Not so on non-ethanol. The E320 isn't as obviously addicted to real gas. But I know she likes it better.

[oldsinner111]

I run it in my modded m104.

[LandYaghtLover]

There is no issue unless you get LOTS or water in there. And then it can form an acid which will corrode things... over a couple decades....

[Fimum Fit]

shows most of the above symptoms, along with some strange rough running which I believe come from the truck's rather low stock compression not squeezing the Ethanol tightly enough for its specs. My '76 912E (only 7.6 t0 1!) shows the same issue.

[JohnM.]

Originally Posted by Fimum Fit

I believe come from the truck's rather stock low compression not squeezing the Ethanol tightly enough for its specs. My '76 912E (only 7.6 t0 1!) shows the same issue.

You might be on to something!

[connerm]

I just finished reading An Edible History of Humanity by Tom Standage. He says that it takes 4/5 gallon of fossil fuel and hundreds of gallons of water to make 1 gal of ethanol. His point was that it is foolish to use food crops to make fuel when other forms of cellulose are readily available. This has to do with around $7 billion in subsidies. Follow the money. All I know is that it made my 1980 KZ1000 MKII with 28mm Mikuni smooth side carbs, run like crap.

[slk230red]

Originally Posted by Chas H

I've been running the 10% ethanol for just about ever and haven't experienced any problems. That includes leaving it in seasonal use equipment.

Me too!