gas recommendation
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 311
Likes: 13
fuel
I'd try to find fuel without ethanol if possible. A few stations in my area carry regular with or without ethanol. Most of Premiums don't have ethanol either. It seems like the farmers are the only ones that benefit from ethanol.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 1
Not really farmers. Big business agriculture, yes. Farmers, well, if you insist on calling them that.
Think about this: A family that doesn't use any synthetic toxins on their fields must pay thousands of dollars a year to label their food as being "organic."
A business that pours drums of toxins into their crops every season pays only for the toxins.
Something is amiss.
Think about this: A family that doesn't use any synthetic toxins on their fields must pay thousands of dollars a year to label their food as being "organic."
A business that pours drums of toxins into their crops every season pays only for the toxins.
Something is amiss.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,997
Likes: 422
From: u-rah-rah Wisconsin
Political commentary aside, there isn't a performance or equipment issue that would justify searching out non-ethanol gas. This assumes that the soft lines and fuel pump have been updated for the current gas formulations.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
I don't know any company offering carb or fuel pump parts with gasahol resistant rubber. Most fuel line hose sold in aftermarket is not resistant. Even the auto manufacturers are having problems with gasahol. Chrysler and I believe Ford won't warantee engines running 15% gasahol (mandated in certain high pollution areas like northern NJ)
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
whoa !
...so the answer is since can not buy/find " resistant" fuel lines,
etc............and since premium does not contain ethanol, I should use premium............?
...so the answer is since can not buy/find " resistant" fuel lines,
etc............and since premium does not contain ethanol, I should use premium............?
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 311
Likes: 13
fuel
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,837
Likes: 468
From: Mason City, Iowa
I agree with trying to stay away from ethonol. 3 reasons. The corn alcohol in the gas tends to lower its boiling point making it more prone to percolation and vapor lock. Ethanol acts like a cleaning solvent. So if you have any rust or debris in your tank you're going to need a good fuel filter to keep it from attacking your carburetor needle and seat. And the final reason is phase seperation. I really dont understand it, but i think it has to do with when the moisture in the fuel rises to the top which makes a corrosive type of fluid that attacks metal such as your gas tank and carburetor bowls. (if thats not right I hope someone would correct me).Not to scare you away from ethanol. Every now and then when your out crusin it might be the only thing available. With ethanol just use a good quality fuel stabilizer such as Stabil. Stabil I hear even has one specifically for ethanol. With that you should not have any worries.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Gasahol as hooler1 said is subject to phase separation. What this means is gasoline and "dry" ethanol will mix , but they aren't really happy about it. (like many dates) But ethanol really LOVES to mix with water (ask your bartender!) and will readily pick up any moisture it can find, typically from humid air. When the ethanol picks up enough moisture to increase it's density sufficiently it will no longer mix with the gasoline but will separate out. Here's what website says about the dangers of gasahol phase separation:
And about the effects of ethanol on the vehicle parts:
"When this Phase Separation occurs you will have an upper layer of gasoline with a milky layer of Ethanol and Water below it, and then in many cases a third layer of just water at the bottom.
If this happens and you try to start the engine you can have one or more of the following problems. If your fuel tank pick-up tube is in the water layer, most likely the engine will fail to start. If the engine is running and suddenly draws water you can have damage from thermal shock or hydro-lock. If the pick-up tube draws the Ethanol-Water mixture or just Ethanol you can have problems where the engine will operate in an extreme lean condition, which can cause significant damage or even catastrophic failure. If the pick-up tube draws the gasoline, it will operate very poorly due to lower octane that is the result of no longer having the Ethanol in the fuel."
If this happens and you try to start the engine you can have one or more of the following problems. If your fuel tank pick-up tube is in the water layer, most likely the engine will fail to start. If the engine is running and suddenly draws water you can have damage from thermal shock or hydro-lock. If the pick-up tube draws the Ethanol-Water mixture or just Ethanol you can have problems where the engine will operate in an extreme lean condition, which can cause significant damage or even catastrophic failure. If the pick-up tube draws the gasoline, it will operate very poorly due to lower octane that is the result of no longer having the Ethanol in the fuel."
"Gasoline containing Ethanol provides further challenges and dangers for marine operators (Boaters) and other users of seasonal equipment such as motorcycles, personal water-craft, snowmobiles, ATV’s, RV’s, yard maintenance, generators, and other equipment.
Ethanol is a strong, aggressive solvent and will cause problems with rubber hoses, o-rings, seals, and gaskets. These problems are worse during extended storage when significant deterioration will take place. Hoses will delaminate, o-rings will soften and break down, and fuel system components made from certain types of plastics will either soften or become hard and brittle, eventually failing. Fuel system components made from brass, copper, and aluminum will oxidize to the point of failure."
Ethanol is a strong, aggressive solvent and will cause problems with rubber hoses, o-rings, seals, and gaskets. These problems are worse during extended storage when significant deterioration will take place. Hoses will delaminate, o-rings will soften and break down, and fuel system components made from certain types of plastics will either soften or become hard and brittle, eventually failing. Fuel system components made from brass, copper, and aluminum will oxidize to the point of failure."
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
A more practical way of dealing with the deterioration of rubber parts is to keep your tank full especially when storing, avoid gassing up in the rain or pick stations with pumps under cover, Replace rubber parts especially hoses (after storage especially) and plastic carb floats every year.
Welder User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 50
From: northwest MT
I run the regular corn gas in mine....not really any options as even most premium here has it. I do add Marvel mystery oil at every fill up. Seems to help..
Ethanol blends have been around here since the 70's, nothing really new. What makes todays fuel worse is the removal of OTHER additives like MTBE.
My flattie has the hard valve seats as well, I think having the fuel sitting in the system for long periods is what does the damage......
Drive the wheels off of it!
Ethanol blends have been around here since the 70's, nothing really new. What makes todays fuel worse is the removal of OTHER additives like MTBE.
My flattie has the hard valve seats as well, I think having the fuel sitting in the system for long periods is what does the damage......
Drive the wheels off of it!
