It has its place, it's in performance cars that no one wants to pay the price for race gas lol.Or if your "green" and need to feel good that you are saving the environment.

Average joe will not be happy with the drop in mpg so it's never caught on. It would be interesting if the Ecoboost engines were flexfuel. With some properly sized injectors there would be more power to be had, but it would be at the cost of mileage and EPA won't have that.

 

Ethanol and MTBE are two of several different "oxygenates" that are used to enhance complete burning of the fuel. MTBE has other undesirable side effects, and ethanol has its own issues. The original problem was that some entities decided that MTBE was the "only" way to achieve the desired effect. Many entities (like California) have mandated that the fuel be oxygenated, but not specified "how".

 

MTBE has been gone for quite some time now. It was good at what it did and did not destabilize fuel like ethanal. It did however, seep though underground storage tank walls and into surrounding soils, eventually contaminating ground water. That is what the reasoning was for banning it anway.

 

There were a couple of big issues with MTBE. Known serious carcinogen, and a half life measured in decades.

 

I just drove through Bismarck ND. The headline on the paper was that local politicians were pushing for the government to increase gasoline ethanol levels to E30. Greed is a terrible thing. 😔 Jag

 

Are they also going to propose legislation that prohibits the millions of people who's engines are destroyed by it from suing the government? Virtually all non-flex fuel vehicles warn that more than 15% ethanol in the fuel will void the warranty and cause damage.

 

Good point. Assuming that rational people would make rational laws, that would be what you might expect. However, current law makers (on many levels) are what seem the antithesis of rational.

 

As far as using Ethanol in my F-150, I will not use it. I use 100 percent gas and feel that my 2.7 ecoboost responds better to it. I get better gas mileage as well. I don't claim to be an expert, but after researching it a bit, I think 100 percent gas is better for my engine in the long run. Ethanol has about 1/3 less energy than gas, which equals worse fuel economy. Ethanol does burn cleaner than pure gas and is better for the environment, but I care more about my truck engine. The government really doesn't care about the life of our engine being reduced by using this stuff. Ethanol is basically ethyl alcohol which is in every alcoholic drink. Ethanol is made from corn mostly, but is also made from sugar cane, grasses and agricultural residues like wheat straw. Long term, this isn't good for our truck engines. Folks with older cars state that the ethanol will cause the seals and rubber to break down much faster. Of course, ethanol attracts water and breaks down faster than gasoline. There are many facts about it all over the internet, and after reading much of it, I decided there is no way I am using it in my engine. I realize the engines are set up for it, but long term it isn't good in my opinion. I don't care about paying a few cents more a gallon for gas when it will probably prolong the life of my engine. To me you can pay now with a higher budget for 100 percent gas or pay later when you are repairing/replacing your engine. Ethanol exists primarily for political reasons and if I have an option not to use it, I won't.

 

I hadn't seen anything that says E10 will reduce engine life. I think you'll see a greater contrast in results by comparing two different gas stations. (not brands but by how well they monitor and take care of equipment). We don't get the option for 100% gas in Texas but I've seen the 20-40cent per gallon difference in price up in Oklahoma. At any rate, my wife has decided to go almost exclusively E85 with her 2017 5.0. I guess we will find out first hand.

 

[QUOTE=DevilDog556;17448122].....We don't get the option for 100% gas in Texas ......

If you venture far enough away from a major population area, one can get ethanol free gas. We do it all the time on the Harley's. The bikes run 100% better without the corn syrup....

 

In Missouri ethanol-free is easy to find, I run e-free 94 octane Sinclair in my truck, boat, Harley & anything that needs gas.

 

[QUOTE=CR172;17448213]
Not disputing your claim but I've been all over Texas between the oilfield, fuel hauling and personal travel. Never seen 100% gas anywhere. Where are you finding it?

 

http://www.pure-gas.org

Lists stations that offer ethanol-free gasoline in every state.

E10 doesn't store as well, I'll burn it on a road trip but keep it topped off with pure gas. 5 gallon jug for lawn equipment, sno-blower etc.

 

[QUOTE=DevilDog556;17448487]Well, I can't say exactly as we are a bit of everywhere when we venture out for a ride. But not on any freeways I can tell you that. We ride the 2 lanes for the most part.

 

As far as damaging engines goes, modern engines are designed to run on up to 15% ethanol. Just like E85 vehicles are designed to run on E85 - although not exclusively. You wouldn't put diesel in a gas engine or gasoline in a diesel engine. They're not designed for it. If damage was inevitable, they wouldn't offer extended warranties out to 100,000+ miles.


Now as far as running smoothly or getting great mileage goes, that's another story. But remember, the manufacturers are trying to meet fuel mileage and emissions requirements on the stuff we all pump into our vehicles.


Things could be a lot worse. Just wait until the government starts mandating that ALL vehicles be some type of hybrid or be taxed out of existence. Then we can all whine and cry about our batteries.