15% Ethanol - Is it safe?

[Guest]

Hi all,
I've been told that the federal government in Canada plans to raise the ethanol precentage from 10% to 15% on pump 87. I usually put regular gas in the GS, but would 15% be a bad idea? I know shell 91 has zero ethanol, and I would use that if I wasn't cheap. Any opinions on this?

[Cipher]

It depends if you drink it straight or mixed.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA OMG!

I thought all shell offerings were 0 ethanol?

[fastbysuzuki]

No it's not great ethanol is hygroscopic (it absorbs moisture from the air) i.e. Water can gather in your petrol tank plus I believe it is quite aggressive.
Here in the uk I think it's 10% however I have heard they are going to 15% if there was an option here to use non ethanol
fuel at the pumps I would use it.
i believe the petrol used in aircraft has no ethanol.

[chuck hahn]

If you are touring and / or burning the tank full in a week or two its fine. But say setting all winter or a few months I wouldn't leave it in the tank or the carbs. I would drain both before letting any ethanol content fuel set around for very long.

[wymple]

I've used ethanol forever in everything I have. I keep the tanks full or close when sitting. I don't leave them sit with ethanol over the winter, nor more than about 3-4 months othewise. I never have problems, that includes lawnmowers, weedeaters, chainsaws, and older vehicles dating as far back as 1959. I used it when I still had my 1950 construction air compressor with a Hercules 6.

[SailEXIT]

Non ethanol is the way to go, imo.

Use the old Sunoco Ultra 94.
You can still find it at some Petro Canada stations.

Shaun

[Mechanically Geeky]

Ok so the only real issue is letting it sit over a period of time? I've spoken to a few classic car guys that treat ethanol like cancer, saying it can damage an engine. They say E15 vs shell gass will basically change the tune, as ethanol will lean the engine out. Does anyone have any experience with this?

[chef1366]

If you are touring and / or burning the tank full in a week or two its fine. But say setting all winter or a few months I wouldn't leave it in the tank or the carbs. I would drain both before letting any ethanol content fuel set around for very long.

This^^^^^^^

[gsrick]

I've seen a lot of bikes come through the shop with water in the tank and carb bowls. I avoid it like the plague on carb bikes. I've also have to replace quite a few petcocks that should not be leaking being less than ten years old. Even fuel injected bikes after sitting for a few weeks can wind up with a puddle of water in the bottom of the tank at the pump. Mind you Florida has 100% humidity all the time. I've even had lawnmower shut off valves leak with in a year.

[GoldenBoi]

I would think the o-rings and such in your carbs wouldn't be compatible with too much of an alcohol content. I remember finding a supplier of motorcycle carb o-rings which were made with ethanol laced fuels in mind. I think it was a seller on eBay, but I can't be sure this early in the morning and still sober.

[eil]

We have E85 in some stations here although presently it has to be marked separately on the pump from regular unleaded.

If they ever go to 15% ethanol here in the US and make it the new "regular unleaded", a lot of people are going to have serious problems. I have one car and a weedwacker whose owners manuals forbid the use of more than 10% ethanol.

[Wingsconsin]

Phase separation process can occur with a very small of of water introduced to Ethanol Fuel (think humidity and temperature changes)

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[Gorminrider]

..... actually, you can get water in your tank with any gas. The moisture in the air of the tank's free space condenses on tank walls and settles to bottom. Gasoline and water do not mix....

So, as said above, keep your tank FULL when not in use unless you live in a desert. A bit of fuel stabiliser extends the lifetime of that tank of fuel.
Musing:
Alcohol is used in race cars . But Alcohol delivers less mileage per liter or gallon. a bit of water mixed with alcohol can "burn" but of course there's more H20 as vapour and I'd suppose the flame is not as hot.

[limeex2]

fning junk. The only people who like it make money on it

[sharpy]

and fuel lines. lots of issues with rubber over here in Oz Plus.... http://e360.yale.edu/features/the_ca...or_environment