Ethanol in Gas

[Richwon4]

So how many here run gas with ethanol. Did you know you get less performance and less MPG? I just learned this and I drive an Excursion. Of course I will do whatever I can to improve the lush which I must have in order to pull my camper and haul my family.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

So how many here run gas with ethanol. Did you know you get less performance and less MPG? I just learned this and I drive an Excursion. Of course I will do whatever I can to improve the lush which I must have in order to pull my camper and haul my family.

Unless you're going out of your way to find gas without ethanol (very limited number of gas stations carry it), then everyone is using gas with ethanol in it.

Being discussed here: https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...thanol-free-gasoline.html?455356=#post7560911

 

[KLB]

It would be nice if they would remove the requirement to add it to our gas. Probably never going to happen though. Can't take away those handouts once they are given.

 

[jkaetz]

Less mpg yes, if tuned properly, performance should be close enough that you'd need to use a Dyno to see the difference. And yes, practically all stations use ethanol.

 

[eldirector]

E10 is pretty much everywhere. E15 is not uncommon.

Ethanol has something like 70% the energy content of gasoline. So, performance and/or mileage will go down. Engines can be tuned to make up the performance, but at the cost of economy.

 

[K_W]

E10 is pretty much everywhere. E15 is not uncommon.

Ethanol has something like 70% the energy content of gasoline. So, performance and/or mileage will go down. Engines can be tuned to make up the performance, but at the cost of economy.

I see E10 signs all the time, but I never see E15 signs. My car can't handle anything higher than E10 and this push for E15 has me concerned I will have no choice but to damage my car.

 

[HoughMade]

So how many here run gas with ethanol.

I would imagine almost all of us...since they called it "Gasohol" in the '80s.

Did you know you get less performance and less MPG?

Less MPG, certainly. Ethanol actually has some performance "advantages" in an engine specifically designed for it, but those are generally race-type engines with sky-high compression or boosted to the high heavens. But, sure, for the normal car running around, less performance.

I just learned this and I drive an Excursion. Of course I will do whatever I can to improve the lush which I must have in order to pull my camper and haul my family.

I can't believe that you were that​ interested in fuel economy driving something like that....or else you'd go diesel.

BTW, I just saw E-15 at the pump for the first time at a local Casey's in Valpo (brand new station). It has a sticker warning not to use on vehicles older than 2001 unless specifically designed for use with ethanol.

 

[bwframe]

Turning our food into fuel, hmm. Would this have ever happened without politics involved?

 

[HoughMade]

Turning our food into fuel, hmm. Would this have ever happened without politics involved?

While I try to avoid Walmart, every time I go there, I am reminded that we have more than enough corn in this country.

But, no, probably not.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Less MPG, certainly. Ethanol actually has some performance "advantages" in an engine specifically designed for it, but those are generally race-type engines with sky-high compression or boosted to the high heavens. But, sure, for the normal car running around, less performance.

What You Need to Know About E85 Ethanol Alternative Fuel - Hot Rod Network

Yup. Basically, less energy per volume but you can push in more fuel because it doesn't need as much air in the mixture and some other properties. Works well with super charged applications, and cheaper (by a lot) than race fuel.

 

[eldirector]

Some info on E15
https://growthenergy.org/2018/02/28/availability-e15-keeps-growing/

 

[Ski]

I see E10 signs all the time, but I never see E15 signs. My car can't handle anything higher than E10 and this push for E15 has me concerned I will have no choice but to damage my car.

Just add some Ethanol Defense. I've been using it in my small engines for around 10 years and have had no problems.

https://shop.bellperformance.com/collections

 

[thunderchicken]

Ethanol like any other fuel source has its benefits and drawbacks. From my experience one of the biggeat drawbacks is Ethanol attracts and absorbs moisture. That moisture can cause serious issue with corrosion. That's one reason why it shouldn't be used in older cars. It can be especially bad for small engines on generators, chainsaws, weed trimmers, mowers etc.

 

[WebSnyper]

So stupid question, I assume running no ethanol gas isn't an issue in a modern vehicle either assuming one can find it. Is it at all worth the price difference and seeking it out, if one is not going to run it all the time?

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Turning our food into fuel, hmm. Would this have ever happened without politics involved?

Rudolf Diesel thought it was a good idea.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

So stupid question, I assume running no ethanol gas isn't an issue in a modern vehicle either assuming one can find it. Is it at all worth the price difference and seeking it out, if one is not going to run it all the time?

The mpg difference is normally around 3-5%. The performance difference varies based on how the car is tuned, but is generally only at wide open throttle and if the injectors can't handle more fuel flow and if you aren't on a dyno you're almost certain to not see the difference. So, probably not.

 

[WebSnyper]

The mpg difference is normally around 3-5%. The performance difference varies based on how the car is tuned, but is generally only at wide open throttle and if the injectors can't handle more fuel flow and if you aren't on a dyno you're almost certain to not see the difference. So, probably not.

That's what I kind of assumed, but figured I'd ask. Thanks for the info.

 

[thunderchicken]

So stupid question, I assume running no ethanol gas isn't an issue in a modern vehicle either assuming one can find it. Is it at all worth the price difference and seeking it out, if one is not going to run it all the time?

Depends on what it is. On say an old muscle car yes it is worth it. Because they weren't built with materials that meet the anti corrosion properties needed for fuel with Ethanol. Also as I understand it E10 and ethanol free fuel have different boiling points and that can cause some issues on older cars with a carburetor.
Also, fuel with Ethanol doesn't have the same shelf life. Pure gas will stay fresh longer and will not absorb the moisture from ambient air.
Small engines are particularly finicky as the orifice sizes in the carb gum up much easier. On small engines you should dump the fuel and run some ethanol free fuel through it before storage.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

That's what I kind of assumed, but figured I'd ask. Thanks for the info.

I looked into it for my Camaro SS. There are guys tuning the cars to run on E85 and getting 5-8% increases in power with stock injectors. A bigger fuel system and they can get big bumps, especially in a supercharged motor.

 

[Tactically Fat]

The mpg difference is normally around 3-5%. The performance difference varies based on how the car is tuned, but is generally only at wide open throttle and if the injectors can't handle more fuel flow and if you aren't on a dyno you're almost certain to not see the difference. So, probably not.

...for E-10 and E-15...