Ethanol percentage in gas

[Ex Bonanza Bucko]

Does anyone know if there are differences in the percentage of ethanol in premium (92 octane) gas than in lower octane gas in California.

I would really like to know if there is any premium gas from a "main line" fuel company like Chevron of Shell that has less ethanol in it than some other gas in Goofafornia.

I have looked long and far on the net and found pretty much a big pile of obfuscation and potential fibs by both gummint and oil companies.

EBB

[N690RV's Dad]

Here's a site that lists ethanol free station I found on one of my auto forums. I don't know if it will help or not.
http://pure-gas.org

[Catbird]

It's really very easy to test fuel for the presence and content of ethanol. If you're wondering whether California's 92 octane gasoline has more ethanol, then stop surfing and just test it for yourself.

[Sam Buchanan]

I use the EAA test kit:

http://www.shopeaa.com/alcoholtestki...ttlecombo.aspx



It will detect ethanol and show the percentage.

[curtis]

Here is a simple test using only water. I have a plastic sports drink bottle that I use for this test. At the station where I get my premium grade from I have to make sure I run some fuel in to the tank before testing, since the lower grades have alcohol in them and they may be what was is in the hose before starting.

My Corvette Service Manual has the same method in it for the same purpose.

http://www.fifthaveinternetgarage.com/tech_tips/tech_tip_imageing.s/Fuel_Test_Inst.pdf

[RFSchaller]

For what it's worth each station only carries two grades of fuel. The reason mid grade fuel is always halfway between premium and regular price is that it is a 50/50 blend. I assume that means everything is he same % ethanol as advertised on the pump.

[JBPILOT]

In Iowa, many stations offer 3 types. 87, 87 with Ethanol, and 91. Depends upon where you live.

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan

I use the EAA test kit:

http://www.shopeaa.com/alcoholtestki...ttlecombo.aspx



It will detect ethanol and show the percentage.

Originally Posted by curtis

Here is a simple test using only water. I have a plastic sports drink bottle that I use for this test. At the station where I get my premium grade from I have to make sure I run some fuel in to the tank before testing, since the lower grades have alcohol in them and they may be what was is in the hose before starting.

My Corvette Service Manual has the same method in it for the same purpose.

http://www.fifthaveinternetgarage.com/tech_tips/tech_tip_imageing.s/Fuel_Test_Inst.pdf

Just for clarification, the EAA kit has two methods for testing for ethanol. One is the water only method with a graduated sampler that not only indicates presence of ethanol but also percentage. The other is a dye that is added to gasoline to indicate whether or not ethanol is present.

I usually use the water method but the dye method would be very easy to use at the pump.

[roger lee]

I Tucson, AZ I have a friend that has tested every batch he ever got. In Tucson they claim up to 10 %. The tester he uses is from Spruce. He always sees 6%-7% and only once 8%. So many places that say up to 10% or 15% really aren't up at full strength. Personally the engine doesn't care and if you can run ethanol in your tanks then what ever percentage we have here in the US isn't a big deal and for me isn't worth testing. It is what it is. They have been running concentrations of 23% down in South America for 2 decades and they haven't had a single problem with a Rotax. Rotax tested 10% and said it was fine and found no issues. I have talked to two people that have pulled two Rotax engines down with those 20%+ fuels with over 1400+ hrs. and no issues. Ethanol evils are way over hyped. If your car can run on them then the Rotax can. Your fuel lines are usually from the auto industry so that usually isn't a big deal so if your fuel tanks are good with it your good to go.

[artrose]

Originally Posted by roger lee

I Tucson, AZ "Ethanol evils are way over hyped."

Don't want to get into a pissin match here, but there's a lot of information out there provided by experts that disputes the "over hyped" statement. There's a little more to be concerned about than just tanks and fuel lines.