Florida on the Ethanol bandwagon

roadrunner20 · #1 05-07-2008, 09:53 PM

I went to my local Sunoco station today for my 3xweekly supply of 93UL only to see a new sticker declaring the 10% ethanol blend. I've been using this station for my UL refills for the last 2 years.

I had a discussion with the station manager on this new declaration. She told me they ran the existing tank dry so they could fill it with the new blend. She also stated the entire state will be jumping on the 10% ethanol bandwagon.

I did a quick check of the other locals options.
I knew Hess had used ethanol. To my surprise, Shell too.

I'll be checking BP and Chevron tomorrow.

Is there any non-ethanol distributors out there?

N941WR · #2 05-07-2008, 10:05 PM

Just when I thought I would start using MoGas I noticed those stickers showing.

It upsets me to no end that they keep increasing the price of gas but when they add ethanol AND rise the price it really gets me. More so since that stuff lowers the MPG and causes your fuel tank to rust, if you have a metal tank.

rzbill · #3 05-08-2008, 04:12 AM

I am concerned about the ethanol too, but not for aero engines. I have a classic 2-stroke motorcycle (RZ500) that does not like variations in fuel. I have a close relationship with many GP replica 2-stroke owners and I know of 4 engines meltdowns over the last few years that have been attributed to fuel content. The first indications were fuels heavily laden with MTBE, which again will lean the mixture on a plain carb. We would get the bikes running "spot-on" at our shop (out in the "wilderness" of western NC where gas is gas and the sheep are scared

) and then ship the bikes to a big metro area that mandates a special petrol coctail and BOOM... Melted piston crowns, scored pistons and bores.

I imagine we will be able to compensate for the ethanol, but these bikes are finicky and becoming expensive to break. The Non-RV 2-stroke powered aviators will need to pay attention too.

664781 · #4 05-08-2008, 10:25 AM

Sorry to say but I saw the same sticker in Georgia too. Be careful out there!

allbee · #5 05-08-2008, 11:03 AM

sorry to say, but all gas has the alky in it, doesn't need to have a sticker. I found out by testing my gas here, yup, all stations with alky in the fuel. Oh and get this, the gas companies get a tax break for putting in the alky, that's why it's there. A little force feeding without us knowing it.

wingtime · #6 05-08-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N941WR

It upsets me to no end that they keep increasing the price of gas but when they add ethanol AND rise the price it really gets me. More so since that stuff lowers the MPG.

I have a diesel truck so I don't pay much attention to the gasoline pumps. I did notice a while back that Hess and Sam's fuel pumps said MAY contain up to 10% ethanol. What the heck does that mean? Either it has ethanol or it doesn't. the MAY is just another marketing scam if you ask me. Something really has to be done about this stuff. I don't think we should be force fed a fuel we do not want. Ethanol is NOT a viable solution to the fuel situation.

rv8ch · #7 05-08-2008, 03:07 PM

Not to mention that we seem to be using food crops for fuel, driving up food prices all over the world.

http://www.popsci.com/scitech/articl...-food-shortage

roadrunner20 · #8 05-08-2008, 07:05 PM

I tested the Sunoco 93UL today.
The sticker said it may contain up to 10%.
It tested out to 5%.

The neighborhood Chevron station, said they hadn't moved to ethanol yet but will soon. They told me they would only offer up to 3%. According to them, this would satisfy the feds and qualify them for some sort of kickback/rebate...

Dennis Madden · #9 05-08-2008, 07:55 PM

Is there a way to get the ethanol back out of the fuel after we buy it? Any chemists out there? The diesel guys are brewing their own, we might have to as well.
Is it true that stuff is attracted to water?

STINGRAY · #10 05-09-2008, 07:24 PM

Dennis, ethonal and methonal are water compatable. Gasoline & water are not. The problem is that when alcohol is in gasoline it can and will absorb moisture leaving it suspended in the fuel. Over a period of time it can build up significantly - condensation from humidity etc. Whereas without the alcohol, water being heavier than gas, drops to the bottom of the tank and of course is detectable.

The longer the fuel (with 10% ethanol) sits in the tank the more moisture it absorbs. The point here is you cann't leave it sit without it going sour on you. If you have no choice go ahead and use it but then replace it ASAP. It can also leave a varnish build up over time, plugging things up a bit. We have a very difficult time with the oxygenated fuels in boats where water is always present.