Ethanol and C3 Storage Issues

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Oct 11, 2009 | 09:37 AM

Bernie2001

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Heel & Toe

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Ethanol and C3 Storage Issues

In Maine we have begun to use ethanol 10% in all gas. There are horror stories about engine damage, rubber seal damage, etc coming from snowmobile/fisherman/other small engine communities.

I have always stored my C3 with a full gas tank, fresh oil, up on blocks for the winter (Dec - May). With hygroscopic ethanol in cars, now we use startron or stabil (ethanol) stabilizers, but I wonder if anyone has hard info on damage/storage issues

Bernie

Oct 11, 2009 | 09:43 AM

Mike Ward

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We've had 10% ethanol gas here for many many years. No problems in storage over the long Canadian winters. The sky is not falling.

Oct 11, 2009 | 02:53 PM

tnovot

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From: Streator Illinois

If you are not yet using the new Sta-bil formula which mitigates the effects of water absorption by the ethanol, you might want to think about adding some isopopyl (not methanol) gas dry. I think the Startron sold from marine catalogs such as West Marine and at some marinas also has the newer formula to prevent water problems.
Terry

Oct 11, 2009 | 02:57 PM

SanDiegoPaul

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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!

CA has had it for years. Makes no diff. I stored my Nova for a year and a half while I was in Germany. Came home and my engine ran just like I had never left.

BTW, why do you put the car up on blocks? Don't you have Radial Tires on it? That custom is from the days of bias ply tires, that would develop a flat spot on the bottom if the car wasn't driven. Radial tires don't do that.

Oct 12, 2009 | 02:27 PM

v2racing

Melting Slicks

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From: Spring Park MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by SanDiegoPaul

BTW, why do you put the car up on blocks? Don't you have Radial Tires on it? That custom is from the days of bias ply tires, that would develop a flat spot on the bottom if the car wasn't driven. Radial tires don't do that.

They will flat spot if they sit long enough. When I found my 80 it had been sitting for 11 years. It had new Radial TA tires put on before it went in storage. All 4 tires had flat spots when I got it out on the road. It thumped along down the road. A friend of mine bought a Porsche that was parked brand new for 4 years. He had to replace the tires because they had flat spots.

I have never had them flat spot over the winter though.