Ethanol certainly has it's issues. It does attract water and for that reason requires special handling for shipping and storage. Currently it can't be pumped through existing pipelines that were designed for gasoline.

It's affect on the environment can certainly debated endlessly. It's affect on the economy can also be debated.

Two things that I believe have been proven beyond debate, and the things that will concern most of us here are octane rating and suitability in automotive engines.

Adding ethanol to gasoline in any amount can not, will not, does not lower the octane rating. It actually raises it. Every time, without exception. Sorry, that's just chemistry.

As to suitability for automotive use, it burns cooler and with less deposits than petroleum products (gasoline). Cars have been using E10 for years with no ill effects. The only things it is corrosive to in an auto are rubber and nylon, both of which haven't been used in automotive fuel systems since the early 80's.

Does mileage suffer? According to everything I read about 10 percent less on ethanol. As time goes on I have no doubt that figure will get better. It already has improved from a 20 percent loss since first introduced.

These things are all provable so I say if we're going to argue, at least admit the truth.

 

^^^ OK. I agree with this.

 

10% usually isn't a problem in an automobile......but I just paid over $700 in repairs in my 2006 26' cruiser from this stuff. Just 104 hours run time!

Had left the boat with almost full tank on my lift for 4 months and went to run it only to burn out 3 electric fuel pumps after stalling within minutes of starting the boat. After the third pump, my mechanic asked for a Pyrex measuring cup and filled it directly from the tank hose. We waited a couple of minutes and it separated into 1/2 water and 1/2 gas. Had to have a company come and clean out 45 gallons of fuel and 11 gallons of water. Guy doing the work stated that the industry feels the "magic" number is 3 months (90 days) when ethanol fuel starts to breaks down. A sludge of varnish's that had separated is what burned out the fuel pumps.

After having the tank pumped and scrubbed, rinsed clean, I got fresh marine 90 and a new pump, filters and haven't had a problem since.

Florida law states no more than 10% allowed, but some Hess stations have been reported with as much as 40% here in Florida. Our marinas have 0% 90 octane. Obama and the corn lobbyists are now PUSHING for 20%. This could kill the entire marine industry.

Since going through this ordeal and having talked with a few dealers, marina operators and mechanics, found out this is a MAJOR PROBLEM here as well as other parts of the country!!!!

Ethanol has a profound effect on rubber used in seals and gaskets as well!

I realize there are major differences between a boat and a Corvette....but there is 1 thing in common....both get laid up for extended periods of time! I personally will be more careful with both in the future. There are additive which are safe and prevent this from happening and I'm not talking about Sta-Bil.

 

I have heard reports from other boat owners regarding longterm storage (ie all winter) too. You can get stabalizer.

 

many boats have LS6s and LS7 motors in some times two

 

I'm glad you posted again. I owe you an apology. My posting the bs symbol in response to you was rude and I have no excuse. I'm sorry about that.

The problem with the marine application is the industry did not prepare for the switch to ethanol. It doesn't matter if the boat has LS series engines, they will operate fine on E10. The trouble is in the fuel system which is not the same as in a GM auto. Boats do not have non vented fuel tanks so fresh air is allowed in during storage. This is where the water comes from. Our cars, as well as all late model autos, have non-vented fuel systems. Air is allowed to enter the fuel tank only as fuel is used. It is fresh air that the water is drawn from by the ethanol. No fresh air and no water, or very little.

I also understand that some manufactures are still using both rubber and nylon in their systems. I'd say the blame for ethanol problems lies at the feet of those manufactures. Ethanol is here, they knew well in advance it was coming and they did nothing to prepare for it. Same goes for the lawn equipment manufactures.

 

This is the ONLY place I buy my gas:

 

What kind of station is that?
Looks like a 2nd grade fuel station?
There will be a time soon that the current admin will make all stations have the E fuel.

 

I don't get why so many on here are so against 10% or 15% ethanol.

The facts are quite simple.

• E10-E15 has a higher octane rating than "pure gasoline."
• Ethanol helps clean the fuel system
• It's slightly cheaper
• It burns cleaner and cooler
• It runs trouble free in 1981+ vehicles (with the exception of some Japanese cars)
• The MPG hit isn't NEARLY what a very small amount of people claim. It's about 2-4% overall.
• It takes a VERY HIGH concentration of Ethanol (above 60%) to retain enough water over many months of sitting to even be considered possibly harmful to your car.
• Our cars were TUNED for E15.

We can argue until we're blue in the face, but us Californians have been riding around with E15 in our tanks for over a decade without any issues. In addition, we have shops that tune for E85 here that get an extra 10-20RWHP out of N/A cars and more than 50RWHP out of F/I cars when running E85.

I throw the flag on the following comments:

"E10 and/or E15 is corrosive to my fuel system."
When you add fuel system cleaners, you're adding alcohol.

"E10 and/or E15 retains enough water to harm my engine."
E10 and E15 mixed do not retain water. BTW, Water Injection doesn't hurt your engine either.

"E10 and/or E15 made me lose X amount of MPG"
Your heavy-*** foot made you lose MPGs. Don't blame the gas because you're looking for a scapegoat. I get between 30-40MPG on the streets in 6th gear on E15. The actual amount of energy loss is not equal to 10 or 15% just because it's 10-15% of ethanol mix. 70% of your energy from pure gas is wasted in heat. Ethanol burns cooler and longer, therefore giving you far better energy displacement than gasoline. That being said, it's not possible to lose 10-15% of energy in the mix. On an inefficient motor, you may lose up to 15%, but computers self-tune and generally will recalibrate giving you about 5% loss in economy.



Sorry for the rant... Just tired of listening to these comment against ethanol that are totally unjustified. Science and years of trial say otherwise that E10 and E15 is just fine.

 

I won't get into it, I think my choice of fuels stands on its own, but I would encourage others to do some research before deciding that e10 is such a bad deal.