What would you run?
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
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What would you run?
So where I live I have 91 octane with non ethanol or 93 with 10% ethanol to run in my stock 03 z. Which one would you run and why? I have been running only the non ethanol as it seems to burn cleaner.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2015
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If I could find anyplace here in Iowa that sold Non-ethanol, I'd be all over it. I don't like how harsh it is on fuel systems. Any rubber component over time deteriorates because of the alcohol content. I've had more pinging issues running ethanol (even 93 octane versions) that not. I purchased my car in South Dakota and the prev owner ran non-ethanol fuel and never had a hint of detonation. Once I introduced ethanol to it, detonation started occurring.
I run a mowing business on the side....It also wreaks havoc in all of those small engines unless I run a fuel stabilizer year round.
I run a mowing business on the side....It also wreaks havoc in all of those small engines unless I run a fuel stabilizer year round.
Last edited by Blownchevelle68; Apr 27, 2017 at 10:29 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,217
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From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
I did an experiment in my Ram 1500 Hemi a while back. I ran a full tank of 93 octane ethanol fuel, calculated the gas mileage and repeated that with a full tank of ethanol free marine fuel. No surprise, I got ten percent better gas mileage with the ethanol free fuel. So our government make them add ten percent ethanol, the farmers and politicians get rich and consumers get the shaft. We and our vehicles would be better off if they gave us ten percent less gas instead of ten percent ethanol.
So the answer is run non ethanol if you can. Here in SW Florida I can buy non ethanol at the pump in a few places but it costs 40-50 cents more a gallon. That's all I use in my boats and small engines.
So the answer is run non ethanol if you can. Here in SW Florida I can buy non ethanol at the pump in a few places but it costs 40-50 cents more a gallon. That's all I use in my boats and small engines.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
If I could find anyplace here in Iowa that sold Non-ethanol, I'd be all over it. I don't like how harsh it is on fuel systems. Any rubber component over time deteriorates because of the alcohol content. I've had more pinging issues running ethanol (even 93 octane versions) that not. I purchased my car in South Dakota and the prev owner ran non-ethanol fuel and never had a hint of detonation. Once I introduced ethanol to it, detonation started occurring.
I run a mowing business on the side....It also wreaks havoc in all of those small engines unless I run a fuel stabilizer year round.
I run a mowing business on the side....It also wreaks havoc in all of those small engines unless I run a fuel stabilizer year round.
OP; guessing the ethanol free may be best in your situation.
Last edited by grantv; Apr 27, 2017 at 11:34 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Leesburg Fl
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '14,'18
I used regular for a year before it started to ping. I use premium, mid grade and sometimes regular and the motor runs fine. I do stick to Shell only.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2015
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But I've had trouble leaving small engines with ethanol based fuel in the carb, without stabilizer, in as short of time as 1 month. And over time, even keeping fuel flowing through on a regular basis, ethanol will start to eat rubber componets (ie: fuel line, some gaskets etc) then deposit the trash inside the carb passages....Once that happens, off comes the carb for cleanout and gaskets....
Last edited by Blownchevelle68; Apr 27, 2017 at 11:51 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
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From: Kelowna BC
Just out of curiosity, when you store you lawn tractor, do you drain the fuel out? Run stabilizer? Reason I ask is I know when I was a kid, regular fuel could be left in a small engine or even a vehicle for a few months at a time before it messed up in the carb.
But I've had trouble leaving small engines with ethanol based fuel in the carb, without stabilizer, in as short of time as 1 month. And over time, even keeping fuel flowing through on a regular basis, ethanol will start to eat rubber componets (ie: fuel line, some gaskets etc) then deposit the trash inside the carb passages....Once that happens, off comes the carb for cleanout and gaskets....
But I've had trouble leaving small engines with ethanol based fuel in the carb, without stabilizer, in as short of time as 1 month. And over time, even keeping fuel flowing through on a regular basis, ethanol will start to eat rubber componets (ie: fuel line, some gaskets etc) then deposit the trash inside the carb passages....Once that happens, off comes the carb for cleanout and gaskets....
Bought my rider maybe 8-9 years ago, only maintenance so far is plugs (once, maybe twice), oil changes yearly, and blade sharpening. Never even replaced a belt yet (no carb work, gaskets, fuel lines, etc. ever). All year round I keep it covered by a high quality tarp.
I think the key is the high octane and no ethanol considering the issues you say you have.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,692
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From: Douglas County WI
Several years ago took our 99 Pontiac with 3.8L supercharged engine on a long trip. 33 mpg with non ethanol fuel, 27-28 with. Everything else, i.e. route, weather, load, etc, was equal. Therefore it would seem to me that what is made up in lower cost for ethanol mix gas is lost in reduced MPG. I thought I read somewhere that ethanol fuel has less BTUs, translating into less power, than straight gasoline. I haven't used ethanol mixed gas in my Vette, nor do intend to.
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Dublin, OH and Clyde, NC
I also have a stock 1930 Model A and I would love to be able to run non "crap gas" (that's how we refer to ethanol gas in the Model A forums) in my A. The "crap gas" with its high moisture content causes all kinds of problems in the Model A's steel gas tank, carb, etc. we always put 4 ozs of Marvel Mystery Oil per 10 gallons of gas to help counter act it....not sure on the technical reasons why it helps but it does.
Guys on the Model A Forum have actually put the "crap gas" in a glass bottle and over a couple days you will see all the water in the gas settle on the bottom of the bottle....pretty scary.
Guys on the Model A Forum have actually put the "crap gas" in a glass bottle and over a couple days you will see all the water in the gas settle on the bottom of the bottle....pretty scary.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 409
Likes: 7
From: Taunton MA
I did the same experiment in my Malibu. Once a year I drive from MA to FL and last year and one of the gas stations I stopped at sold non ethanol gas. I tried it and got better gas mileage. I posted this on the Malibu forum and was met with not only skepticism, but an overall snarky attitude. This forum is pretty awesome, great info and people!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2015
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From: Pennsylvania
The ethanol scare with fuel quality and fuel system damage is only about 10% true. Companies like Lucas have become filthy rich by selling you ethanol treatment products that do nothing but lighten your wallet. Yes ethanol fuel deteriorates faster gets less fuel mileage and makes farmers money but if your vehicles are regularly used there is no problem with it. Ethanol fuel burns cleaner makes more power and performs just fine when used properly. I know many people with vehicles that were made before ethanol was even considered a fuel and they exclusively run e85 and have no fuel system troubles. Ethanol gets the blame for failures that don't have anything to do with the fuel system because it is easy to point the finger at something that people have been taught to hate.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Wisconsin
I try to only use Shell V-Power premium 91 Octane with 10% ethanol. It cured my gas gauge issue and after doing some research I found it contains the most PEA and has a superior additive package.
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The ethanol scare with fuel quality and fuel system damage is only about 10% true. Companies like Lucas have become filthy rich by selling you ethanol treatment products that do nothing but lighten your wallet. Yes ethanol fuel deteriorates faster gets less fuel mileage and makes farmers money but if your vehicles are regularly used there is no problem with it. Ethanol fuel burns cleaner makes more power and performs just fine when used properly. I know many people with vehicles that were made before ethanol was even considered a fuel and they exclusively run e85 and have no fuel system troubles. Ethanol gets the blame for failures that don't have anything to do with the fuel system because it is easy to point the finger at something that people have been taught to hate.
I have used 91 octane/10% ethanol fuel in all three of the C5s I have owned, as well as a number of C4s in the past and have not had any problems with the cars. You may be able to get better gas mileage with the 91 octane/no ethanol gas, but you may want to check how the higher cost of non-ethanol gas compares to the lesser gas mileage of the ethanol blended fuel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
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From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
If I could find anyplace here in Iowa that sold Non-ethanol, I'd be all over it. I don't like how harsh it is on fuel systems. Any rubber component over time deteriorates because of the alcohol content. I've had more pinging issues running ethanol (even 93 octane versions) that not. I purchased my car in South Dakota and the prev owner ran non-ethanol fuel and never had a hint of detonation. Once I introduced ethanol to it, detonation started occurring.
I run a mowing business on the side....It also wreaks havoc in all of those small engines unless I run a fuel stabilizer year round.
I run a mowing business on the side....It also wreaks havoc in all of those small engines unless I run a fuel stabilizer year round.
Listen to this man...he knows his stuff!!! I believe in owners manual it states no ethanol!
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 217
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From: Dublin, OH and Clyde, NC
I don't like gasoline with ethanol, if I could get 100% gas I would use it even if more expensive but I believe the owners manual states that GM does not recommend using fuels with the additive MMT, I think ethanol replaced MMT as an additive and MMT is no longer used.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
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From: Kelowna BC
