Using additives for ethanol
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Morganton NC
Using additives for ethanol
Anyone had experience or thoughts about using additives to reduce problems with ethanol in gas? Example would be Bell Performance Ethanol Defense. What brands of gas have ethanol-free premium? They are hard to find in our area of western NC. Thanks! Mr. Ed
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 965
Likes: 13
From: turn 12 at Road America or TX
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,999
Likes: 242
From: Surprise, Az
I receive a monthly publication called Motorcycle Consumer News. They don't accept advertisements which helps cut down on bias in their reporting and evaluations. They are researching an article on ethanol additives which is a very sensitive issue with motorcyclists as many bike sit in garages all winter long, mine included.
That aside, nobody I know is aware of any additives that really help mitigate the issues with ethanol and extended downtime. About 2 months of downtime is about max with ethanol laced fuel unless you can find pure gasoline.
That aside, nobody I know is aware of any additives that really help mitigate the issues with ethanol and extended downtime. About 2 months of downtime is about max with ethanol laced fuel unless you can find pure gasoline.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,036
Likes: 9,798
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
NY State has had 10% Ethanol in all of its gasoline since 2005 when the MTBE additive was banned.
I see no issues with any GM engine using 10% ethanol sitting around for several months. My Z is driven on a somewhat reduced schedule during the winter and the last time I filled the tank was in early December. Engine still runs fine.
Most people in the north used to add dry gas to a tank of gas and running the engine to make sure it got throughout the fuel system before storing their cars for the winter. The dry gas absorbed any moisture and kept it in solution Vs letting it form water puddles in low spots in the fuel system. Don't need to do that anymore with Ethanol in the gas.
Bill
I see no issues with any GM engine using 10% ethanol sitting around for several months. My Z is driven on a somewhat reduced schedule during the winter and the last time I filled the tank was in early December. Engine still runs fine.
Most people in the north used to add dry gas to a tank of gas and running the engine to make sure it got throughout the fuel system before storing their cars for the winter. The dry gas absorbed any moisture and kept it in solution Vs letting it form water puddles in low spots in the fuel system. Don't need to do that anymore with Ethanol in the gas.
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 16
From: Sugarhill Ga
there are places in the midwest that are using e-15 possibly even e-20 and imports are having enough problems that warranties are being voided. Domestics do not have those issues. if you want to be safe use LUCAS ethanol fuel treatment. i use it on my small engines, mower, weed eater, boat, bikes and jet ski.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: South Central Kansas
NY State has had 10% Ethanol in all of its gasoline since 2005 when the MTBE additive was banned.
I see no issues with any GM engine using 10% ethanol sitting around for several months. My Z is driven on a somewhat reduced schedule during the winter and the last time I filled the tank was in early December. Engine still runs fine.
Most people in the north used to add dry gas to a tank of gas and running the engine to make sure it got throughout the fuel system before storing their cars for the winter. The dry gas absorbed any moisture and kept it in solution Vs letting it form water puddles in low spots in the fuel system. Don't need to do that anymore with Ethanol in the gas.
Bill
I see no issues with any GM engine using 10% ethanol sitting around for several months. My Z is driven on a somewhat reduced schedule during the winter and the last time I filled the tank was in early December. Engine still runs fine.
Most people in the north used to add dry gas to a tank of gas and running the engine to make sure it got throughout the fuel system before storing their cars for the winter. The dry gas absorbed any moisture and kept it in solution Vs letting it form water puddles in low spots in the fuel system. Don't need to do that anymore with Ethanol in the gas.
Bill
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 303
My car runs on E85, as well as many other older local cars. So far, I haven't seen any negative impact from the ethanol content.
It takes ~30% more e85 to equal the energy production of 91 octane though, so fuel economy is not good. On a gas blend that uses 10% ethanol, you may notice a small difference in fuel economy, but that would be it.
It takes ~30% more e85 to equal the energy production of 91 octane though, so fuel economy is not good. On a gas blend that uses 10% ethanol, you may notice a small difference in fuel economy, but that would be it.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 685
Likes: 1
My car runs on E85, as well as many other older local cars. So far, I haven't seen any negative impact from the ethanol content.
It takes ~30% more e85 to equal the energy production of 91 octane though, so fuel economy is not good. On a gas blend that uses 10% ethanol, you may notice a small difference in fuel economy, but that would be it.
It takes ~30% more e85 to equal the energy production of 91 octane though, so fuel economy is not good. On a gas blend that uses 10% ethanol, you may notice a small difference in fuel economy, but that would be it.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 66
From: San Luis Obispo, California
The ethanol in our California gas wreaks havoc on carburettors, & if left in a float bowl too long it forms gelatinous blobs & clogs jets, not to mention the o-ring degradation. All of my motorcycles get the carbs run dry before they're shut down. I'm told Stabil works well, however I keep the gasoline rotated out & haven't needed it yet.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 685
Likes: 1
Perhaps that information would help the OP. Not everyone is running a supercharged/turbo/insane NA build, tuned for E85. And some people may be dumb enough to read your post and think they can just pour e85 into their stock corvette.
The engine doesn't care if you're running E85, as long as you're tuned for it. But you do have to plan your fuel system around it
The engine doesn't care if you're running E85, as long as you're tuned for it. But you do have to plan your fuel system around it
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 303
Perhaps that information would help the OP. Not everyone is running a supercharged/turbo/insane NA build, tuned for E85. And some people may be dumb enough to read your post and think they can just pour e85 into their stock corvette.
The engine doesn't care if you're running E85, as long as you're tuned for it. But you do have to plan your fuel system around it
The engine doesn't care if you're running E85, as long as you're tuned for it. But you do have to plan your fuel system around it
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 685
Likes: 1
You say that, but someone asked about using nitrogen in their tires in this section. That in itself says something about the knowledge of these people.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 141
Likes: 1
From: Coral Gables. FLORIDA.
I use regular Sta-Bil the red stuff it helps with the condensation that ethanol leaves in the fuel tank.
There is another additive from Sta-Bil called Marine Engine treatment it has a darker color it works really well drying up the e-85 ethanol fuel, if you let your car sitting around far some period of time using e-85 it will start building "condensation/water" build up in your tank, SOME TIMES IT WILL START THEN HESITATES AND SHUT OFF...
There is another additive from Sta-Bil called Marine Engine treatment it has a darker color it works really well drying up the e-85 ethanol fuel, if you let your car sitting around far some period of time using e-85 it will start building "condensation/water" build up in your tank, SOME TIMES IT WILL START THEN HESITATES AND SHUT OFF...
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
I use regular Sta-Bil the red stuff it helps with the condensation that ethanol leaves in the fuel tank.
There is another additive from Sta-Bil called Marine Engine treatment it has a darker color it works really well drying up the e-85 ethanol fuel, if you let your car sitting around far some period of time using e-85 it will start building "condensation/water" build up in your tank, SOME TIMES IT WILL START THEN HESITATES AND SHUT OFF...
There is another additive from Sta-Bil called Marine Engine treatment it has a darker color it works really well drying up the e-85 ethanol fuel, if you let your car sitting around far some period of time using e-85 it will start building "condensation/water" build up in your tank, SOME TIMES IT WILL START THEN HESITATES AND SHUT OFF...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,036
Likes: 9,798
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The ethanol in our California gas wreaks havoc on carburettors, & if left in a float bowl too long it forms gelatinous blobs & clogs jets, not to mention the o-ring degradation. All of my motorcycles get the carbs run dry before they're shut down. I'm told Stabil works well, however I keep the gasoline rotated out & haven't needed it yet.
Bill