Non-Ethanol Fuel

[Seadweller]

Curious how everyone is about fuel....

[tommy583]

I use it from time to time, but I always use it when I store the car for the winter.

[Brian in Tucson]

there's no "real gas" available locally, so I can't worry about it. When I lived in the Pac. NW, there were a couple of places in the small town that carried it. I tried it in my V8 pickup, it didn't make it run any better and I couldn't see any better gas mileage.

Our gas in Tucson all comes from the same terminal. Only difference is the additive package. So I use one of the more budget gases, Fry's/Kroger, and I buy Techron by the quart or half gallon when I can find it.

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by Brian in Tucson

. . .Our gas in Tucson all comes from the same terminal. Only difference is the additive package. . .

After 30+ years in O&G exploration and production I can assure you that this is the case more often than not.

[mikeinmass]

Some very small airports and of course marinas have the gas you're looking for.. will they sell you some is the question.

[SC-986]

Plenty of "Pure" gas stations here in the southeast. It is the only thing I will put in our vehicles unless there are no other options. We have a '95 Jeep Wrangler that recently had to have all the rubber fuel lines replaced because the 10% ethanol fuel destroyed them. I use the "Pure Gas" app when traveling outside our local area to identify stations that offer 100% gas.

[Deserion]

Locally I can only get ethanol-free in 89. So regular E10 in 93 it has been.

[Seadweller]

Wawa and a couple of other stations in my area have non-ethanol, though I'm not sure of the octane. I'm pretty sure however it's 89. I am definitely concerned with the effect of ethanol fuel on the rubber lines.

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by Seadweller

Wawa and a couple of other stations in my area have non-ethanol, though I'm not sure of the octane. I'm pretty sure however it's 89. I am definitely concerned with the effect of ethanol fuel on the rubber lines.

I believe that the Ethanol (and Methanol) affects the metal fuel lines as it promotes rust, but may be wrong..

[JFP in PA]

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[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Gilles

I believe that the Ethanol (and Methanol) affects the metal fuel lines as it promotes rust, but may be wrong..

Gas containing ethanol has multiple downsides:

1. A given volume of ethanol is approximately one third lower in BTU output than the same volume of pure gas, so any level of ethanol is going to have lower power potential.

2. Ethanol picks up water and carries it in gas. As the direct result, any gas containing ethanol will cause mild steel fuel system components, lines, or tanks to rust.

3. Vehicles converted to E85 use have all stainless fuel components and special injectors to deal with the corrosive nature of higher alcohol level's water content.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Gas containing ethanol has multiple downsides:

1. A given volume of ethanol is approximately one third lower in BTU output than the same volume of pure gas, so any level of ethanol is going to have lower power potential.

2. Ethanol picks up water and carries it in gas. As the direct result, any gas containing ethanol will cause mild steel fuel system components, lines, or tanks to rust.

3. Vehicles converted to E85 use have all stainless fuel components and special injectors to deal with the corrosive nature of higher alcohol level's water content.

Curious on your thoughts of running non-ethanol 89 octane vs. E10 93 octane ? As you stated any % of ethanol will have less BTU's then " straight " gas . So is non 89 close to E10 93 octane ? Will there be a noticeable difference in performance ? I know the knock sensors will kick in if needed but just curious on your thoughts . My gut tells me 89 octane non-ethanol may be the better choice .

[MWS]

It's too darn bad we can't just stop subsidizing ethanol...if we did, the price would be prohibitive and demand would drive the reversion to "regular" gasoline. I understand this is a complex issue with multiple parties involved, but if there are tax dollars used to artificially hold down the cost of the fuel, I'd greatly prefer the same dollars just be given to the growers and producers directly...perhaps as an incentive NOT to produce.

I guess I look at it this way...if ethanol was such a great fuel, by demand there would be far more vehicles that use pure ethanol than there are now. In a free market, consumers (by the wisdom of the masses) choose the best product. In a subsidized market, those forces are stunted and the natural evolution and progression of products are forcefully directed, quite usually toward a less favorable outcome.

Cork in mouth...rant over. Sry.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Curious on your thoughts of running non-ethanol 89 octane vs. E10 93 octane ? As you stated any % of ethanol will have less BTU's then " straight " gas . So is non 89 close to E10 93 octane ? Will there be a noticeable difference in performance ? I know the knock sensors will kick in if needed but just curious on your thoughts . My gut tells me 89 octane non-ethanol may be the better choice .

A best, the performance differences for four octane rating numbers is small, but still in the favor of the 93. If you are concerned about the corrosion potential from the ethanol, simply add something like StaBil when filling up, which will prevent the problem while stabilizing the fuel.

[Flavor 987S]

Buy the highest octane, either 91 or 93, that you can find from the busiest, nation brand gas station. Don't fret about 10% ethanol. Octane trumps ethanol.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

A best, the performance differences for four octane rating numbers is small, but still in the favor of the 93. If you are concerned about the corrosion potential from the ethanol, simply add something like StaBil when filling up, which will prevent the problem while stabilizing the fuel.

Thank you for the reply .

[JohnRedS]

This is a great forum. I have been in the gas business for many years and this is the first thread regarding ethanol blended fuels that did not include combat between posters. It is also very refreshing to see accurate and factual responses regarding this highly charged and often political issue.

[Flavor 987S]

Originally Posted by JohnRedS

This is a great forum. I have been in the gas business for many years and this is the first thread regarding ethanol blended fuels that did not include combat between posters. It is also very refreshing to see accurate and factual responses regarding this highly charged and often political issue.

Hahah. Just don't ask "what oil should I use?".

[Jim Rockford]

Unsure what the cocktail is in the US but in Canada Shell v-power has 0% ethanol. That’s all I used in my 986 and now my 987. I have no scientific reasoning, but anecdotally, I used to have an RX-7 and it seemed to have some issues running on ethanol content, I switched over and everything smoothed out.