Ethanol

[GregF]

I was in the Dakotas a few years ago in a rented flex fuel vehicle (suburban) with the high end computer package.
I tried a tank of E-85 and the already dismal 16-17 E-10 MPG dropped to about 13-14.

[GregF]

The corn trick. Put the whole ear, husk on, in the microwave for about 3.5 minutes per ear.
Then take a knife and cut off the stalk end right at the wide part of the shoulder. Holding it with a towel, start squeezing from the tassel end and the ear will pop out perfectly clean, no silk.

There is a you tube showing this.

[bassn386]

There are lots of gas stations in Missouri and especially around LOTO that advertise ethanol-free 91 Octane. But I buy the 87 octane with 10% ethanol and treat it with a Mercury Product called Kwick-Care that's supposed to neutralize the ethanol. I add one ounce per 10 gallons of fuel. So far, no problems.
Then when winterizing, I add SeaFoam at one ounce per gallon. Like I said, no issues whatsoever.

[cvslawrence]

OK, so the US Auto industry has solved their ethanol problems...why can't the US Marine Industry do the same?

That's just stupid!

They really havn't solved it, they have however, made the cost of the vehicle higher, added more computer controlled devices to the fuel system [higher repair costs], reduced the mpg's, and made the fuel system less reliable.

I don't want any of that for my boat

[ROLAND]

Last year there were at least 3 gas stations in our town that sold ethanol free gas. Yes I would drive out of the way to fill up the boat at one of those stations... unfortunately now nobody up here sells ehtanol free fuel, so we are forced to use E10 ( and I use Sta-bil marine in the fuel ). Btw, for any of you not familiar with it, there is a web site that will list by state and city each gas station selling ethanol free fuel. it's at http://www.pure-gas.org

[ROLAND]

I stand corrected....after I posted the pure gas web site I went back and looked at the shreveport / bossier area... there are 2 stations now listed as selling ethanol free fuel, HOWEVER, they both sell ethanol free in thier 93 Octane fuel..... I know it's better to use ethanol free fuel, but is it ok on todays 4 stroke motors to run 93 octane... I read somewhere it may be harmful to run 93 on todays outboards...

[rancherlee]

Minnesota has had E10 for 20+ years and I've never, NEVER had and issue with water in the fuel or it separating (even sitting in gas cans for 2+ years for the generator) I have had to change carb kits and fuel lines on older engines as a precaution though. On high performance 2 strokes its usually recommended to go up 1 jet richer also, like snowmobiles and dirt bikes, old outboards are plenty rich to begin with and don't rev nearly as high. I DO think E10+ is a BAD idea though, economy wise.......

[rancherlee]

I stand corrected....after I posted the pure gas web site I went back and looked at the shreveport / bossier area... there are 2 stations now listed as selling ethanol free fuel, HOWEVER, they both sell ethanol free in thier 93 Octane fuel..... I know it's better to use ethanol free fuel, but is it ok on todays 4 stroke motors to run 93 octane... I read somewhere it may be harmful to run 93 on todays outboards...

Nope, just won't perform as well. Only the newest 4 strokes are starting to come with knock sensors which allow the computer to advance timing to take advantage of higher octane gas, OR retard it if you get nasty gas. 93 octane in an open loop EFI (no oxygen senesor) engine is just fine, you will loose about 3-5% of your HP though over running the cheap 87 stuff.

[ronb]

you will loose about 3-5% of your HP though over running the cheap 87 stuff.

Have you ever had to explain octane ratings to a non-technical person? Higher is always better, right?

it has hurt my head a few times,
-ron

[rancherlee]

I'd say 90% of people think the higher the number the better, or it's cleaner for the engine. If an engine is designed for 87, run 87..... Nothing to gain with 91, unless your after 100% Dino gas as 87octane Ezero is dang hard to find.

[Rhinohio]

E85 would need to be ~85 cents per gallon less than conventional gasoline before it becomes economical due to the loss in MPG as GregF noted. The environmental impact is a disaster in which no one onboard with this fantasy is willing to admit. As usual, they really didn't think this on thru.

Mike

[GregF]

The real problem with ethanol is the water. We are going to run out of water long before we run out of oil. The Ogallala aquifer under the grain belt is going dry. They are sucking out this water far faster than it gets replenished.