any fuel experts here

[Texasmark]

Re: any fuel experts here

Oh, QC, excuse me. You are talking about almost 100% alkie and I thought you were talking the other way around.<br /><br />Now that you are talking BTU's we are on the same sheet. I'll read more and respond more....<br /><br />I guess I do confuse octane with heat content and agree it has nothing to do with it. Also makes since that the pumps will still dispense 87 octane regardless of the heat content of the fuel.<br /><br />Understanding that the heat content is the energy (fuel) that you are converting to work, via the engine's combustion chamber and drive train, and work is the consumption of energy (in this case gasoline measured in BTU's), so if alkie is low on BTU's then you will get less whoopie and have a reduction in mpg since to move a given mass a given distance in a given time requires x BTU's if you get less BTU's you will get less response. <br /><br />So to compensate, you step on the accelerator harder, putting more fuel into the engine which compensates for the lower BTU's with ethanol and you get back to the MPH you were running with your mass traveling the distance you were traveling, but it is taking more fuel to do it.<br /><br />Phew. I think I understand that. <br /><br />So, in the case of an OB, WOT is all you can get so if your BTU's are lower, your MPH will be lower. Can't deny that. Glad I saved my old lower pitch prop. I might need it with this new fuel.<br /><br />Sorry for my stupidity but this makes sense. <br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Mark

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: any fuel experts here

Since the introduction of ethanol into my town 5 years ago (10% eth/90%fossil), I have replaced more injectors/fuel rails/fuel lines from rust and sludge build up than in the past 20 years.

 

[swist]

Re: any fuel experts here

It has been a subtle marketing ploy for years that premium gas is somehow inherently higher performance (or in some sense "better") because it has higher octane. In fact the only difference is it it that it detonates at a higher temperature, hence won't knock in a high compression engine. If you don't have such an engine it is a 100% waste of money.<br /><br />And very few cars these days have high compression engines - even many so-called muscle cars have engines with compression ratios in the 8's.

 

[QC]

Re: any fuel experts here

After reading the other ethanol thread and some comments here, I want to clarify something. My suggestion that engine's will be OK with 10% ethanol are regarding combustion only. What happens to seals, gaskets, fuel lines etc. can only be determined by in-use experience . . .

 

[Silvertip]

Re: any fuel experts here

Texas Mark - Ethanol blend is not 105 octane. E-85 is and this the point I've been trying to get across but folks aren't listening (or reading). Ethanol Blended fuel is 10 to 15% ethanol and 85 to 90% regular gas. E-85 is just the opposite, its 85% ethanol and 15% regular gas. The two fuels are NOT the same. Ethanol is the issue. Ethanol blended fuel can be used in marine engines with the understanding it will clean up the fuel system and cause some related problems. E-85 should not be used in marine engines as they are not designed to run on the stuff. I don't know how I can make that any clearer.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: any fuel experts here

Just one additional note on this and that is some states are just getting on-line with blended fuel. They don't even know about E-85 yet. Right now E-85 is pretty much a midwest thing. I'm outa here.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: any fuel experts here

Swist -- better check the engine specs for a few family grocery getters as well as "muscle" cars. The only engines in cars today with compression ratios in the 8's are those with turbo chargers or superchargers. Just about every car on the road has an engine with compression well up in the 9's. 9.5 to 9.8 is the norm and a few run 10 - 10.2 or so.

 

[timmathis]

Re: any fuel experts here

Does it not say on a E-85 pomp DO NOT USE IN ANYTHING BUT A MOTOR THAT WAS MADE TO RUN E-85?<br />and do not use in outboards lawnmowers etc.???<br />It should...<br />Tim

 

[Silvertip]

Re: any fuel experts here

Tim -- Yes! E-85 pumps have the yellow plastic handles and they have ample warnings about using E-85. I'm just trying to make sure people understand that the term "ethanol blended" fuel is the regular grade gasoline consisting of 10% ethanol and 90% regular gas. One should definitely not use E-85 which is 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline in an outboard.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: any fuel experts here

Hey, Up, I had to read your reply 3 times before it dawned on me what you said about the octane level of E-85, vs 10% ethanol blended gas. <br /><br />Sometimes we are just dense I guess.<br /><br />Mark

 

[Silvertip]

Re: any fuel experts here

Hey Tex - Our eyes see lots of things our brains don't always sort out completely. Especially when you get to be a "duffer" like me. This is just another of those issues that will undoubtedly cause more confusion when E-85 becomes available in more states. I'll bet at least 70% of the people buying new Impalas with the 3.5L motor don't know they can run E-85 in it.

 

[Sea Schaul]

Re: any fuel experts here

Originally posted by Upinsmoke:<br /> Just one additional note on this and that is some states are just getting on-line with blended fuel. They don't even know about E-85 yet. Right now E-85 is pretty much a midwest thing. I'm outa here.

I know that NJ has used blended fuel for years, it's just that it was blended with MTBE instead. Very nasty stuff. When we first git it here, I used to get headaches whenever I filled up. <br /><br />I think the pointsthat some folks are trying to make which you just don't seem to want to empathize with are:<br /><br />1.E-10 will very likely cause issues in boats/boat motors where it hasn't been used in the past. You might think changing filters or cleaning tanks many times more than previously is trivial but for those especially who don't do their own maintenance, a carb rebuild is not a minor repair with a marine mechanic.<br /><br />2. If I am 30 miles offshore and the motor dies due to fuel related issues, then I have the right to be upset about the change in fuel specs.<br /><br />3. As explained earlier, the energy in E-10 (and E-85 for that matter)is lower than previously available oxygenated fuels that we are accustomed to. This means reduced range and, depending on how things price out, potentially higher operating costs.<br /><br />I honestly don't have an axe to grind but I do wish someone could have developed an additive better than ethanol to accomplish the same objective. If it was such a great solution, why wasn't it used in all states requiring oxy fuel instead of MTBE? In the farm states it's natural that ethanol would be used given it's just another way to prop up farmers. I won't get started on that because this isn't a political discussion.