E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

I doubt if there is 1% of the posters on these forums that even knows why his engine failed. If there is water in the fuel, they say it's ethanol's problem, but the facts are water got into the fuel long before ethanol was around, and it happened a lot. Lean fuel from dirty carbs melts down pistons, but ethanol is blamed. Or maybe the timing is so far off, or the engine is so over propped it's lugging the engine or ...............
So basically, all you would get is a bunch of "I think it was the ethanol" posts, and most of them wouldn't be. So in the end, few if any facts.

This is exactly correct.

You can't get any data on what ethanol does or does not do to engines when it comes to causing or contributing to mechanical problemse because none exists. Instead anything and everything gets blamed on "ethanol" and the urban legends build and build and build until the majority of people believe them.

As another poster has pointed out, here in Minnesota we're not newbies to having ethanol in our gas the way many states are. Even 25 years ago, much of the gasoline in this state was blended with ethanol. So if anybody should have noticed all these huge "ethanol problems" it would have been us.

I own 3 boats, one I/O and 3 outboards. I have a shop full of power equipment including multiple brush cutters, chainsaws, blowers, pressure washers, mowers, tractors, and snowblowers. If anyone would have been impacted by all these newfound "ethanol problems" it would have been me.

But I've noticed no more issues that can be traced to fuel contamination now than I ever have. Ethanol simply does not significantly increase the number of problems the average user will experience when it comes to gasoline engines.

If anything, I think the fear that ethanol might cause problems can actaully be a good thing because it encouraged many people to do what they should be doing anyway: Install a fuel filter and water seperator, use fresh fuel and don't store fuel long-term, treat fuel that's in storage, and keep up on engine maintainance.

Grouse

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

Here in PA, back when the switch was made from MTBE (MBTE?) to ethanol, I did experience some minor gel problems in my fuel filter and carb bowls. I did repair a Mercury that was gelled so badly thart the floats were held down and gas would just pour out of the carbs and into the water. However, since the other additive is no longer used, this is no longer germane.

As far as straight 10% ethanol gas, I have been trouble free. AND, that includes taking no precautions other than installing a fuel filter (which I normally do anyway) and leaving the tank with whatever level of fuel it has while the boat is stored for the winter. In fact, I never "winterize" or fog my outboards. I have stored four or so six gallon tanks over the winter and simply run them the next seasonwith no concern. Of course, my outboards are late 1970s through 1990s and tolerant. For me, ethanol in gasoline is a non-issue

 

[JimS123]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

To have 'discussion' as to whether something is "Fact or Fiction" then call for it not to be a debate is a paradox. OK, think what you want and do what you want. It's not my boat.

A "debate" implies that there are opposing views, each side has their mind made up and the objective is to convince or discredit the Opposition.

The "discussion" called for here was to collect data so that anyone could draw their own conclusion.

So far, there has not been one single fact (or even anecdote) that supports anything!

I'm happy the discussion was kept civil. Maybe because none of the naysayers responded. In any event, the whole direction the thread took made my point.

I'm glad the Govt. Conspiracy theory was brought up. For sure that is right on.

In keeping with my request to the Mods for one day - y'all can end the discussion now if you like.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

"So far, there has not been one single fact (or even anecdote) that supports anything!"

That's because it takes a series of facts, not a single fact, to support anything, and anecdotes seldom, if ever, support anything.

Maybe this is what you are looking for: "Ever since I started buying E10 on Sundays, I haven't had any fuel related problems." it's true, it's a single fact, and it's an anecdote. Hope that's helpful.



FTR I am opposed to E10, from the problems it causes in motors to the problems it causes with our economy and problems it causes to the environment.
But that's for another time and place.

 

[Philster]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

I just want to know if the OP is asking about good E10 or E10 that has phase separated.

I had a problem with the latter way back in the 90's, when I was more carefree with a six-gallon fuel tank on my old 18' Chapparal with a 115 'rude 2-stroke. One tank never got used. I swear, I think the fuel was two years old. I had two other newer tanks I ran off of.

The older fuel looked like some of the pictures you see about phase separation (well, I noticed this after problems). See, I wound up running it one hot day, and I noticed problems: engine was choking and hacking. Well, it wasn't running rich; that's for sure. Can always tell if an engine is drowning and blowing carbon (rich) or something isn't quite fuel or it's not getting fuel (lean, or water present). The marina owner came by and poured fuel in a cup and started spitting in it. I have no idea why, but I think he knew alot more about E10 that had separated than I know today.

The problem with the anecdote above is that anyone who hates E10 will have confirmation bias and use it as evidence to support their cause. Why controlled studies are needed: Because old fuel can just flat out suck, be it E10 or not. Old gas is risky. It can get varnishy/gummy.

E10 is a joke for other reasons.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

The title of your thread is E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

From Merriam-Webster a myth is "an unfounded or false notion"

Therefore, sounds like a Myth is Fiction.