Ethanol

[ReelTimes]

Just wondering if anyone in the area has had issues with ethanol. I have been experiencing some issues with what I believe is condensation in my gas tank, particularly if it is not full. With almost $200 to fill the tank, there were times where we let it get down fairly low this summer. Usually when I fill the tank, the problem is 95% eliminated but still an occaisonal annoyance. I spoke to a mechanic yesterday about it who said he has seen this quite a bit this year. Anyone else experiencing this issue?

[Northlander]

I have been hearing the same thing from a few people. I have also heard that milage and power has gone down when using E85. Have you experienced any of these problems as well? Maybe its a simple cure like a bottle of isopropal?

I know I run a bottle of Iso in every tank in the winter.

On another note my truck 97 F-150 ( I run reg unleaded) was acting wierd when we got all this moist weather and then rains. I tossed in a bottle of seafoam and it seems to have cured it up after a few days.

[Surface Tension]

Steve, I believe Reeltimes is talking about reg unleaded(15 or 10% ethanol blend-oxygenated) not the e85.

Its a fact that the oxygenated gas has a lower shelf life before it breaks down and starts to varnish your carbs. For that reason I don't use it when I know I'll be storing the gas for a long period of time. Whether you use it or the non-oxy(premium) gas you should us a fuel stabilizer.

The oxy gas contains ethanole so there is no need to add isopropol to your gas as a drier.

What RR brings up is the water in his tank from condensation. That will happen when the tank is not full.

The oxy gas will absorb some of that moister being that is has ethanole. I think you start seeing a problem is when that gas gets old and it breaks down. Not only will it varnish but it separates the water.

[ReelTimes]

The way it was explained to me was that the current ethanol blend in our unleaded gas is quite hygroscopic and absorbs water, and with vented gas tanks in boats, it absorbs the water from the air through the vents. I have noted on particularly humid days or after rains, the problem was even worse. For me, I had a few days where my engine barely ran this summer becuase of this (runs like it is starving for fuel). Everytime I filled the tank or kept it close to full, the problem was fairly minimal. ST...are you saying the premium doesn't contain any ethanol? Thx

[Viking]

If you have a fuel water seperator, try changing the filter. Or remove it and see how much water is in it. If you don't have one try adding one. It seems like every tankfull of gas you get now a days is different. I really notice it from fill to fill on my truck.

[Surface Tension]

Reeltimes, next time your at the gas station look for a premium pump. Chances are it'll say non-oxygenated gas but not always. By law you can't use that gas(non-oxygenated) in a modern auto because it doesn't contain ethanol which is supposed to reduce emissions. Non-oxygenated gas still available for for small engines and antique engines where using oxygenated isn't recommended. In a lot of cases thats because the older fuel lines, gaskets and diaphrams will deteriorate from the ethanol. If you have an inboard or outboard look at the fuel requirements the manufacturer recommends. In my case all my outboards and my inboard recommends non-oxygenated gas.

Like Viking suggested adding a fuel/water separater is a good idea with any type gas your using.

[ReelTimes]

I do have a fuel/h20 separator and if you pour the residual gas into a container, you can see the separation. I will give the nonoxygenated a try next year. thx

[gunflint]

We run 11 outboards, 3 chainsaws, a polaris UTV, generators, snowblowers, snowmobile, and other assorted gas engines. We buy the 92 octane/ non-oxyginated in bulk. We have never had a fuel related problem.(not counting diesel) Some of our equipment sits for months.

[Surface Tension]

"On another note my truck 97 F-150 ( I run reg unleaded) was acting wierd when we got all this moist weather and then rains. I tossed in a bottle of seafoam and it seems to have cured it up after a few days."

Steve, If your truck is running rough on the wet days chances are your spark plug wires and or distributer cap needs replacing.

[Northlander]

Ya I thought the same Frank and took it in and had my guy check them out. Ripstick just had a problem with his. Mine looked fine he said. The seafoam he recomended and it seems to have done the trick. Knock on wood!

170,000 miles on it so after this winter I will be truck hunting I guess.

[gunflint]

Steve,

I've had several F150s and a few of them always ran "funny" in the rain. I never did figure out what it was.