Ethanol vs. Your Engine

[gossman_imp]

Let's not forget that E-10 gasoline has a maximum shelf life of 3 months. Then the dreaded phase separation starts to set in. So you guys who live up here in the northern climes and have to store your bikes for long stretches in the winter should avoid the stuff like the plague.

Myself, I could give a rat's tail if people think my opinion veers into the political when talking about this stuff. Ethanol mandates exist because of certain political ideologies -- but are we not allowed to analyze or criticize the political genesis of this boondoggle?

My favorite part about the whole thing is that this product, which is supposed to be 'good for the environment' has been proven by numerous studies to actually consume more energy and resources in it's production than conventional gasoline, and cause greater overall emissions to boot!

We must criticize things like this -- either that or continue to have more 'green' madness unquestioningly shoved down our throats regardless of merit or lack thereof...

Have you heard the latest from EPA? Where they are now considering regulating emissions from BBQs? And considering regulating how long you can take a shower in motels? Now there's a bureaucracy that has veered out of control.
Where will it end? Why not fine people for farting too much? It is a methane (greenhouse gas) emission after all. Maybe they will start attaching tail pipe sniffers to our personal tail pipes...

Okay, I'd better check out before this starts to sound like a rant!

Oh, and I should add that where I live we are fortunate in that we can get not only pure premium gas (91 octane) but also regular grade (87 octane) pure gas.

I run ethanol in everything I have, never a problem. As far as phase separation is concerned, fuel sits in my shed in the gas can for that long during the winter without any separation, and in my boat from November till April and no issues either. And this has been for close to 2 decades. The only thing that I have noticed is that it has less energy and things are a little herder to start. And I live in Oregon, a wet and damp climate.