03-30-2015, 01:27 PM
We haven't been using it since 1990. Only a few rotgut cut-rate gas vendors would cut their gasoline with five-percent methanol and five percent cosolvents. The major brands avoided ethanol in gas; and Shell made it a prominent part of their advertising.
It was 2007 when it was mandated and it was about mid-2008 when it started appearing everywhere. And while some users in some climates, especially dry climates, have avoided problems...recreational boaters; snowmobile users (including emergency rescue forces with snowmobiles) and users of generators, small portable pumps, Hurst Jaws of Life sets...anyone who's used small engines under harsh conditions, cold, damp, wet, rainy or snowy...has had problems.
I've lived in two areas where outdoor recreation is a big part of the regions' economies. And both places, they have had overpriced non-ethanol gas, sold as "marine fuel" or "snowmobile gasoline." Here where I'm at now, it's sold on Indian reservation stations and there is a sign that it's not to be used in automobiles in M--- County (where the Res is located). But they do make it available - because to not do it would destroy the boating and snowmobile-tourism businesses; and leave outdoorsmen as well as emergency workers subject to equipment failure from ethanol gasoline that's absorbed water.
It was 2007 when it was mandated and it was about mid-2008 when it started appearing everywhere. And while some users in some climates, especially dry climates, have avoided problems...recreational boaters; snowmobile users (including emergency rescue forces with snowmobiles) and users of generators, small portable pumps, Hurst Jaws of Life sets...anyone who's used small engines under harsh conditions, cold, damp, wet, rainy or snowy...has had problems.
I've lived in two areas where outdoor recreation is a big part of the regions' economies. And both places, they have had overpriced non-ethanol gas, sold as "marine fuel" or "snowmobile gasoline." Here where I'm at now, it's sold on Indian reservation stations and there is a sign that it's not to be used in automobiles in M--- County (where the Res is located). But they do make it available - because to not do it would destroy the boating and snowmobile-tourism businesses; and leave outdoorsmen as well as emergency workers subject to equipment failure from ethanol gasoline that's absorbed water.