Ethanol vs. Your Engine

[the Ferret]

Not me

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Not me

I could have bet on that.

Cheers

[the Ferret]

You'd have won.

[Yeahoo Whoyah_imp]

The AMA is actively trying to keep methanol content from increasing to 15% (E85)
Join the fight!
http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/righ...ought.aspx

I use this stuff hoping it helps, especially in my 1971 Moto Guzzi and 1950 Cushman.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Shoreline-Mari...z/21575313

[Dakota_imp]

Looks like there are lot of myths about ethanol afloat.

However, there is a little bit less energy in E10, as ethanol has about 2/3 of energy of gas. But then, it's only 10 % oberall and btw. at least here in Europe gas contained already about 5% ethanol for the last 40 years or so for some reason.

So it ends up in 1/3 of 5% less energy in E10, compared to E5 (or regular), which is less than 2% per gallon.

But somehow the net loss of MPG in real world use is 10%.

But somehow the net loss of MPG in real world use is 10%.
The problem is most folks are failures at basic math so their results are suspect.

[ChipBeck_imp]

Gentlemen,

I'm a Chevron dealer and one of the largest independent retailers of E-85 Ethanol in Arizona. One of my stations is very close to the Phoenix International Airport and cabs that service the airport are required by law to use E-85 in their cabs. The cab drivers hate it as it's usually about 20% cheaper than gas and it gets 30% fewer MPG. E-85 is 85% Ethanol and 15% gasoline. All gasolines sold in AZ are E-10 (10% Ethanol). Properly tuned cars and motorcycles can expect 3% poorer fuel mileage when using E-10 than when using straight gasoline. Flex fuel vehicles that can run on E-85 can expect 30% poorer mileage. Ethanol gas pumps and tank equipment is a lot more expensive than regular gas pumps because everything must be made out of stainless steel. Water sensors don't work in E-85 tanks because the water mixes with the fuel. Most, but not all water still sits on the bottom of our E-10 tanks. Producing 1 gallon of low energy ethanol requires nearly 1000 gallons of water, a lot of nitrogen fertilizer, and over half a gallon of high energy diesel. I make a living selling this boondoggle swill but virtually no Ethanol would be sold without forcing people to buy it with coercive laws. It is what it is, a shameful waste. But my CB1100 still hauls as*!!!

Chip

[JustPassinThru_imp]

Chip:

Thanks for telling it like it is. I've followed this since it was passed into law...actually, since 1970s Gasohol died a very-deserved death in the market. Ethanol is like various other "Alternative Energy" boondoggles brought us by NON-scientist NON-engineers - which waste energy, do not save it, and cost consumers a LOT in the end.

I despair of telling others of this because I'm immediately attacked with political accusations - you know what they are, no need to repeat them. But the bottom line for riders is: Ethanol is costly; it has the potential to do harm in engines not meticulously set up for them. It offers LESS energy, not more. The bad side effects are more prevalent and likely in marine engines than in car engines; and in small engines, cycles, lawn mowers, generators, than in massive V8s.

To me it's worth a ten-mile ride to get booze-free gasoline - at fifty-cents-a-gallon more

[Scoobynut_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.

[holy666diver_imp]

Anyone ever use this ethonal fuel conditioner?

http://lucasoil.com/products/fuel-treatm...tabilizers

[ClassicVW_imp]

AFAIK, I can't get non ethanol gas here in NJ. Unless I have boat. So, the winter storage fuel stabilizers are very important. But don't forget, the stabilizer is only good for 1 year from the time you break the seal on the bottle, so throw out any unused product that's still in the bottle after you use it for one winter.