E10 Ethanol: Recommended engine precautions

Fuel Testers provides information and gas alcohol test kits to manage E10 ethanol blend renewable fuels.

Precautions are necessary to avoid engine damage with E10 ethanol alcohol fuels.

Fuel system and gas rules have changed - Following Simple Precautions is Now Necessary with E10 Gasoline.

Ethanol is an alcohol, made from corn or grains, added to gasoline to oxygenate fuel at the gas pumps. Ethanol gasoline fuel is commonly called E10, E85, corn fuel, alcohol fuel and reformulated or renewable fuel and gas. More information: What is ethanol? Ethanol's History.

When using E10 ethanol alcohol fuels, several precautions are necessary because...

X E10 and E85 ethanol blend fuels have an affinity to quickly absorb amazing amounts of water.

X Ethanol alcohol is a great solvent, drying agent and cleanser, that can dissolve engine parts (rubber, plastic, aluminum, and certain fiberglass tanks), remove lubrication, and more. Engine seals and hoses shrink, swell, dry out and lose strength when exposed to ethanol renewable gasoline.

X Water is actually attracted and absorbed into an ethanol blended fuel, and phase separation occurs much sooner. With MTBE, ETBE, lead and other chemicals used in the past to oxygenate gasoline; this did not happen.

X The shelf life of ethanol blend fuels is much lower due to its water-absorbing and corrosive qualities. Replacing gasoline every 2 to 4 weeks is recommended with E10; Recommended use time guidelines vary due to several factors, including type of engine, atmospheric conditions of where engine lives or is stored, quality and octane of fuel, etc. 100 days is the maximum shelf-life for E10 gasoline under ideal conditions.

X The amount of ethanol blended in at the pumps, is not closely monitored. Checking gasoline meets safe and legal alcohol guidelines (10% or lower), is necessary now, until more stringent and consumer-friendly laws are passed.

With knowledge on ethanol's effects and necessary precautions, combined with careful monitoring, you can limit the problems and inconvenience of E10 gas for most engines.

Fuel Testers recommends testing gasoline for alcohol at the pumps before purchase.

Alcohol Fuel Test Kits will assure gas contains 10 % or less ethanol. ORDER a Gas Test Kit

Ethanol - Site Contents: E10 gas, disadvantages, precautions, renewable gasoline, marine, automobile...

E10 Ethanol Use

and Precautions

E10 Ethanol Gas Blend Fuel - Precautions

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Check your State's ETHANOL LABELING LAWS

Report abnormal test results and problems with ethanol fuels.

MORE INFORMATION:

Ethanol's Water Absorbing Qualities

- 10% ethanol gasoline is hygroscopic (will absorb water) and can absorb 50 times more water than conventional non-alcohol gasoline.

- Phase separation happens in E10 gas, when only 0.5% water or 3.8 teaspoons water per gallon of fuel is absorbed.

At 70 degrees Fahrenheit, conventional (non-alcohol) gasoline can dissolve up to 150 parts per million (ppm) water.

The situation is different for gasoline oxygenated with 10 % volume ethanol...

The ethanol blend can dissolve much more water, up to 6000-7000 ppm.

When this blend is cooled, both the water and some of the ethanol become insoluble.

Phase Separation

With the process of phase separation, two layers of liquid are visible.

An upper ethanol-deficient gasoline layer and a lower ethanol-rich (up to 75% ethanol) water layer.

It occurs because ethanol is completely soluble in water but only marginally soluble in hydrocarbons...

After phase separation, the gasoline layer will have a lower octane number. The fuel also is less volatile.

Shelf Life

Ethanol fuel expires in about 90 days. At around 100 days, under ideal conditions (mid-temperature and low humidity), ethanol blend fuels will enter phase separation (contaminated gas). The expiration date is determined from the date ethanol was added to the fuel, not the date you purchased the gasoline.

- Service and maintain your engines to avoid problems with E10 gas -

There are several other motor modifications and precautions necessary when switching and using E10 fuel. Consult a mechanic and your owners manual for advice.

Depending on the type and condition of your engine, will determine how much engine damage and decrease in engine performance that will occur, after switching to fuels that contain alcohol.

Older, poorly serviced engines, boat engines and motors that reside in high moisture environments, fuel-injection engines and motors that use gas with extra cleaning and cetain gas treatment products/additives, will have the most damage and problems..

There are many measures you can take to protect your engine from E10 gas. Even something as simple as checking and changing filters often, which will become dirty quicker when using E10 (due to it's cleansing & solvent abilities), will prevent unnecessary repairs.

Older engines, especially those manufactured prior to late 1990's -2000, often have parts that are not alcohol resistant. It is necessary to check and chane these parts prior to sitching to E10, to prevent unnecessary engine damage and repairs.

Many engines manufactured advise against using any ethanol or methanol fuels. Check your engine's owner's manual fuel recommendations for fuel requirements.

- Never add alcohol-containing products to E10 gasoline -

Some common categories of fuel additives and gas treatment products, that often contain alcohols include, oxygenators, fuel conditioners, cleaners and cleansers, water-removers, degreasers, rust removers and more.

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Ethanol Alcohol Fuel Test Kits

Precautions

1. Test gas for alcohol presence and to assure it is below the legal limit of 10%.

Gas stations are not required to check that the distributor added the correct amount of ethanol

and several states still do not label pump when ethanol alcohol is added to oxygenate gas.

Gas alcohol levels above 10 percent can cause major damage to most engines.

Inexpensive portable Alcohol Fuel Test Kits are now available for public use.

Visit www.fueltestkit.com/order_ethanol_alcohol_fuel_test_kit.html

2. Replace the gas in your fuel tank at least every 2-3 weeks.

Shelf life of E-10 gas is only 3 months (90-100 days) under ideal conditions and when purchased at busy name-brand stations.

3. Know the specific fuel laws for your state. Laws and fuel composition change often.

Ethanol is added locally, not at the refinery, usually by the delivery truck drivers,

Many states still refuse or chose not to label gas pumps when ethanol alcohols are added to local gas supply.

View state ethanol labeling laws here: http://www.fuel-testers.com/state_guide_ethanol_laws.html

4. Check your owner's manual for fuel type recommended. If you have an older engine (prior to 1998), it probably does not permit alcohol in fuel - formally contact the manufacturer for gas recommendations.

5. Prevent external water and moisture (high humidity) from coming in contact with E-10 gas. Keep engine well-lubricated to repel water damage and rusting. Check fuel lines are sealed and intact.

6. Shelf life of E-10 gas is only 3 months under ideal conditions. Also be aware that ethanol-blend fuels will lower MPG in most engines.

Purchase gas at least every 2-3 weeks at busy name-brand stations. More information on fuel efficiency and mpg of E-10 gas.

7. Chose an octane level above 91, for an added level of safety when purchasing E-10 gas,

If gas water contaminates (W/C), fuel dilutes and the octane level can drop up to 3 points.

8. Avoid all fuel additives and fuel system treatment products that contain ethanol or are alcohol-based,

Most octane boosters and fuel system cleaning products contain alcohol. Also the adding of chemicals similar to alcohol, (example acetone, which is drying, solvent and absorbs water) will increase your risk.

9. Become familiar with symptoms and effects of "bad gas", often caused by too high alcohol levels of gas.

Additionally, many areas are experiencing problems with E10 switchover, which too often has resulted in gas contaminated with accumulated rust, sediment and dirt being released from gas tank walls.

Symptoms may include varied engine malfunction including stalling, hesitation when WOT, smoke released from exhaust, clogged fuel filters and carburetors, damage to fuel and VRO pumps and pistons, disintegration and dissolving of engine parts (especially rubber and plastic), drying-out of parts (hoses), and more.

10. Save money - Contaminated gas can not be restored to the original composition. No miracle product currently exists that will effectively prevent all water absorption or safely repair phase separation (P/S) of gas.

If such a product existed, the gas companies would already be adding it to the hundreds of ingredients refined fuel contains.

See Precautions #11 -20 listed below.

E10 Gas Precautions (Continued from above).

11. Frequently check gasoline tank for signs of Water Contamination (WC) and Phase Separation (PS).

Owners of engines used in or near water or high humidity conditions should always check before starting engine. 2 or 3 distinct layers will be seen after WC and PS occur.

12. Check the engine warranty for details and consequences of alcohol fuel use. Most engine warranties clearly state that repair is not reimbursable when damage is due to use of bad fuel or when gas contains above 10% alcohol.

13. Install a water-separator filter (10 micron or better) if not already present in your engine,

14. Only purchase and store E-10 and E-85 ethanol gas in clean and dry tanks.

Fuel discoloration indicates gas contamination. Often commonly due to release of accumulated rust, dirt and sediment removed from the gas tank walls by ethanol's solvent and cleansing abilities.

15. Properly discard any fuel that appears to have gone bad. Resist the temptation to use bad gas in other gas-powered equipment or vehicles.

16. Keep your engine well tuned and lubricated and follow the manufacturers recommended maintenance schedule.

Replace parts that are not resistant to alcohol, before switching to E-10 gas.

Plastic and rubber parts and hoses are most vulnerable. Fuel system and pumps, piston and carburetor and timing may need changes to be compatible.

Older engines often contain parts not designed to resist ethanol/alcohol.

17. Be aware that "private" gas pumps (EG. marine refilling stations) are not required to follow the same laws that pertain to public gas stations. Therefore their gas may not contain ethanol or they may have E-10 gas but chose not to label in states that require E-10 stickers.

18. Airplanes (all aircraft) are banned and exempt from using ethanol blends and all alcohol fuels.

19. Many types of engines are not designed for alcohol fuel. This may include older cars and outboards, lawn and other small gas-powered equipment.

Only during the past 5-10 years, have the manufacturers' re-designed engines, when necessary to be compatible with E-10 gas. This was a result of ethanol mandates and legislation from laws to comply with The Clean Air Act and Alternative Motor Fuels Act, beginning around 1988.

20. Consider purchasing an E85 Flex-Fuel vehicle (now available from most major automakers). Even if E85 gas pumps are not available in your area, E85 compatible engines contain parts specifically designed to withstand alcohol's negative effects, which will dramatically decrease your risks when buying E10 gas.

While E-85 fuel is far from a perfect solution, it also decreases our dependence on foreign fuel.

E10 gasoline causes many more problems and disadvantages than benefits. E85 fuels in E85 designed engines is far more advantageous.

If the United States does not take the necessary steps, to provide a beneficial type of fuel, other than alcohol mixed with petroleum - for now E85 gas in an E85 designed engine is the best choice currently available to most consumers.