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Automobile: E10 Contaminated Gas & Engine Damage
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FUEL-TESTERS
Everything you need to know to safely manage ethanol & E10 gasoline...
View Page One Introduction
Consumer Reports E10 gas/engine problems:
Send Report to Fuel-Testers:
REPORT Contaminated E10 Gas, engine damage due to ethanol blends, abnormal test results (high ethanol or water in gas) and/or problems with ethanol fuels.
AUTO VEHICLE CONSUMER REPORTS:
Engine type: 2002 Surburban, (auto) Location: Laredo, Texas Initials: RO. Date: 05/27/2008
" I recently visited family in Dallas, TX and had to pump some gas to go back home. I saw an odd sticker I had never seen before. It was black and barely noticeable. It stated, "contains ethanol". I asked the attendant if I could pump that gas in a 2001 suburban I was driving. He said there would be no problem since it was only 10 percent. I pumped some into the truck and 2 hrs later I was stranded in the middle of nowhere. Now I have to pay close to $800 to clean the fuel injectors and drain the gas. "
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--- Fuel Testers Comments: All areas of Texas may be dispensing E10 gasoline. - During 2008-09 many gas stations have switched to E10 blends. An E10 sticker should be visible on gas pump. To guarantee gas does not contain ethanol check at pump with Quik-Check solution.
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Engine type: Ford Expedition, (auto) Location: Blanchard, OK Initials: M.R. Date: 07/09/2008
" Since using the ethanol gas my ford expedition is stalling out daily, as well as affecting my air conditioning to the point of NO cool air..."
--- Fuel Testers Comments: While contaminated gas with excess ethanol would cause stalling, we do not believe contaminated gasoline would cause a/c malfunctioning. We asked this consumer several questions to obtain more details but they never responded - -I am posting this here in hopes other Ford Expedition owners will notify us if they have had a similar problem.
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Engine type: Ford Escort, (auto) Location: Portland, OREGON Initials: M.R. Date: 06/03/2008
" My Ford Escort dropped from 30+ mpg to 20 on moving from CA to OR. I have been told about the differnce in gas; is there anywhere I can get a gas with less alcohol in the Portland area?? Car is in excellent shape and running perfectly. "
--- Fuel Testers Comments: A newer V4 automobile should not have greater than a 5% drop in mileage when switching to E10. (This consumer did not submit year, but said engine in excellent condition). Most likely causes include above legal ethanol percent, water diluted contaminated gasoline or mechanical reasons. If the engine is more than 10 years old it's possible the emissions systed is outdated and unable to adapt to higher oxygen content (and lower energy) of E10 gas.
- Every delivery of fuel will often have a different percent of ethanol blended. Pumps labeled E10 may have any amount between 1-10% - Check percent ethanol at time of purchase.
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March 2009 - Check back - More reports will be added to website soon...
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One drop of concentrated Quik Check and a Fuel-Tester quickly checks gasoline for ethanol and/or water contamination -
IMAGE:
Gas that is water contaminated separates into 2 or 3 visible layers - Water (and ethanol) drops to the bottom of tank.
Right: Non-ethanol gas (no alcohol or water) -
Blue Quik-Check drop settles to bottom.
Left: Gas contaminated with alcohol and water.
Quik-Check turns sample bright blue.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
VIEW Manufacturer E10 Fuel Warnings:
Mercury, OMC, Harley, Suzuki, Hyundai, Audi, Briggs & Stratton, Sears...
March 2009 News Update:
Will ACE succeed at convincing the U.S. government to pass laws
that will replace conventional gas with 15% ethanol?
Engine type: 2001 BMW 330i. (auto) Location: Gainesville, Florida Initials: C.P.C. Date: 8/18/2008
" The fuel pump and filter of my 2001 BMW 330i is currently being replaced for the SECOND time in one week due to E10 contamination in Exxon's premium gasoline at the station at the northeast corner of (removed address) and Interstate 75 in Gainesville, Florida.
The total cost of towing, replacing the necessary parts, and adding new fuel so far is $1,124.64, which is only for the first replacement. The car is presently at the BMW dealership, (removed dealer name) Imports, which reports a flood of cars being towed in for fuel pump replacement due to contaminated gasoline up to FIVE TIMES per car and counting.
A friend who owns a Mercedes says his dealership, (removed dealer name) Motors (Gainesville), tells him the same thing is happening with Mercedes cars. Thanks for your helpful information. W.W.B. "
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Engine type: 2008 BMW. (auto) Location: Gainesville, Florida Initials: B.C. Date: 8/15/2008
" Hello, I live in Gainesville, Florida and today brought my brand new BMW X5 to the dealership for service. I was/am having issues with the car starting. They informed me that my fuel pump is contaminated and not covered by my all comprehensive warranty. The damage is to the tune of $1,000.00. BMW also informed me that in the past couple weeks they have had to replace roughly 75 of these in my area. Due to the premium level of my car I can only run premium in it and have never bought gas from a small company. The only companies I use are Mobil, Exxon and occasionally Shell. I almost exclusively fuel my car at Exxon (removed address) in Gainesville, Florida. However, it appears that all these precautions were futile. And what's worse is that I have to repair this problem and there is no guarantee that it isn't going to happen again in a month. This is ridiculous! When I pay $115.00 to fill my car with gasoline I expect it not to also ruin my fuel injectors and cost me an additional thousand bucks. Something needs to be done about this and soon. Thakn you for your website and I just wanted to inform you of the issues. "
--- Fuel Testers Comments: Testing gas needed to confirm, but I suspect gas was both water contaminated and above 10% legal limit of ethanol. This is due to improper blending of ethanol and storage of gas. In Florida many stations did not properly clean fuel tanks and remove all water before switching to E10. Not preparing tanks causes "dirty" gas, since ethanol is a strong solvent/cleanser. Also most BMW's require premium grade octane fuel, and water contamination/phase separation will drop gas octane 2-3 points when it is E10.
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Petition Against E15 (15%) Increase - Engine manufacturers only approve up to 10% ethanol... More info.
