Fact, fiction and some surprising realities of ethanol

Surprised by the truths of ethanol? You're not alone...

- Comments by G. Alexander, Owner of Fuel-Testers -

Almost everyday I receive phone calls/emails that result in the caller being very surprised about the "truth and facts" of ethanol and E10 fuels...

We must wonder why the U.S. government and EPA, whom mandated the use of alcohol fuels in recent years, has been unable to supply important facts and precautions to the mainsteam public. An occassional news article or telvision/radio public notice would have been appropriate.

The public has basically been forced to fend for themselves,

to receive the necessary information they need to properly use and manage alcohol/ethanol blend fuels.

Ethanol information and necessary precautions is readily available on government, company and fuel organization websites; But,

your typical consumer does not even realize, when filling-up their vehicles with gas, that current gas most likely contains ethanol alcohol.

E10 gasoline has dramatically changed fuel composition, quality, shelf life and risks.

Since the majority of states do not always label gas pumps, (when ethanol is added), many people do not realize they're pumping E10 grade gasoline.

For those who have recently become familiar with "E10", many still do not know and understand the shelf life is less than 100 days!

In the past gasoline stayed stable for years - So why would the EPA and major fuel refineries expect consumers to know E10 has a very short shelf life?

Many a boat owner will be very upset after storing a full tank of ethanol gas this winter, to learn it has contaminated and be discarded this spring - A shame and unnecessary loss of money, especially with gas prices over $ 3.00/gallon this past year.

Ethanol changes all the rules of fuel management - Change takes time, but lack of information necessary can sometimes cause major irreversible damage and loss.

I've been around ethanol for years, and sometimes I even learn something new that shocks me -

Usually when my information is incorrect, it's simply because I "trusted" an expert in the field, and did not bother to research and evaluate their conclusions myself-

Example: For years a highly respected Evinrude BRP/OMC certified station in business for 30+ years, told me Evinrude 2 + 4 fuel conditioner is helpful to extend life of E10 fuel in marine engines -

Since I've had so many conversations with them in past regarding E10 and marine engines, I trusted their recommendation and never bothered to review the MSDS and ingredients myself.

Yesterday I came across the MSDS, while looking for another product - and I was SHOCKED to find out BRP 2+4 is made primarily from Isoprpyl Alcohol!!!!!

Moral of the story: Nobody is exempt from misinformation and confusion surrounding ethanol blend fuels - E10.

Do the best you can to stay educated informed, and in time things will settle down - Pay special attention to both alcohol and water presence in fuel.

Having too much water or alcohol in E10 gas will always lead to problems, therefore monitoring the fuel and following other basic precautions should get you through the change with hopefully minimal inconvenience and financial loss.

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Ethanol alcohol, used for oxygenating E10 and E85 fuel, is a solvent, cleanser, antifreeze, readily absorbs water, etc...

Many other fuel system treatment products have the same exact properties.

Some companies that manufacture and sell fuel treatment products are using deceptve marketing tactics, to convince you that they have a product which will "prevent and fix" all ethanol-related fuel problems - No such miracle product exists!

If there was product or chemical which could simply prevent all the negative side-effects of ethanol in fuel, the major gas companies would already be adding it to the gas produced.

Gas contains hundreds of chemicals and compounds - All added by the fuel companies to provide the best quality of gas possible.

Gasoline sold to the public contains stabilizers, preservatives, dyes, oxygenators, octane enhancers and much more.

Some fuel sytem products that do not list any alcohol in their ingredients, may instead contain a chemical that has similar properties to ethanol - E.G. Fuel additives that are also "hygroscopic" (attract and absorb or adsorb water) should be avoided.

Many engine manufacturers advise against using any ethanol or methanol fuels.

If your engine owner's manual and/or warranty contract forbids use of alcohol fuels, you will not be reimbursed for any engine damage that is a result of E10 and alcohol blend fuel use! Engines that contain fuel in the tank over 10 % (legal limit in U.S. for E10) also will have their warranty invalidated if gas in tank tests over 10% alcohol.

June 2008 - Page being edited - Please return later for complete article.

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