E10 Alcohol Fuels - Are you prepared?
Engine - Motor
Problems & Damage
Caused by Ethanol
Ethanol Alcohol Fuels Cause Problems and Damage to Engines
The primary reason E-10 ethanol gas is harmful
is because of it's alcohol/ethanol solvent and water-absorbing qualities.
E-10 is also inconvenient because the shelf life of only 2-3 months.
Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) has several chemical properties and effects which render it to be incompatible with engine parts and vehicles -
Alcohols are water soluble, attract and absorb water/moisture, solvent, cleanser and cleaner, drying-agents, de-greaser...and more
Many motors, especially older engines, are constructed with parts that become very brittle over time and cannot withstand the effects of alcohol. When E10 gas is used, the engine components can disintegrate and clog the engine with sludge and grime, causing the engine to "lock up" and seize. When this happens, often the engine cannot be fixed and must be replaced.
Ethanol's effects vary depending on the engine type, model and year and type of fuel system, (Carbureted, direct-injected, 2 stroke or 4 stroke).
Marine engines are probably least compatible with ethanol-blend fuels. Aircraft agencies ban alcohol-blend fuels and are exempt from using E-10 and E-85.
Gasoline absorption of water is problematic (gas becomes contaminated and must be discarded).
Operating an engine on an alcohol content that is too high (over 10% for E10), will cause engine damage and poor performance.
READ BELOW for the more problems & damage that can result from gas that contains ethanol...
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Check your STATE ETHANOL LABELING LAWS
Engine Problems Resulting from E10 Ethanol Alcohol Fuel Use:
Ethanol alcohol is an excellent SOLVENT - Ethanol will dissolve plastic, rubber, certain types of fiberglass and even aluminum!
Ethanol can dissolve and disintegrate just about anything that has accumulated in a motor engine.
Example(s): Ethanol will dissolve resins that create a black sludge that coats and travels through the engine, causing engine stalling and complications, including clogged fuel filters, carburetor jets and injectors.
Ethanol alcohol is a DRYING AGENT and can DISINTEGRATE or DISSOLVE parts.
Ethanol will dry-out and cause cracking and damage to non-alcohol resistant parts, especially rubber and plastic parts and components.
Many engine hoses of older engines are not resistant to alcohol.
Ethanol alcohol is an excellent CLEANSER -While these can have useful purposes, it can also be very problematic...
Ethanol will clean and release years of dirt, rust, sediment and other gunk from the engine and circulate it through the engine, causing clogging of filters and engine parts.
Ethanol will ABSORB WATER. It actually combines (adsorbs and absorbs) with water, and the combined molecules are greater than the sum of each separate molecule.
When you combine 1 part water + 1 part alcohol the result is NOT 2 - Combined, it actually becomes about 2.3 volume.
Those familar with storage if alcoholic beverages (bear, wine, whiskey) understand this expansion effect. Diluted fuel (due to volume increase when alcohol and water combine) will lower octane and change the entire composition of gasoline.
All alcohols attract and combine with water. Petroleum and most other oil-based compounds are not soluble in water.
Both MTBE and lead (since banned for gas use) did not have an affinity for water.
Ethanol ignites at a higher temperature, compared to conventional non-alcohol gasoline, causing damage to pistons.
E10 can not be added to a tank or pump that contains oyxygenators MTBE or ETBE.
MTBE was recently banned for gas oxygenation and was replaced by ethanol (E10 fuel).
Ethanol based fuel additives and gas treatments will also release rust, debris, sediment and release this gunk - clogging and damaging many engine components and filters.
If you need additional information please contact Fuel-Testers
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E-10 Fuel is NOT Safe for Most Marine Engines
Damage from ethanol's amazing water absorbing qualities is seen most in the boating industry -
Engines that exist in water environments require extra care and monitoring.
Boats love water but petroleum oil and boat engines and parts do not.
Boaters increase their risks even further, because they tend to store fuel in their boat gas tanks much longer than in their automobiles.
Fuel systems of cars also tend to have better seals, (EG. tightly closed gas caps).
Boat engines are used most often during the most humid (summer) months. Moisture from humidity will be absorbed into an unsealed fuel system.
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