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: 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.
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.
Over 10% ethanol will cause damage to most conventional engines.
All major auto and marine engine manufacturers currently limit allowable ethanol in gas to 10%. (Check your owners manual and warranty statement).
Ethanol based fuel additives and gas treatments will increase risk. Higher alcohol causes extra release of rust, debris, sediment and gunk - and further clogging and damage to engine components and filters.
View List of types of engine damage caused by E10 in conventional engines.