E10 Alcohol Fuels -
Protect your engine with necessary precautions,
test gas for alcohol and water...
Engine Damage & Performance Issues
Due to Use of E10 Ethanol-Blends of Gasoline
- View List Above -
Without necessary precautions and careful monitoring, ethanol alcohol blends of fuel now being widely distributed at public gas pumps may cause unnecessary and unexpected damage to your gas-powered engines.
In newer engines E10 oxygenated gasoline can be safely used with only minimal inconvenience, such as decrease in mpg and fuel efficiency. However, many other types of engines are not designed to resist the damaging effects of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) fuel.
All gas-powered engines can be adversely affected by alcohol-blends of fuel including automobiles, classic cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, marine engines, motorcycles, lawn equipment, etc.
Often the motor damage results from avoidable and unnecessary causes;
For example:
- Lack of proper E10 sticker labeling at gas pumps, - View state-by-state labeling laws -
- Improper blending resulting in E10 gas being sold over the legal limit of 10 percent. - View Alcohol Gas Test Kit -
- Use of E10 in engines not designed or resistant to alcohol. (Check your owner's manual).
E10 is now being dispensed everywhere in the U.S. due to federal renewable fuel laws and mandates (quotas). Unfortunately, several states still refuse to inform consumers when gas dispensed is oxygenated with alcohol.
Until renewable fuel standards (RFS) become more consumer-friendly, with the state and federal laws requiring more careful monitoring at the gas stations and fuel distributors, we encourage your to test fuel for alcohol (link fueltest kit) and familiarize yourself with possible damage and problems that can result from the use of ethanol blends of fuel.
Note: The list below does not include all documented damage attributed to E10 gasoline use. We have chosen to include only the most common damage/problems, based on verifiable reports and resources.
Fuel-Testers, a division of MLR Solutions www.fuel-testers.com - Copyright 2006-2009 - All Rights Reserved.
Check your STATE ETHANOL LABELING LAWS
Report Ethanol Problems
032009 0130
E10 Parts Damage/Problems:
Examples of reported damage, determined to be caused by E10 fuel.
Ethanol Gasoline - General Problems/Issues:
1. Phase separation (P/S) of gasoline.
2. Water contamination (W/C) of gasoline.
3. Attract, absorb and hold moisture in fuel tank.
4. Increased occurrence of lean, water-diluted fuel.
5. Vapor lock or fuel starvation.
6. Drop in octane (after water absorption, P/S and W/C occurs).
7. Decreased fuel efficiency and mpg.
8. Decreased life cycle of parts and engine.
9. Decreased shelf life of gasoline.
Parts Damage:
1. Wear and damage of internal engine parts.
2. Damage to metal, rubber, and plastic parts of fuel system.
3. Corrosion of metal parts in fuel system and engine.
4. Deterioration of elastomers and plastic parts.
5. Deterioration of non-metallic materials.
6. Fuel permeation through flexible fuel lines.
7. Drying, softening, stretching and/or cracking of rubber hoses, seals and other rubber components.
8. Oxygen sensor damage.
9. Damage or premature disintegration of fuel pump.
10. Carburetor damage, including clogging.
11. Dirty and clogged fuel filters.
12. Clogging and plugging of fuel injectors.
13. Destruction of certain fiberglass fuel tanks.
14. Removal or fading of paint and varnish (both internal and external parts of engine).
15. Piston/bore failure through knock/pre-ignition.
16. Piston ring sticking.
17. Unsuitable ignition timing resulting in ignition failure.
18. Gumming-up of fuel injectors, carburetors, etc. due to release of accumulated deposits in engine from ethanol alcohol's solvent properties.
E10 Drivability Issues:
1. Engine performance problems. (Lack of power/energy).
2. Hard starting and operating difficulty.
3. Hesitation and lack of acceleration.
4. Stalling, especially at low speeds.
List update in progress 03-2009 - Contact Fuel-testers for more information.
Read More on Engine Problems Resulting from E10 Ethanol Alcohol Fuel Use.
Ethanol or alcohol-based fuel additives and gas treatments will increase risk. Read
View Consumer Reports of Engine Damage due to contaminated gasoline...
LIST: E10 Engine Damage and Performance Problems
www.fuel-testers.com
FUEL-TESTERS
Everything you need to know to safely manage ethanol & E10 gasoline...
Fuel-Testers List: Engine damage, performance and driveability issues due to E10 ethanol blends of gasoline.
Phase separation, water contamination, parts damage and more.
Is E10 Gasoline Safe for Marine Engines?
VIEW Manufacturer E10 Fuel Warnings:
Mercury, OMC, Harley, Suzuki, Hyundai, Audi, Briggs & Stratton, Sears...
VIEW Consumer Reports of Engine Damage from E10 Gasoline.
Petition Against E15 (15%) Increase - Engine manufacturers only approve up to 10% ethanol... More info.
