Posts: 271
Location: davis,IL | Ethanol is an additive used to boost octane levels, meaning it can be added to lesser quality gas to bring it up to 87octane ( the minimum required for most engines) or more. The downsides are more than most people know, besides acting as a solvent in conventional 2 strokes, it attracts moisture and it burns hotter. This hotter burn, in engines not designed for ethanol can be disasterous (melted pistons, valves, heads etc.) Most modern engines are designed to handle 10 - 15% at most, the engines noted as" flex fuel" can handle 85% ethanol. These "flex fuel" engines have lower heat range (colder) spark plugs, larger cooling systems, and fuel delivery systems designed to resist the corrosive effects of ethanol. I,ve seen and heard of numerous 2 strokes damaged by excessive ethanol. Only the newer DFI 2 strokes and 4 strokes will have the "true" ability to run 10 - 15% ethanol fuel without damaging internal engine components and fuel systems.
Edited by muskydope 5/25/2009 7:53 PM
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