Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Nope...I don't work for the ethanol industry... I am a mathematics instructor who does his homework and doesn't just buy into one's opinion. http://comosr.spps.org/Vaerst.html if you'd like to check for yourself.
In older equipment....as has been stated many times over, the hoses need to be changed out and it is good to go. That is not the fault of Ethanol...it is the fault of the owner not following up on the guidelines that have been out there for years about what to do with ethanol coming in. In fact, I have a 1973 Johnson 20hp that has not had lines changed out (still the original from when built) and it has never had a problem with gas line deterioration...WHY? Because the gas was always run out of the motor if it were to sit more than 10 days....and that was BEFORE ethanol was produced. Proper maintenance goes a long, long way. If you'd like to see it run, feel free to drop me a line and come on over. I'll fire it right up for you and it hasn't been run in over 2 years.
As for gumming up a motor quicker, that I would argue is completely and utterly false!! With the detergents in today's gasoline blends (all of them) and the fact that alcohol is a solvent, when properly maintained, your engine will be CLEANER!!
Countless situation of when mechanics are cleaning carbs, etc is not due to ethanol..it is due to a lack of maintenance somewhere on the part of the owner. THAT has very little room for argument.
Never said Ethanol had a shorter shelf life...that I do not know... All I know is that it will absorb water more readily due to the alcohol in it, which if left long enought will result in poorer performance. So...as for arguing whether or not it has a shorter shelf life, I'll be straight up and say I don't know that as being fact. But...I will tell you this, if I find it and you are right, I will admit so...
The only point that I will agree with you is the power output of ethanol is less than straight gasoline. All of the others except for the one I will research on, is the fault of an owner not maintaining his/her equipment. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with Ethanol.
At the pump....Spend your money how you wish...if you like straight gas and want to pay the extra $$ for it and make the store more money when your motor may or may not need it, go for it... I'll save my coins for fishing equipment...
Steve |
