Ethanol Free Tri-power?

[64falconsix]

I had been having tuning issues with the tri power 200 in the falcon.I only drive it about every 2 or 3 weeks, It had seemed to be a little low on power lately and running a tad lean I adjusted the carbs and reset the timing without resolve.I was reading a post somewhere about ethanol / gasoline blends not only being harmful to the entire fuel system and engine but not burning as effieciantly as 100 percent gasoline causing lower gas mileage and poor performance. I found a link to ethanol free gas stations.http://www.examiner.com/x-4824-Tamp...~y2010m1d23-List-of-ethanol-free-gas-stations.I ran my tank nearly empty and pumped in 8 gallons of ethanol free 93 octane. after a few minutes of driving I could see the difference in the reading on the AFR. and felt a noticable increase in smoothness and accelaration.problem solved for now as this is the only ethanol free station within 30 miles of me.


Charlie

 

[Eric Rose]

The stuff in your link about how it "destroys the engine" exaggerated. It does reduce efficiency and fuel economy a little bit, but thats about it. All the rubber fuel system products produced since 1985 have been compatible with 10% ethanol. The efficiency can even probably be regained by adjusting timing, increasing compression, etc.

 

[wallaka]

It definitely dings the fuel economy. I've noticed a couple mpg difference with my M3 since the ethanol addition became more prevalent.

And it has 11.5:1 compression already!

 

[rbohm]

8) try bumping the timing a few degrees before you go to the expense of 91 octane. as indicated E10 is no problem with modern materials.

 

[fordconvert]

Slightly less performance and MPG, yes. The fuel in itself destroying engines no. We went through this a long time ago in my area and we and our engines are still (for the most part) here to talk about it.

Its just like leaded gas as far as destroying engines. It makes no difference to about 90% of the engines out there and if you have one of the 10% you should have the knowledge to know its a problem and be able tune around it. If you are pushing the engine right to its limits its something you need to be aware of but for most people its not that big a deal. We have had it here for darn near 20 years. Im not so sure that by 85 materials were compatible. Mid 90's parts were mostly compatible. Early on there were lots of issues but they were mostly due to neglected systems anyway. Its fun to read about places that are just getting it now thinking its the end of the internal combustion engine just like it was here 20 years ago.

Some areas the mid grade is the one with the blend, I think they take the low grade and add the 10% to it to bump it to the mid. Some areas its seasonal or only in the big cities. Other areas all 3 grades have it over the whole state. Here in MN the Minnesota Streetrod Association and some others went to the state and got it so stations could apply for an exemption to sell non blended premium if they wanted to. I think there are a few hundred locations in the whole state that do this.

Biggest problem I have with the stuff (other than the politics behind it) is it lowers the vapor pressure of the fuel enough that it increases your chances of vapor lock.

Another problem we saw a lot in our area when it got common was the 70's cars tended to run fairly lean from the factory which was fine as long as you did not mess with anything. Problem came when the smart people decided they were going to improve things by 'removing all that emissions crap' and not properly altering the carb to make up for it. Usually that made them run even leaner and hotter which coupled with the fuel thing did make a mess of things. 80's was not quite as bad because most of the time if you uhooked the mixture solenoid in the carb they went full rich so performance and mpg usually suffered but the engine survived.

 

[David_Conwill]

Not to offend, but why cling to the past instead of figuring out a way to deal with the present reality? Ethanol isn’t going anywhere, and it’s probably coming on stronger soon (E15). I figure embracing it and learning its nuances is a lot better idea than being left in the cold when straight gasoline goes the way of leaded.

-Dave

 

[CobraSix]

Only problem I've ever had with Ethanol is if you let the fuel sit for long periods of time. It has a bad habit of seperating with the water and turning into a gel. It can cause damage that way if it gets sucked into the delivery system. I haven't had the problem on carb'd cars (heck, my 65 sits for months on end during the winter with no ill effect). I have had the problem a lot on marine outboard engines (both 2 and 4 stroke) and my seasonal yard equipment (like my mower that sits during the winter and the snow blower that sits in the summer). But that's only if I don't drain the fuel system dry.

I'm going to have to suck it up and buy some fuel stabilizer soon when I refill my gas generator. 10 gallon tank was filled up 6 years ago before E10 came to our area. I never touched the gas and have had no problems so far. But I'm down to the last gallon of it.