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Ethanol destroying small engines

Started by ducatiz, August 01, 2008, 12:06:07 PM

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ducatiz

August 01, 2008, 12:06:07 PM Last Edit: November 25, 2010, 06:10:11 PM by ducatiz
"Mechanics see ethanol damaging small engines
Fuel blend, already implicated in high food prices, linked to rise in repairs "

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25936782/

argh!
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

OwnyTony

#1
August 01, 2008, 01:05:12 PM Last Edit: August 01, 2008, 01:07:04 PM by OwnyTony
Quote from: ducatizzzz on August 01, 2008, 12:06:07 PM
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25936782/

argh!

I feel you.  I HATE ETHANOL.  I use to drive from gas station to gas station to look for 100% gas.  Every station that started to put ethanol in their gas was put on my mental shit list.  Now i have no choice.

DCXCV

#2
August 01, 2008, 01:39:42 PM
QuoteThe Renewable Fuels Association, a trade group for ethanol producers based in Washington, says there's no evidence that ethanol can damage smaller engines, either.

“Tests completed on lawnmowers, chainsaws, weed trimmers and blower vacs with ethanol fuels showed no engine failures, no unscheduled maintenance and good performance,” the association said.

It's not like this association would gain anything by lying about this...oh...wait...   [roll]

"I tend to ride faster when I can't see where I'm going. Everything works out better that way." -- Colin Edwards

NWapex

#3
August 01, 2008, 01:45:13 PM
Oregon mandated all automobiles use ethanol mixed fuel (E10).  Fortunately, there is an exception for motorcycles and other small engine applications.  It is just difficult to find a gas station that carries the good stuff now. 
My rides:  2009 M696, couple of cages, a few grass eating get-alongs, and some asics.

MadDuck

#4
August 01, 2008, 04:10:00 PM
We don't even have a choice here in Hawaii. Gas is all a blend now and all stations carry it. Mandated by our (cough) legislature.
No modification goes unpunished. Memento mori.  Good people drink good beer.  Things happen pretty fast at high speeds.

It's all up to your will level, your thrill level and your skill level.  Everything else is just fluff.

Super T.I.B

#5
August 01, 2008, 05:36:43 PM
I emailed the Ducati distributor in Australia and he stated that Ducati's should NOT use ethanol blended fuel.

I'm starting to have the same trouble finding normal fuel, went into a BP yesterday to fuel up only to find no normal unleaded bowsers.

Got back on my bike and rode out.  :-\

He Man

#6
August 01, 2008, 05:46:45 PM
So whos going to invent a Ethanol De-gummer solution that will be used in all gasoline engines that were engineered prior to 2008?

zvezdah1

#7
August 01, 2008, 06:13:37 PM
IMHO ethanol blend is going the way of the dinosaur very soon. Too many problems with food shortages worldwide which is thought one of the unexpected negatives of ethanol production, not to mention increase in prices of not only corn, but wheat, rice etc.

Do a google search and loads of hits from reputable sources cite the many probs with use of ethanol.

Chris

ducatiz

#8
August 01, 2008, 07:16:29 PM
If I am nto mistaken, using StaBil (or Startron or E-zorb) in your gas prevents the gumming to a great extent.  Someone speak to this?
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

bluemoco

#9
August 03, 2008, 07:25:24 PM
E10 (gas w/ 10% Ethanol) has been ubiquitous here in MN for years.   I really am not happy with the stuff.

For instance, I've burned up a 2-stroke lawnmower and have had numerous fuel-system clogging issues in my other small engines.  [bang]   The anecdotal stories (in the OP's article link) ring very true to me.

ducatizzzz-Sta-bil (fuel stabilizer) will help.  I use it in any fuel that doesn't get used immediately.  But it's not a guarantee that you won't have ethanol-related issues crop up.  Especially in vehicles/engines that get stored for a few months at a time (boats, motorcycles, etc.).

"I'm the guy who does his job. You must be the other guy." - Donnie Wahlberg in "The Departed"

"America is all about speed.  Hot, nasty, badass speed." --Eleanor Roosevelt, 1936

DrNo08

#10
August 03, 2008, 07:54:13 PM
Quote from: mac900 on August 01, 2008, 04:10:00 PM
We don't even have a choice here in Hawaii. Gas is all a blend now and all stations carry it. Mandated by our (cough) legislature.

- The worst 9 words in the English language according to Reagan were "I'm with the government and I'm here to help"

Howie

#11
August 03, 2008, 08:36:32 PM
Quote from: bluemoco v2.0 on August 03, 2008, 07:25:24 PM
E10 (gas w/ 10% Ethanol) has been ubiquitous here in MN for years.   I really am not happy with the stuff.

For instance, I've burned up a 2-stroke lawnmower and have had numerous fuel-system clogging issues in my other small engines.  [bang]   The anecdotal stories (in the OP's article link) ring very true to me.

ducatizzzz-Sta-bil (fuel stabilizer) will help.  I use it in any fuel that doesn't get used immediately.  But it's not a guarantee that you won't have ethanol-related issues crop up.  Especially in vehicles/engines that get stored for a few months at a time (boats, motorcycles, etc.).



Worse than that, on older vehicles you can run into fuel system compatability problems, not just rubber, but even fiberglass tanks.

OwnyTony

#12
August 03, 2008, 09:01:46 PM
Quote from: howie on August 03, 2008, 08:36:32 PM
Worse than that, on older vehicles you can run into fuel system compatability problems, not just rubber, but even fiberglass tanks.
I wish ethanol would just go away.  I think I will have to tear all my small engines apart.

DRKWNG

#13
August 04, 2008, 12:25:58 AM
Quote from: mac900 on August 01, 2008, 04:10:00 PM
We don't even have a choice here in the People's Republik of Hawaii. Gas is all a blend now and all stations carry it. Mandated by our (cough) legislature.

Fixed.

RichD

#14
August 04, 2008, 02:45:09 AM Last Edit: August 04, 2008, 02:51:57 AM by SUPER DUKE!
The biggest problem with E10 is to 2-strokes.

For years and years I've been using MAXIMA Castor 929.  It is compatible with 0% to 100% alcohol fuel...
Why?  -Because it smells good, protects good, and doesn't smoke too bad... and it smells good.   ;D

My Lawnboy mower is 13 years old this August and has NEVER had the sparkplug out of it.
Starts first pull.

I now use E10 (because that is all that's available around me) in everything.

I think much of the problem is people can't get away with the CHEAP LUBRICANTS they once could.

The Maxima is spendy... but I've never had any gumming whatsoever or engine failures either...
And I have weed eaters, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, etc, etc...

FWIW
DFW-MFer!
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