PROBLEMS WITH ETHANOL FUELBoats, motorcycles, lawn mowers, and a host of other products are experiencing mechanical damage, gasoline leaks, and fires. The cause? Ethanol, and it’s probably in your gasoline now. These and other problems with ethanol fuel are increasing as its use in American gasoline supplies increases. We’ll discuss how it effects different gas powered products below, but first, let’s take a closer look at ethanol. 
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ETHANOL
Ethanol in the U.S. is distilled primarily from fermented corn. It’s the same process used to make hard liquor. It can be burned in properly equipped engines and it’s use as a gasoline supplement in the U.S. is growing dramatically. Ethanol is now being used as a replacement for the anti-knock compound MTBE . Small amounts of ethanol will soon be found in most gasoline sold in the U.S. Some engines can run the new gasoline blends just fine. But others are having big problems. _________________________________________________________________
One of the main problems with ethanol fuel mixes is that the ethanol component of the mix can attack rubber seals in fuel systems and other engine components. Ethanol mechanical problems can also lead to dangerous, highly flammable fuel leaks, which is one reason why you’re not supposed to put E85 ethanol in the fuel tank of your car unless it is properly equipped. We may soon find blends with 10% ethanol in most of the gasoline we buy. Minnesota’s E-10 ethanol mandate requires 10% ethanol in all of its automotive fuel supplies. Montana and Hawaii have also passed E-10 ethanol fuel use legislation and a number of other states are in the process of introducing similar mandates. Gasohol, or E10 ethanol, is a mixture of 90% gasoline and 10% ethanol. It is often sold as a higher-octane fuel. In addition to boosting octane levels, this mixture also helps reduce oil imports. But consumers want to know if ethanol is safe at 10% concentrations or less. [Note: You need the Free Adobe Reader to access some of the documents shown below.] _________________________________________________________________
ETHANOL AND YOUR CAR
The Minnesota Renewable Energy FAQ page states that, “E-10 is warranted by every automaker that sells vehicles in the U.S.” But they don’t say what model years and makes are involved. They also plan to increase the mandate to 20% ethanol in the next few years. U.S. Department of Energy Ethanol Information also states that, “Auto manufacturers also approve the use of low-level blends because they work well in gasoline engines and create no noticeable difference in vehicle performance.” But, what are you supposed to do if you don’t own a later model car, or if you’re simply worried about problems with ethanol fuel even in E10 or lower ratio blends? Consult your owner’s manual to see if your car can safely burn gasohol or any ethanol containing fuel mix. If you’re not sure, ask a dealer who carries the make and model of car you drive. If you have a reliable mechanic, you can also ask if any fuel system or other alterations are needed to prevent ethanol mechanical problems. Another great resource is the Hawaii New Fuel Consumers site. It may be the single best ethanol consumer resource on the Internet. Its pages are packed full of information about how ethanol will affect our vehicles. It includes info on older vehicles. _________________________________________________________________
ETHANOL AND YOUR BOAT – WARNING!
Boat owners are having a boatload of ethanol mechanical problems. The problems include plugged fuel filters, fuel leaks (and fires resulting from the leaks), fiberglass gas tank failures, and ruined engines. The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a boater’s alert detailing problems with ethanol fuel in Boating Safety Circular 85 . Refer to ‘Pain in the Gas’ starting on page 6. A 1987 “Amendment to Fuel System Standard” found on the last page, left column of USCG Boating Safety Circular 73 is also relevant to the use of ethanol products in marine fuel systems. The Hawaii New Fuel Consumers site has links to the Coast Guard articles mentioned above and a number of other articles about ethanol and your boat. The Know Before You Go page on the Hawaii New Fuel Consumers site details a simple, reliable test procedure to determine if your gasoline contains ethanol. Does you marina carry ethanol free gasoline? Some do, some don’t. You need to ask. Savvy marina owners know the difference between ethanol and MTBE. Both are used as octane boosters. For boaters, the most important difference is that all gasoline-powered boats can handle MTBE, but only a few can handle ethanol without problems. Outboard Wizard details the kinds of ethanol mechanical problems people are having with outboard motors. It also has solutions for outboard owners and a number of useful links for boaters. This About.com – Ethanol Controversy page illustrates how bad problems with ethanol fuel mixes can get. And this About.com – Marine Fuel Ups article mentions how widespread the problems with ethanol fuel mixes are getting. It also details a number of preventable fueling problems. If you’re familiar with the Darwin Awards that make the rounds on the Internet, you’ll enjoy this one. You can prevent major boating problems with ethanol fuel mixes by taking action. Check your boat owner’s manual and talk to your dealer, reliable boat mechanics, and your marina operators to find out just where you stand. Action now can save thousands later, and it could save your life. _________________________________________________________________
ETHANOL AND YOUR AIRPLANE – FORBIDDEN!Though research is underway to advance the use of ethanol in aircraft, its use is forbidden as set forth in this U.S. Federal Aviation Agency 2006 Airworthiness Bulletin . The FAA expressly forbids the use of any ethanol containing fuel. The Hawaii New Fuel Consumers site refers to a number of FAA documents, including documents that CANCEL previous authorization for certain aircraft to use gasoline from automotive service stations. It’s important reading for all who have the good fortune to be aircraft owners. The only American aircraft allowed to use any ethanol bearing fuel are experimental aircraft licensed for such use. Otherwise ETHANOL USE IN U.S. AIRCRAFT IS FORBIDDEN! _________________________________________________________________
ETHANOL AND YOUR TOOLS AND TOYS - ALERT!
We’ve touched on the effects of ethanol on the three major travel mediums, land, water, and air. But we use an array of gasoline burning products including motorcycles, ATVs, farm tractors, lawn mowers, and much more. Ethanol is in the process of mixing into virtually all U.S. gasoline supplies. As discussed in the ‘Ethanol and Your Boat’ section, there are serious problems with ethanol fuel mixes in engines that haven’t been designed to accommodate it. Can we expect to have problems with all of our gasoline consuming products similar to those boaters are experiencing? A quick way to find out is with a search engine.
Enter a term such as ‘Ethanol motorcycle repairs’ or ‘Ethanol lawn mower repairs’. When you use ‘Ethanol ________repairs’ for your keyword search you’ll get resources that dial right in to the product of concern. But. The only sure way to avoid ethanol mechanical problems in your gasoline-powered products is to check your owner’s manual and check with the dealer. Ask about the effect of ethanol on engines, fuel tanks, fuel lines, fuel system seals, fuel filters, and other engine components. Different products will be affected in different ways. Taking action now can save a lot of money and grief later. _________________________________________________________________
More ethanol information at
Advantages and Disadvantages of Biomass
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