Storing gas with ethanol
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BornFree
Came This Far
Reader said:
My guess is that this type of Gas will turn bad quickly. The Gas they have been making does not last anywhere near as long as the old Gas with lead in it. Todays gas can turn green in couple of months in the carberator of a lawn mower or snowblower...That is if it is warm enough. So I imagine that something made from corn is not going to last even that long. It will basically spoil.
BornFree
Came This Far
Here are some links to PDF documents with some info. Was surprised to find out that this stuff will cause harder starts in the winter time. No aluminum is allowed in this fuel system either. Unlike Gas...Ethanol conducts electricity, and I imagine that could be a problem in more than one way unless all systems are designed for it. Including the gas stations that pumping the fuel.
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/ethanol/storinggas.pdf
http://www.e85fuel.com/pdf/e85_technical_booklet.pdf
" Use good tank management techniques. All gasoline has a limited storage life and reformulated gasoline is no exception. Therefore, when storing your snowmobile for more than 60 days, make sure that the gas tank is completely empty, regardless of which type of gasoline you are using. Also it is a good idea to remove any gasoline in the fuel system by operating the engine until it stops. Taking this precaution will minimize the risk of fuel breakdown when you store your snowmobile for long periods in the off-season."
http://www.epa.gov/region5/air/mobile/snowmo.htm
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/ethanol/storinggas.pdf
http://www.e85fuel.com/pdf/e85_technical_booklet.pdf
" Use good tank management techniques. All gasoline has a limited storage life and reformulated gasoline is no exception. Therefore, when storing your snowmobile for more than 60 days, make sure that the gas tank is completely empty, regardless of which type of gasoline you are using. Also it is a good idea to remove any gasoline in the fuel system by operating the engine until it stops. Taking this precaution will minimize the risk of fuel breakdown when you store your snowmobile for long periods in the off-season."
http://www.epa.gov/region5/air/mobile/snowmo.htm
north runner
Membership Revoked
An airtight container should work. The alcohol in the gas would attract moisture and shorten the storage life if you're can isn't sealed properly. It could probably be offset by using isopropyl additive when you use the gas. I remember people nitro packing their storage gas back when. With the higher concentration of alcohol we're going to be using in the future up to 50% it will have to stored differently and filtered more carefully before using it because it loosens rust in metal cans.
The Freeholder
Inactive
Did anyone notice this in the Handbook for Storing and etc. for E85:
If I'm reading this right, E85 gives you 72% of the MPGs as gasoline (Page 9, Table 2). Criminy, you get 70% on pure ethanol.
This is somewhat confirmed by this paragraph on page 8:
Think about this--if your vehicle gets 20 MPG, you're going to get 15 MPG when you run E85. On $3+/gal "gas".
I'm going to check with a mechanic bud of mine, but if this is correct, we'd better all get used to grabbing our ankles, because we're fixing to take it you know where.
I want my MTBE!
If I'm reading this right, E85 gives you 72% of the MPGs as gasoline (Page 9, Table 2). Criminy, you get 70% on pure ethanol.
This is somewhat confirmed by this paragraph on page 8:
Think about this--if your vehicle gets 20 MPG, you're going to get 15 MPG when you run E85. On $3+/gal "gas".
I'm going to check with a mechanic bud of mine, but if this is correct, we'd better all get used to grabbing our ankles, because we're fixing to take it you know where.
I want my MTBE!
north runner
Membership Revoked
E85...so who needs to go fast in Brazil? Supposedly with straight alcohol the compression in the cylinders could be raised to 15-1. Try that with gasoline. They would have to redesign big time 