FYI - Ethanol

[capt_nemo]

SMITH,

WOW, can't even trust the fuel pumps these days.

Thanks for the heads up John.

capt_nemo

[BruceW]

Mallard Station across the river from New Bern has a "mid-grade" that is ethanol free. Less expensive than replacing the fuel line or getting a carb job. Another one up the road toward Raleigh doesn't have it, but the next one after that does. I guess the way to think of it is the first one and the last one either way have the non-ethanol.

A station in Cary called Dolphins, on 55 has non-ethanol gas also.

Sea Foam in each batch I buy. Usually, what I do is get 2 gallons at a time, and treat it with sea foam. If it gets over 2 months old, I pour it into my car's tank, and get new again. I just do it, I don't know how long it would last, but I don't want to find out.

[Pat M]

I guess I'm very fortunate to live in Morehead, NC.  We have several stations that sell non-ethanol gasoline.  I only use non-ethanol gas and add marine stabilizer in my Honda 5Hp.  Haven't had the motor long enough to comment on its reliability but when I lived in NY I had a honda snowblower that was extremely reliable just like my honda cars and motorcycles.  Thanks John Smith for the heads up on the gas stations selling ethanol gas labeled ethanol free.  If anyone does have a test kit and finds such a station make sure that you notify the local authorities immediately.

[Dave]

Just venting.  Ethanol has been around for a long time.  The problem is well known, so why haven't the manufacturers solved it?  Why have I never seen an instruction manual that says do not use ethanol?  And E15 should make matters worse.

[brackish]

Just venting.  Ethanol has been around for a long time.  The problem is well known, so why haven't the manufacturers solved it?  Why have I never seen an instruction manual that says do not use ethanol?  And E15 should make matters worse.

I could answer that but won't.  It would go political way too fast.  Just ask yourself who benefits financially from it, what lobby is pushing it.  It is absolutely not necessary.

[SMITH]

Let me repeat my earlier warning.  If burning ethanol free gasoline is important to you in your thousand plus dollar engine (vs. simply using an additive to minimize ethanol's negative effects), invest in a <$20 ethanol test kit.  Of the six ethanol related insurance claims I've investigated, three of the gasoline dealers were selling ethanol laden gasoline.  Test first before you buy.
John Smith
SMITH Marine Survey Inc.
Sheldon, SC