Ethanol Free Gas!

[EatenByLimestone]

For giggles I checked the ethanol free gas stations in the area and found a new one about a quarter mile from my house!

Woohoo!

I don't know the price, but for the little I run through the chainsaw, weedwaker and outboard I can spring for the extra cash.

Matt

 

[dougand3]

Good score! Around here, 87 Oct 100% gas is a quarter more/gal. 93 Oct 100% gas is a dollar more/gal. I run 87 in 5hp - 18hp mowers. Run 93 in 2 strokes.

 

[Spikem]

I checked out a gas station somewhat near me in Mass and it's $70 a 5 gallon container.

Is it just me or is that price high?

 

[BrotherBart]

Too expensive and won't be around much longer anyway.

(broken link removed to http://blog.gasbuddy.com/posts/Ethanol-free-gasoline-disappearing-fast/1715-547391-1934.aspx)

 

[TreePointer]

I wonder if it will disappear around marinas. Boaters seem to despise the stuff more than the rest of us.

It's time to write a some pointed letters to my Congress-critters.

 

[velvetfoot]

EatenByLimestone Minister of Fire Joined:Jul 12, 2006Messages:4,208NewFor giggles I checked the ethanol free gas stations in the area and found a new one about a quarter mile from my house!

May I ask if you could post the link?

 

[dougand3]

Here's one. http://pure-gas.org/

 

[EatenByLimestone]

That was the site.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I wonder if it will disappear around marinas. Boaters seem to despise the stuff more than the rest of us.

It's time to write a some pointed letters to my Congress-critters.

Only because it really sucks when it absorbs water and leaves you in the middle of a lake. It happened to me once with my outboard. Lucky for me I always have oars in the boat. Unfortunately I was about 4 miles up the lake and there were lots of biting flies out that day.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I've also heard of it dissolving some fiberglass gas tanks. I haven't seen or known anybody this has happened to though.

 

[velvetfoot]

Thanks.
I had to disassemble and clean carb (a first) on a leaf blower over the weekend.

 

[DanCorcoran]

The only ethanol-free I've found is 87 octane and my Stihl takes 89 octane, so I went with the ethanol. Figured that was better than 87 octane without ethanol. Thoughts?

 

[dougand3]

The only ethanol-free I've found is 87 octane and my Stihl takes 89 octane, so I went with the ethanol. Figured that was better than 87 octane without ethanol. Thoughts?

The few old tiny carbs I've cleaned have been varnished and gummed badly. I think this is more ethanol than old gas. Your Stihl should run better with the 89 oct that it calls for. And you may do well with E-10 ethanol gas for years. I really dislike ethanol in these tiny carbs, tho. One option is 87 pure gas and octane booster from AZ, Advance, Oreillys or online-Lucas and Amsoil have it. They raise octane # 1-2 points.

 

[clemsonfor]

But those octane boasts are alcohol as well and can increase cylinder temps. Use at your own risk!

 

[dougand3]

The kind called Oxygenates are alcohol and ether - avoid those. The more suitable kinds are Aromatics or Organo-metallics. Read the label carefully. And check your saw manual to see if they discourage octane boosters.

 

[Bad Wolf]

Here's one. http://pure-gas.org/

I like the way Connecticut is a lone island awash in a sea of ethanol-free gas stations. I'll sleep better knowing I'm protected from the ravages of this insidious substance.

 

[DanCorcoran]

Just remember, ethanol has nothing to do with the environment or climate change, it has to do with agribusiness that finds growing corn to be quite lucrative, and with farm state legislators who like campaign contributions from agribusiness. YMMV....

 

[velvetfoot]

Yeah, ymmv, with ethanol?

 

[mikey517]

Well, that pure has site got my hopes up, then had them dashed!! I believe that New Jersey is a TOTALLY E10 state, so imaging my joy when I saw one station listed - a BP where I happen to gas up 90% of the time. So, off I go, buy a new 5 gallon container and fill it with regular. Nothing added.

I perform the simple water test by filling a water bottle and marking with a Sharpie, then adding gas at about a 10:1 ratio. Then shake. I knew before even letting it sit that there was ethanol in the gas as it clouded up real fast.
So, how do I correct that site before others flock there thinking they've found Nirvana??

Pic below (I hope)

The gas on top has a green tint? I don't know why, but the clear bottom is the water +

 

[TreePointer]

Bummer.

There is no good reason for having ethanol in gasoline.

 

[MofoG23]

TreePointer - FYI. There is a place in Mars PA (right off 228) that sells ethanol free gas.



Confirmation from Purvis....they recently found another supplier.

"We are still selling our "EZer0 89" ethanol free gasoline. We carry it all year long. If you have any questions feel free to call us at 724-625-6770"

 

[TreePointer]

TreePointer - FYI. There is a place in Mars PA (right off 228) that sells ethanol free gas.



Confirmation from Purvis....they recently found another supplier.

"We are still selling our "EZer0 89" ethanol free gasoline. We carry it all year long. If you have any questions feel free to call us at 724-625-6770"

Hmm, that is getting much closer to where I am. Thanks!

 

[Corey]

Silly me, I've been getting 10% ethanol gas, or ADDING it if the gas doesn't have it. Consider:

1) You're running the 'water bottle' test the wrong way. Fill the bottle with gas and add a teaspoon of water. This simulates what happens as your saw cycles hot/cold/hot (or sits unused for a while) and moisture from the air gets in the tank. If the gas has alcohol, the water is held in suspension where it can be burned harmlessly in the engine. If the gas has no alcohol, the water goes straight to the bottom of the bottle and sits there. This equals a rusty gas tank or a dead engine depending on when the slug of water gets sucked into the carb.

2) Ethanol destroys varnish. If you don't believe me, pour some alcohol on a nice piece of finished woodwork! A little ethanol helps keep varnish from building up in the carb...especially in tools which sit for a while. This past winter we had a slug of 'real gas' in a generator at work. After several months sitting I tried to start it, but no luck...it wouldn't run. Tore down the carb and it was loaded with varnish. I decided to try the much talked about 'Chevron Techron', but it wouldn't touch the stuff even after soaking a couple of hours. I grabbed a bottle of ethanol out of the chemical cabinet and it literally dissolved the varnish as I was pouring it on the parts.

3) If the fuel is breaking down in storage, it's the gasoline not the ethanol. I have a few bottles of whiskey on the shelf well into their second decade of life and they are as good or better than when they started out. I'd like to see anyone burn 20 year old gasoline!

3) Likewise, I have some cheap booze on the shelf for when friends come over and I just want to get rid of them. It's in clear plastic bottles which are perfectly fine even after years of contact with 40+% ethanol. If a low end / rot-gut booze manufacturer can make a disposable plastic bottle which is fine in 40% ethanol, surely any company worth 2 cents can make a saw and engine parts to withstand 10%.

4) "There is no good reason for having ethanol in gasoline" - I certainly agree with that! With ethanol being well over 100 octane, they shouldn't blend it with 87, 89 or even 91 'premium' crapolene. It should be saved for uses where high power is needed in a light weight package and/or people want a clean burning high performance fuel tolerant of a wide range of heat/moisture conditions.

 

[DanCorcoran]

Silly me, I've been getting 10% ethanol gas, or ADDING it if the gas doesn't have it. Consider:

1) You're running the 'water bottle' test the wrong way. Fill the bottle with gas and add a teaspoon of water. This simulates what happens as your saw cycles hot/cold/hot (or sits unused for a while) and moisture from the air gets in the tank. If the gas has alcohol, the water is held in suspension where it can be burned harmlessly in the engine. If the gas has no alcohol, the water goes straight to the bottom of the bottle and sits there. This equals a rusty gas tank or a dead engine depending on when the slug of water gets sucked into the carb.

2) Ethanol destroys varnish. If you don't believe me, pour some alcohol on a nice piece of finished woodwork! A little ethanol helps keep varnish from building up in the carb...especially in tools which sit for a while. This past winter we had a slug of 'real gas' in a generator at work. After several months sitting I tried to start it, but no luck...it wouldn't run. Tore down the carb and it was loaded with varnish. I decided to try the much talked about 'Chevron Techron', but it wouldn't touch the stuff even after soaking a couple of hours. I grabbed a bottle of ethanol out of the chemical cabinet and it literally dissolved the varnish as I was pouring it on the parts.

3) If the fuel is breaking down in storage, it's the gasoline not the ethanol. I have a few bottles of whiskey on the shelf well into their second decade of life and they are as good or better than when they started out. I'd like to see anyone burn 20 year old gasoline!

3) Likewise, I have some cheap booze on the shelf for when friends come over and I just want to get rid of them. It's in clear plastic bottles which are perfectly fine even after years of contact with 40+% ethanol. If a low end / rot-gut booze manufacturer can make a disposable plastic bottle which is fine in 40% ethanol, surely any company worth 2 cents can make a saw and engine parts to withstand 10%.

4) "There is no good reason for having ethanol in gasoline" - I certainly agree with that! With ethanol being well over 100 octane, they shouldn't blend it with 87, 89 or even 91 'premium' crapolene. It should be saved for uses where high power is needed in a light weight package and/or people want a clean burning high performance fuel tolerant of a wide range of heat/moisture conditions.

Loc: Midwest

A corn-producing farm state, perhaps?

 

[EatenByLimestone]

That or he doesn't have a fiberglass fuel tank in his boat.

To each their own I guess. I'd rather be without ethanol.