Quote:
Originally Posted by matthewb0051
I had Weber carbs on my car when I lived in Hawaii. The ethanol crap was horrible for the carbs.
|
Yeah, ethanol should definitely be avoided on older cars that don't have the fuel system components designed to handle it.
Ethanol is highly corrosive, hydroscopic, less energy-dense, and provides less "lubricity" for fuel pumps, sending units, etc.
It does provide and octane boost to low-octane bases, and runs cooler. So, when used in the extreme (E85, etc.) it can be beneficial for specific-use applications (high-comp. turbos, etc.).
Tuners like E85 which has a relative octane rating well above 100, as they can push the tuning limits where efficiency, reliability, and service intervals are not primary concerns.
Though, it can also present the same unwanted effects of low-octane fuel, via pre-ignition.
So, for everyday use on a non flex-fuel or "tuner" car/engine, I'd pick the non-alcohol option every time, especially within the same octane rating and/or if the ethanol percentage is over 10%. YMMV, literally...