Is Tygon fuel line really ethanol resistant ?

74-911 · 03-08-2013, 03:57 PM

I am seriously tired of replacing disintegrating fuel lines on 2 cycle edgers, blowers, chainsaws, etc etc. Over the last year or so I have replaced the lines on 6 different 2 cycle engines (mine, my neighbors, etc.). I am getting to be known as the go to guy for fuel line issues, a title I don't really want.

I have started using the Marine Stabil in the gas but not sure that will help and I don't have access to non-ethanol gas.

Anyone have any experience with Tygon fuel line? Depending on what you read it may or may not be ethanol resistant. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

flatbutt · 03-08-2013, 04:18 PM

I'd say it is OK with ethanol.

M.D. Holloway · 03-08-2013, 05:25 PM

Lots of different types of Tygon - you should be ok
Tygon® LP1100 Fuel Tubing | Flexible Tubing | Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Process Systems

cashflyer · 05:52 PM

It is slightly more ethanol resistant than I am.

This chart shows Tygon as "unacceptable" for use with ethanol, and all alcohols in general.
http://www.processsystems.saint-gobain.com/uploadedFiles/SGPPL-PS/Documents/Phthalate_Free/ChemResistProp-Tygon%281%29.pdf

The LP1100 that Lubemaster pointed to has a liner that is ethanol compatible (most likely teflon).

pwd72s · 07:32 PM

Don't know where you live, but in many states non alcohol gas is sold in Marinas...
I found a source for 92 octane no alcohol...costs about 30 cents per gallon more than gasahol...while yielding about 10% better mpg. Of course, I use nothing but no alcohol in my small engine stuff.

(edit) If you're near an airstrip with small plane traffic, they probably sell "100LL"...that's 100 0ctane, low lead, no alcohol. A pilot friend told me no alcohol in av gas for fear of the alcohol absorbing water that can freeze at higher altitudes.

M.D. Holloway · 03-09-2013, 02:59 AM

Actually, many companies use alcohol as a fuel additive to lower operating temperature of fuel. Common but dangerous practice.

Alcohol has a much lower freezing point than water yet blends real will. The mixture drives down the temperture of crystalization of the water.

Fuel experience flow issues as the temperature decreases. There are four main properties that occur as fuel temperature is lowered - these happen more with diesel than gas:
Cloud Point - The temperature at which wax first begins to drop out of fuel as the temperature is lowered.
Freeze Point - The temperature at which the last portion of wax, after it has begun to drop out, will re-melt and dissolve as the fuel is warmed.
Pour Point - The temperature at which the entire fuel becomes immobile due to wax solidifying throughout the entire liquid phase.
Cold Flow Plugging Point (CFPP) – the temperature at which the flow through a specific sized filter is impeded.

Alcohol may also look to dissolve the wax portions to a point to impede formation. several theories abound.

Many non-alcohol additives work by co-crystallize out either with or just before and then with the wax as the fuel is cooled, disrupting the wax crystal formation, causing only very small wax crystals to form and prevent large plate-shaped wax crystals that plug fuel lines from forming. The performance can be fuel-dependent.

Funny, I just got done explaining this very thing to a customer in Timmons Canada

romad · romad's Garage

Tygon is very chemical resistance even for ethanols, problem in engine application is heat and UV exposer. Soon as it hardens some and discolors replace.

mreid · 03-09-2013, 10:15 AM

How about using this:

BING ALCOHOL RESISTANTFUEL LINE from Aircraft Spruce

74-911 · 03-10-2013, 04:47 AM

Appreciate the responses. The OP was mostly a minor rant and wondering what the coming 15% ethanol is going to do to fuel lines? Between the various sizes of fuel line needed and the small quantities I would use I will probably just use what I can get locally as the lines seem to last a couple of years.

I don't really have easy access to av gas and the nearest marina is is probably a 2 hour round trip so not really worth the expense to go there.

thanks again,

M.D. Holloway · 03-10-2013, 05:01 AM

ethanol does a nice job on paints, glue (that holds filter media together) and various other essential materials found in and around a car. One area that I am not sure the powers that be have thought about to any real extent is the effect of the blend on the oil film on the rings. Ethanol brings a whole host of interesting chemicals reactions to a long list of dynamics at play.

Don't even mention FAME (fatty acid methyl esters) aka biodiesel. Great parts washer solvent...does a great job at breaking down petro-chemicals and isn't a fan of epoxy resins which bind fiberglass...

KNS · 03-10-2013, 11:13 AM

Even with 15% Ethanol, I believe they still have to sell 10% ETOH because they've determined that cars made before 1995 (?) will have problems with the 15% stuff. Pumps will have to be labeled 10% and 15% and then the consumer decides which to put in their car.

pwd72s · 03-10-2013, 12:01 PM

Gasahol...brought to you by Congress. The same fine folks who manage everything well.

74-911 · 03-10-2013, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Gasahol...brought to you by Congress. The same fine folks who manage everything well.

How true. 10% ethanol makes no sense if you look at the true cost/benefit of it and 15%? Well the Iowa caucus and most of the farm lobbies will love it... everyone else can just bend over.

BoxsterGT · 03-21-2013, 12:04 PM

The Multi-Fuel hose from Germany I use for my hose assys will handle even E-85 fuel. I can sell it in any length you would like up to 20 Meters. I stock two sizes; 7.5mm ID and 9.5mm ID.

Please email me if I can help.

Len at Autosportengineering dot com

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by 74-911

How true. 10% ethanol makes no sense if you look at the true cost/benefit of it and 15%? Well the Iowa caucus and most of the farm lobbies will love it... everyone else can just bend over.

And this is why I bought 2 diesel vehicles...

tonytiger · 08-16-2015, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashflyer

It is slightly more ethanol resistant than I am.

This chart shows Tygon as "unacceptable" for use with ethanol, and all alcohols in general.
http://www.processsystems.saint-gobain.com/uploadedFiles/SGPPL-PS/Documents/Phthalate_Free/ChemResistProp-Tygon%281%29.pdf

The LP1100 that Lubemaster pointed to has a liner that is ethanol compatible (most likely teflon).

That same chart shows tygon being unacceptable for gasoline. I don't think that is the fuel line tygon. There are numerous types. Temp rating is sort of low, though.

tonytiger · 08-16-2015, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

Actually, many companies use alcohol as a fuel additive to lower operating temperature of fuel. Common but dangerous practice.

Alcohol has a much lower freezing point than water yet blends real will. The mixture drives down the temperture of crystalization of the water.

Funny, I just got done explaining this very thing to a customer in Timmons Canada

Ethanol is commonly used in winter formulated gas. It makes the engine start quicker. It also CAN drastically lower your mileage, depending on the car you have. Same for the E10 gas (10% ethanol) which does not really lower hydrocarbon emissions when you take into account the fact it lowers your mileage and you have to burn more of it to achieve the same effect. E10 lowers CO2 while raising O1 or Ozone, which is worse for the environment than CO2.