Ethanol in the gasoline.

[mscromer]

I live in Dallas/Fort Worth area and all the gas stations are converting over to the 10% Ethanol mixed gasoline. It looks like within the next month, that is all you are going to be able to buy in this area. The Ethanol people claim it burns cooler(less wear and tear on the engine) and they claim it has a higher octane rating of about 2 to 3 points. Is any one else facing this in their area? And my main question is how are our cars going to run on this stuff? Anyone know more about this Ethanol stuff rather than what the ethanol people tell us?

[checkermel]

I have a friend that owns several Ethanol plants here in the midwest. He has ran his trucks on 50% Ethanol mix before and said it made the check engine light come on. But they ran fine.

I have only seen it available at 89 octane locally, which is too low for a 944 so I have never used it. My girlfriends Aurora with a Northstar 32-valve engine runs fine on 10% 89 Octane Ethanol.

I can't imagine ALL the gas in the area will be Ethanol mix?

[yellowline]

All our stations in CT use 10% ethanol, and the car runs fine on 87. It does slowly eat rubber gas lines, though.

[Eldorado]

89 octane isn't too low for a 944. it's made for 87 (in north america).

[BananaClip]

ah crap

will it be cheaper at least?

[mscromer]

Originally posted by BananaClip
ah crap

will it be cheaper at least?

Thats the strange part of the whole thing, They(the ethanol people) claim its suppose to be cheaper, but around where I live its costing the same, and the worst part, you get less gas mileage. How does this make since. They cut the gas with ethanol so we don't need as much gas but we now have to fill up more often cause our gas mileage is less.

[Razorback1980]

I would tell you my thoughts, but it would get into politics and phrases like "stupidest people on earth" would come out and nothing good would come from it. So I'm just going to say that it's frustrating. Time to write your congressman I think.

[checkermel]

10% Ethanol in the midwest is about 8-10 cents cheaper than same octane 100% gas. Usaully. We still have both available at the pumps.

The whole Ethanol thing is still a huge debate. It's good for the midwest since we produce the corn used (not like Sweet Corn!). Even having a friend that owns 3 plants I tend to stay out of the debate....

But yeah, I would agree... why would you pay the same? That makes no sense at all. I think it's the gas company stickin it to ya, not the Ethanol guys?? Dunno? It's suppose to be cheaper, that was the whole idea and that it does burn cleaner too.

[Eldorado]

And now you know why....

[legion]

ADM is driving up the price of ethanol...much like they did with Lysine in the 90's...

Ethanol can break down some of the seals/hoses in the fuel system--especially older vehicles--over time.

[pokey]

In some areas, all gas wil have some ethanol to oxygenate it. Now that MTBE has been banned. I seem to remember that the owners manual said you can run ethanol blends up tto a certain percentage, but I don't recall how much.

[mscromer]

Originally posted by pokey
I seem to remember that the owners manual said you can run ethanol blends up to a certain percentage, but I don't recall how much.

Are you talking the Porsche 944 owners manual? If so, I have one, I'll check it out.

[pokey]

Yup.

[BananaClip]

Gasolines containing ethanol
A mixture of unleaded gasoline and ethanol (ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol) is sold in some areas. This mixture is sometimes called "Gasohol". You may use gasohol in your Porsche, provided it contains no more than 10% ethanol, and the octane requirements for your vehicle are met. However, we strongly recommend to switch back to gasoline without ethanol, if you experience any of the following problems with your vehicle:
• Deterioration of driveability and performance.
• Substantially reduced fuel economy.
• Vapor lock and non-start problems, especially at high altitude or at high temperatures.
• Engine malfunction or stalling.
Continued use of gasohol under these con-
ditions may cause costly damage to the fuel
system and the emission control system of
your vehicle.

yay for html owners manual

[Black968]

Have been running Sunoco 94 Octane with 10% ethanol for a few years now in my 968 with good power and no problems. However, I went to fill up today. 80 liters x 1.229 per liter (4.05 USD per US Gallon) = $ 98.32 Cdn. Houston, now we have a problem

[Eldorado]

the 968 has an 80L tank??? *jaw drops*

[anotherblack944]

Originally posted by checkermel
10% Ethanol in the midwest is about 8-10 cents cheaper than same octane 100% gas. Usaully. We still have both available at the pumps.

Don't know what "midwest" you live in but I'm thinking of moving there!

Here it's the same overinflated price for everything and the state is talking making ethanol blend mandatory for all stations statewide. Quite a few have starting posting big "NO Ethanol" signs. Those are the only places I will stop.

I was told by my yard power tool guy to NEVER use it in a small engine. If it will mess up a lawnmower why would you even think of putting it in a Porsche? "Corrosive", oh yeah that's a comforting thought too!

[Eldorado]

ethanol has a neutral pH rating... pure water is more acidic than ethanol.. but it is somewhat corrosive to *some* rubbers.. however, any cars made within the last 15-20 years should be alright and free of those rubbers. ethanol also usually only negatively affects cars with carbs.

that said.. the owners manual said it's cool... and there's obviously a tollerance built into that.. so using 10% eth in your gas shouldn't do a stitch of damage.

[anotherblack944]

Originally posted by Eldorado
however, any cars made within the last 15-20 years should be alright and free of those rubbers.

And yours & mine are how old?

[Eldorado]

Originally posted by anotherblack944
And your & mine are how old?

I didn't intend to imply that was the cut off.. Just that at that point, the vast majority of cars on the road were safe. the quote from the owners manual, written directly by porsche, who designed and built these cars, confirms to me that the gas line is free of these rubbers, so I'm not worried in the slightest.