E10 fuel pros/cons...
 

I live in Austin, TX and drive a slightly modified '83 SC. We have been informed by the media recently that E10 fuel will begin distribution here within the next few weeks. I have been on other forums and the consensus is that E10 can be bad for older vehicles (if not driven very regularly). I also own a classic Chevrolet and Harley Davidson so this E10 fuel will effect those as well. I see that Sta-Bil has a marine product additive for ethanol based fuels. Any experience or comments on E10 fuel and whether it is safe to run in the Porsche CIS fuel system? Thanks in advance...

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more octane (if not blended with low octane gasoline)
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Engine goes slightly leaner if not equipped with lambda (but it's usually OK)

Keep a spare fuel filter handy in case the E-10 pulls the rust and dirt from the tank and lines.

I had a hot start problem for a while after getting a tank of gas with E-10 and it took a few tanks of regular UL and Techron to get back to normal.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=385016&highlight=ethanol

Current thinking seems to be that you will be OK w/ CIS if your fuel is less than 15% ethanol. I've used a 10% blend (Sunoco 94 Gold here) for at least 15 years. The only CIS problem I had was recently, and it was almost certainly not fuel related.

You might see a drop in your fuel mileage by about 10%. It would be interesting if you keep track of that and let us know.

We've been using state-mandated E10 here in Colorado for about 2 decades. The manual says up to 10% ethanol is safe.

We have had it for years in Houtson. No issues. I run Chevron Permium only...

There's never been anything else in my SC since I rebuilt it about five years ago--E10 is mandated in New York. (I have PMOs and a fuel cell.)

Recently I shot a BassMasters fishing tournament where the Sta-Bil folks had a display set up and I asked the rep about using it in my SC. He told me that it really only helps if you are storing the car, like over the Winter..... seemed odd to me, but that's what the man said.

Well, that's what it's for. It stabilizes the fuel, as the name says--doesn't allow it to deteriorate. It doesn't make it better, or higher-octane or anything. I use it in chainsaws, lawnmowers and snow-throwers.

Sta-Bil will clean out the gunk in your fuel tank??? That's a claim I've never heard.

The marine stabil, which is blue, is different than the red version, and is said to be beneficial in counteracting the negative effects of ethanol in fuel. It is an additive for regular use and not specifically for storage like the red stuff. It is about 3 times more expensive than the red stuff. I just got some at Pep Boys, but have not used it yet.

not the sta-bil....the ethanol is what will break down the gunk in your system

sta-bil good e10 bad

Not to hijack this, BUT,... do you suppose this would work for people???????????

:) :) :) :)

It is my understanding that the Blue Marine Stabil has significantly more corrosion inhibitor which is why it is better for regular use in cars that run E10.

Curious....why is ethanol more harmful to CIS than other fuel delivery systems?

Two reasons:

1) Ethanol attacks elastomers (rubber) in the fuel system. Any rubber part in contact with the fuel thats not Viton suffers degradation and sooner or later, thats an expensive problem.

2) Ethanol is hygroscopic. Moisture absorbed by ethanol-laden fuel will corrode any ferrous parts in the fuel system and the Fuel Distributors are particularly vulnerable.

The constant use of Stabil will help forestall problems. Further, keep the tank full anytime the car is stored to minimize condensation.

Just to make sure I understand, as I'm not that familiar with the parts in a CIS car, you're saying that CIS has more of these rubber and ferrous parts, and that's why CIS is more vulnerable to ethanol than EFI, MFI and carbs?

Perfect written.
We've had it for a decade in Sweden 5% during the winter.
A lot of people are converting to E85 since it's classified as enviromental friendly.

Eats and detoriates rubber, fuel lines.
The fuel pump plastics in my 1966 fuel pump embritteled.
Disolves a lot of old "gue"
No stories from here that CIS are more sensitive.
About rust I think they add inhibitors in Sweden.

But now new fuel lines and so on are resistant to Ethanol.

If its a CIS it must be a couple of years so it might be time to change fuellines clean gastank and so on anyway.

btw bio diesel contamination in regular diesel is a growing problem.

I'd carefully inspect the fuel line and return line rubber parts at the fuel pump. These are very prone to failure in the older cars.