Ethanol...Must read

Fla02LS

Fla02LS

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I previously stated that my car was kinda missing and i felt there was a coil going bad. After examination all coils and plugs are fine. Yesterday the news ran a story about ethanol in our local gas stations. Whether or not you've noticed the pumps (atleast in FL) say "contains 10% or less ethanol", which to me means they are probably using 9.9999% to get by legally. Well there were a bunch of stations tested around central FL and they found multiple stations that tested between 16-25% ethanol. They then interviewed some mechanics who said engine damage can occur at levels above 15% for cars made before 2007 which would include all LS's. It was also stated that the high ethanol would also ruin lawnmowers, weedeaters, etc. I usually fill up at one of three or four stations and i wonder if i have been filling with one of these high ethanol stations. Anyone with more mechanical knowledge than me think high ethanol content would create a psuedo misfire? Need to know whether to be pissed or not :D
 
Has your car been sitting a lot? Old gas that has extra ethanol in it can separate out if water gets in it.

I think one tank of 15%, the car wouldn't notice.

You checked your coils, right?
 
Sitting. Thats funny. I unfortunately drive around 500 miles a week which translates to around 26 gallons a week. I refill every three days so no it doesnt have the chance to separate. What makes me suspect is that i usually fill up at the same stations, so if by chance they are some of the stations jacking up their ethanol content then i am constantly refilling with high ethanol containing gas. Think i'm gonna start using random stations and see if it clears up, but dont like the thought of engine damage.
 
You know what, I once filled up at a different station and also felt some minor surging and loss of power, at certain throttle and load levels. I think it's possible.

I will give Shell a try next.
 
M4rk said:
You know what, I once filled up at a different station and also felt some minor surging and loss of power, at certain throttle and load levels. I think it's possible.

I will give Shell a try next.
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Exactly my symptoms. I usually go to a Racetrac or BP. Maybe "V-Power" is the way to go.
 
Idk if you have any Sunoco's where you are but the ones where I'm at are supposed to be Ethanol free. Worth a shot if you have any near you.
 
loomis22 said:
Idk if you have any Sunoco's where you are but the ones where I'm at are supposed to be Ethanol free. Worth a shot if you have any near you.
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Dont know if its a Florida thing but every pump i have been at has the "10% or less Ethanol" disclaimer. If there were a Ethanol free station i'd be there.
 
Really? Every station in your city in FL has ethanol?

There are both here, and the ones without clearly/proudly advertise the fact.
 
I want to hire the marketing genius that convinced people to buy Shell gasoline because it has Nitrogen in it.

In liquid form, N2 a surfactant is. In 150+ degree vapor, a surfactant, Nitrogen is. But in gasoline? I still can't figure out how the N2 vapor stays in the gasoline... and I didn't know gasoline temperatures rose to 150+ degrees in a car....
 
I just happen to have a shell next to the car wash that i always use.

Its literally two blocks away from my house so i always use it. I dont go out of my way to use shell but i havent had any issues or knock.
 
Andrizzle said:
Really? Every station in your city in FL has ethanol?

There are both here, and the ones without clearly/proudly advertise the fact.
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Yes, really. From what i have read its up to each state whether it has to post signs on the pumps regarding ethanol content. So you might be at a pump that isnt marked but still has ethanol. There is a website www.pure-gas.org that lists ethanol free stations, none in my area and even the ones listed dont all have 91+ octane. Another thing i just read, which sucks, is that not only does Florida require all pumps carry ethanol but they are wanting to legally up the content to 15%. What the hell is going on here? One news story and now i'm on this ethanol war. Never gave a second thought on the 10% sticker before. Another good read http://www.fuel-testers.com/state_guide_ethanol_laws.html
 
i've never noticed any power difference between 89 ethanol gas and 91 non ethanol gas in my mark, but i'm pretty sure i get better mileage with the 91 non ethanol.
 
The problems regarding ethanol content all focus on the possibility of the ethanol attacking some of the materials in the fuel system. There is no problem regarding the burning of the fuel. As Frog says, you won't get the same mileage with the mixed fuel as you will with straight gas.

KS
 
I've been ranting to my wife about this whole ethanol thing now. I swear i turn more anti-government everyday. I guess the reason for ethanol is basically for emissions and govt regulations. F*ck that and f*ck the ice caps and f*ck the polar bears. Actually no, the polar bears can stay, but all this Al Gore bullsh!t is getting crazy. Every group has an agenda and everyone's feelings need to be accounted for. F*ck that. Besides anti-govt i'm turning racist. Starting to hate EVERYONE. Reading about the possibilities of damage due to high ethanol in our cars irritates the hell out of me. As if the LS doesnt have enough issues. Every component that gas comes into contact with can get f*cked up... fuel line, injector, plugs, sensors and on and on. I understand its not gonna happen overnight but still. Stupid a$$ environmentalists. I swear the USA is turning into a bunch of pu$$ies quicker and quicker.
 
Fla02LS said:
I've been ranting to my wife about this whole ethanol thing now. I swear i turn more anti-government everyday. I guess the reason for ethanol is basically for emissions and govt regulations. F*ck that and f*ck the ice caps and f*ck the polar bears. Actually no, the polar bears can stay, but all this Al Gore bullsh!t is getting crazy. Every group has an agenda and everyone's feelings need to be accounted for. F*ck that. Besides anti-govt i'm turning racist. Starting to hate EVERYONE. Reading about the possibilities of damage due to high ethanol in our cars irritates the hell out of me. As if the LS doesnt have enough issues. Every component that gas comes into contact with can get f*cked up... fuel line, injector, plugs, sensors and on and on. I understand its not gonna happen overnight but still. Stupid a$$ environmentalists. I swear the USA is turning into a bunch of pu$$ies quicker and quicker.
Click to expand...

I feel your pain. The reason they are trying to pump up the percent of ethanol is because there's more money in it. It's made from corn. The majority of corn now is used to make ethanol(not animal feed like they want you to believe). The corn that is grown for ethanol is highly genetically modified. It's modified to produce much more than normal and the corn is not able to be used for seed. Growers of the seed must buy the seed every year. This corn is very devastating to the ground and requires a huge amount of inputs(fertilizer) to grow. The seed and fertilizer are sold buy the same company, Helena. Helena is a very powerful company and is quietly taking strong holds in certain markets(not just the US). The more ethanol that is needed the more they make. The government is fine with this as they are tied into it.

You noticed how the price of gas is about $3.50/gal(here in CA) but crude oil is less the $90/barrel but when it was over $150/barrel(a ~66% in increase) that gas was about $4.50/gal(a ~28% increase). The markup is coming from the cost of ethanol and our refineries cutting production to inflate out prices.

So basically we are getting :q:q:q:qed by our own people. Sound familiar?
 
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