Ethanol damage to fuel tank and other parts | FerrariChat

Ethanol damage to fuel tank and other parts

Discussion in '308/328' started by Gino328, Dec 6, 2020.

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  1. Gino328

    Gino328 Rookie

    Jun 21, 2020
    17
    Full Name:
    Joe Watson
    There appears to be accumulating evidence that ethanol damages fuel tanks of older cars and various hoses and gaskets. I think the fuel distributor and fuel pressure regulator in the 308/328 may also be susceptible. Do any of you have any experience with fuel stabilizers/ethanol blocking agents, like the ones from Sta-bil or VP racing?


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  2. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
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    Aug 7, 2012
    3,322
    Tallahassee, FL
    We use BG fuel additives for customer cars (Honda), with no ill effects. They definitely minimize the ethanol/water separation and help it combust.
     
    built2grind likes this.
  3. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,143
    Houston, Texas
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    Bubba
    From the Doctor of Fuel at Shell: "BURN the gas!!"
    They don't even store it in Labs, outside refrigeration.

    So, for the metal tanks, fill the level up and down at least bi weekly even on undriven cars.
    This moves the boundary layer, and remixes the fuel.
    All rubber compnonemts on carbed cars are long overdue for upgrade to tolerant lines and bladders.

    The injected cars actually use plastic for the injection lines I believe??
     
    ragtop1 likes this.
  4. pappy.72

    pappy.72 Formula Junior

    Nov 13, 2010
    516
    Elgin, IL
    Full Name:
    Dave
  5. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
    6,685
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    Mike 996
    I use Stabil in all my cars/motos (including my 328) for storage periods of up to 7 months using normal (10% ethanol) gas. They start after that period as if running yesterday.

    My 328 has been stored from 4-7 months every year I have owned it since 2008. No issues at all with the ethanol gas.
     
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  6. kcabpilot

    kcabpilot Formula 3

    Apr 17, 2014
    1,527
    California SF bay area
    Full Name:
    Paul
    Yea, we have to be careful with this sort of stuff. It's like the ZDDP thing, I've been waiting about 12 years now to see the mountains of destroyed camshafts that never showed up, We know that ethanol has detrimental effects on certain types of rubber and that it mixes with water. The latter is probably not so bad as it's better to have the water absorbed and run through the engine than sitting as a permanent blob at the bottom of your tank. I'm pretty sure nobody makes fuel hoses anymore that are susceptible to ethanol deterioration. Overall I don't think it's anywhere near as dire as the people who sell additives would have you believe.

    Now for long term storage, with or without ethanol yes, you need to take some action to stabilize the fuel.
     
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  7. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    Well said......^^^^^
     
  8. waymar

    waymar Formula 3

    Sep 2, 2008
    1,321
    Northeast, PA - USA
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    Wayne Martin
    FWIW.... In Northeast PA the ethanol free 91 gasoline is becoming more popular. Price is fair and below premium pricing.
     
  9. smg2

    smg2 F1 World Champ
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    Apr 1, 2004
    15,476
    Dumpster Fire #31
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    SMG
    Ethanol fuel is a problem for CIS. Also a problem for rubber fuel lines. I think the only fuel lines that handle it without issue are the teflon lined ones.

    CIS fuel distributor has internal parts that corrode when ethanol sits, just ask ol Larry of flow tech.

    Best advice as noted, drive and drive regularly. Or go find ethanol free.

    I also think the water problem is bigger the closer one is to the coast or in high humidity. Always fighting water in the tank here on the cali coast, course CA fuel is worse then crap...
     
  10. kiwiokie

    kiwiokie Formula 3

    Aug 19, 2013
    1,455
    Tulsa, OK
    Full Name:
    John McDermott
    Why is ethanol still being blended into gasoline? Anyone know? I thought this was a push by the Obama administration but there was much debate at the time about false economies and the potential impact on food prices so I am surprised it has lasted. This is not a political question. Ethanol-free gas is quite common in Oklahoma so perhaps it is a state mandate?


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  11. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    May 4, 2001
    35,288
    Birmingham, AL
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    $
     
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  12. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
    10,631
    CT
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    John Kreskovsky
    I seldom drive my 308 anymore. Last year maybe 200 miles, year before maybe 100. It sit most of the time with E10 in the partially filled tank. E10 has been the only fuel in CT for as long as I can remember now, at least 14 years, maybe longer. Every spring I get int he car, turn the key and start it. Take it out for a short drive before changing the oil. Not once in those 14 years, or in the 35 years I've owned the car, has it ever failed to start and run correctly. In fact the only problems I have ever experienced were due to bad ignition wires, a bad rotor and a shot battery. I don't use and fuel additives ever.
     
  13. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 11, 2004
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    CT
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    In some states oxygenated fuel are mandated for air quality. Ethanol replaced MBTE additive, due to ground water contamination concerns of MBTE, to oxygenate gas so there are fewer hydrocarbon emissions.
     
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  14. Sigmacars

    Sigmacars Formula Junior
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    Jul 19, 2006
    943
    Toronto
    I only use 91 Ethanol free gas for the last 10 years in my 328 very easy to find at shell here in Canada,no need to fill up before storage.
     
  15. JCR

    JCR F1 Veteran
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    Mar 14, 2005
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    H-Town, Tejas
  16. 328PWC

    328PWC Formula Junior
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    Mar 5, 2011
    679
    Naples, FL
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    Paul Cissell
    Been using VP racing C9 gasoline for ten years. Although expensive at $8.00 gallon, the expense does not exceed the cost of having fouled injectors, gas tank and fuel lines issues that may occur with ethanol gas.

    A number of south Florida owners have been using C9 for years.

    https://vpracingfuels.com/product/c9/?c=217
     
  17. pappy.72

    pappy.72 Formula Junior

    Nov 13, 2010
    516
    Elgin, IL
    Full Name:
    Dave
    They say you should still store a car with a full tank to reduce the moisture build up in the gas tank.
     
  18. daynyc

    daynyc Karting
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    Aug 5, 2016
    79
    Especially in light of recent national events, I'm trying to steer clear of controversy. I have owned interesting old sports cars for over 45 years. My 1985 QV is actually my newest. I too waited, and waited, and waited with apprehension for the negative effects of ethanol, but have never encountered them. (That's not to say that I know they never occur on certain cars.) I also have used silicone brake fluid, in a variety of vehicles, with tremendous success, since 1976, so feel free to discount anything I say.
    While I don't consider it necessary, I think anyone who wants to pay $14 a gallon for gas absolutely has the right to do so. Even though I live where gas prices are high, I'm truly enjoying $3 a gallon.
     
  19. ginoBBi512

    ginoBBi512 F1 Rookie
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    Oct 9, 2016
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    GINO RUGGIERO
    I run 101 octane in my 328 and have for the last several years, I can get it at the pump 1/2 mile from my house, of course if Im on a long drive, I will fill up with 91. With that being said, I drive my car all year long, It never sits for more than a few weeks. I dont think they put ethanol in 101 race gas .

    Thank you,
     
  20. EP328

    EP328 Formula Junior
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    Sep 3, 2008
    616
    Northern California
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    Ed
    Ethanol has an octane rating of 114. Race gas can have methanol or ethanol.
     
  21. NYC Fred

    NYC Fred F1 Veteran
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    Sep 28, 2010
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    Fred C
    Corn lobby $$$
     
  22. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
    6,685
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    Mike 996
    Funny, we used to regularly add ethanol additive ("Gas Drier") to combat any moisture in the gas; now people complain because they don't have to... ;)
     
  23. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
    79,143
    Houston, Texas
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    Bubba
    Well, corn can be grown, and you have to drill for gas....

    Bottom line, because we have Laws and the Feds are propping up the $$ to the corn industry.
     
  24. ferrariowner

    ferrariowner Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2014
    1,109
    Mansfield, TX
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    Ron
    Don't forget we use oil (products) to fertilize the corn.
     
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  25. JCR

    JCR F1 Veteran
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    Mar 14, 2005
    9,992
    H-Town, Tejas
    Or none at all.
     

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