ethanol-free fuel

I have a 575. Use 2/3 91 etoh free with 1/3 9% 100 octane race gas(cam 2). Otherwise I use the highest octane with ethanol (usually 93) I can find. Can't tell any difference. Just hope its easier on the tank,lines etc. However I also use no etoh 91 in various other engines. If it has a carb it runs like you put in a new stronger motor. Use it in a tractor,snow blower,chain saw,weed wacker,generator etc. The non computer controlled engines just can't adjust for a leaner etoh mix. Let alone the damage running hot,corrosion,seal break down etc. Gts Bruce

 

Keep in mind that octane decreases the potential for detonation. It is not a more potent fuel. If your car does not ping...or does not have knock sensors, then increasing octane is of no help. If it does have knock sensors, then "premium" fuel allows the ECU to advance timing. That is what provides the perception/reality of more power output. Not sure what the 456, 550 or 575 engines have in that department. I found out my Aston Martin V12s do not even have knock sensors, and I now often run 87 or 89 octane ethanol-free "regular". No problems. No knock. Same smooth power. Have not tried this with the 550 yet...

 

BTW - ethanol IS detrimental. It kills the rubber on 456 and 550 fuel pumps. Thus the reason why so many of these cars are refitted with new pumps, etc. Jay Leno recently wrote on this topic in Autoweek. It's pure government pandering to the farm lobby that has this toxic substance in our motor fuel...

 

I am not sure if US spec cars have a computer that adjust the timing so it is suitable fir 91 Octane?
In Europe I used to run my sports cars on 98 Octane fuel. No Ethanol was mixed in as far as I know. We like to drink the stuff, not burn it in our motors......
Here in Cayman the best I can get is 93 Octane. Without Ethanol , but I am not 100% sure.
My Mercedes ( UK spec) has a weird "hesitation" in the lower rev range when cold and my German spec 575 the same.
Not sure if it is the fuel or the humidity?

 

Ethanol-free gas seems to be more available than it was before, at least locally here in PNW.

For those who want to buy it, see: puregas.org

 

Dr. Jan:

Are you saying that there is a 575 on Cayman? I'd love to see it on the road next time I'm there.

 

+1
They introduced in Austrlia only to get a big backlash componded by the age of the Australian car feet.

 

Yes, but it mainly sleeps in the garage.
There is also a 550 here. Plus another 15 or so ather Fcars.

 

Just to clarify, the U.S. and Europe have different methods of measuring octane. No idea how it's measured in the Caymans, but sounds like it might be the same as the U.S.

 

Correct, same as in US!i
I think the way to measure is the same. In Europe the Octane refers to the RON rating.
We can buy petrol from RON 95 to RON 100.

Edit: in Europe some petrol does indeed contain Ethanol. Labelled "Eco", Green" and so on.

 

+1. Not much room to drive around.

 

The roads are clear on Sundays!

 

Yes, just not much road. How long is the drive from Hell to East End or Rum Point?

 

I am not sure I want to take it into the middle of West Bay!
But from the Cayman Motor Museum, on the bypass, through East End to Rum Point it takes under 45 minutes, driving almost legally.

 

If I don't have access to ethanol free gas, I use STA-BIL additive. Just 1-oz per 10 gallons of gas does the job for my 550 and air cooled Porsche.

http://www.goldeagle.com/product/sta-bil-360-marine-ethanol-fuel-treatment-stabilizer It's available at most auto supply stores.

 

not sure why you need the fuel to be "preserved"?
Unless you never use them ? Petrol lasts for ages, so if you have to fill the tank a couple times a year you will be fine.
Fuel additive to boost the Octane I can (kind of) understand. Not that they boost the Octane count by much. Maybe 0.1 Octane if one bottle per tank is used?

I checked online, what you add is in fact Kerosene.

I have read several reports over the years where technology institutes and car manufacturers have tested various fuel additives. The increase in octane, longevity, cleaning properties and such are negligible.
Petrol today is superbly engineered and made.
No car manufacturer recommends them!

 

Marine Formula STA-BIL® Ethanol Treatment was designed for use at every fill up for marine engines (boats, jetskis) (OR AUTO ENGINES) to protect against the damaging effects experienced when using Ethanol blended fuels -- including corrosion caused by water attraction, and fuel system plugging caused by deposit loosening. New STA-BIL® Ethanol Treatment is designed for use at every fill up for all gasoline automotive and small engines for protection against these same problems.

 

Of course they promise all that. They want to sell the product!
But it consists of 95% Kerosene and 5 % other Hydrocarbons.


If those products were needed for the fuel system and engine I am sure the car manufacturers would recommend them.

 

Water attraction?
Water is absorbed in the Alcohol. Alcohol is blended and dispersed in the Petrol. On an molecular level, sub microscopic droplets, so what they claim about water attraction is not true.
Trust me, I have 3 years of Organic Chemistry studies in Uni before I did the Medical uni.

In Sweden we used to mix in Alcohol ( 0.5 liter per refill) in the fuel in winter, to avoid the water freezing in the fuel lines and carburettors.
Edit: you can still buy the alcohol, called K-sprit, in Sweden.

 

You are aware what ethanol and moisture do to the rubber parts within your fuel system?

 

Regarding the combination of ethanol of the deterioration of rubber components and the corrosion of metal components caused by bacteria in the gas tank due to phase separation.

E-10 Alive: The corrosive damage ethanol gasoline does to your fuel pump | Equipment World | Construction Equipment, News and Information | Heavy Construction Equipment

FPPF

Fuelcare Limited - KATHON? FP 1.5 Fuel Biocide

I know there are more articles about this than most of us have time to read, but I found these particularly interesting.

 

I know people talk favorably about both Shell and Chevron gas for their cars, but for me the closest non-ethanol gas brand is Union 76.

Any concerns about this brand?

 

Which Gas Stations Sell the Best Quality Gasoline? » AutoGuide.com News

Everyone has an opinion based on their experience and understanding.

Google "Top Tier Gasoline" for more articles.

deeprivergarage
Jerry

 

The only time I had a problem with a corrosion was on a Bristol car I never used. The fuel meter sender disintegrated from rust. My mechanic told me that this easily happens if a car is stored in garage with ambient temperature, as water condensates, sinks to the bottom and causes the rust.
If a vehicle is driven at least once a week then the petrol in the tank should always be fresh, should it not?
Fuel conserving stuff like the kathon is meant for storage tanks?

I do not yhink the problems are that huge with Ethanol in Petrol. Most manufacturers have changed the material in O-rings and other sensitive parts so it is a rare problem. Todays cars are pretty good and long lasting.