Octane numbers and ethanol blend

[Dimebag]

Hi,

What is the pros/cons of running gasoline with ethanol in our engines?

I have the possibilty to fill either 98 octane (ron) or 98 oct ron with 10% ethanol blend.

Whats best for a (turbo) engine?

 

[raginyamaha]

ethanol sux no mater what gas its mixed with. Avoid it if you can

 

[Dimebag]

Why is that?

 

[grader]

because ethanol has a high octane, it can be blended with lower octane gas to bring the numbers up. with new fresh gas the 10% blend might be best, as i believe ethanol burns cooler, but because it also degrades quickly and looses its octane you should run the 98 non ethanol blend.

 

[RIGIDONE]

 

[grader]

every thing rigidone posted may be correct, except the numbers. you have a 10 gallon tank, that means it takes 6 onces of water for phase separation, not .6. if fresh ethanol blend is used regularly, it actually removes any water build up in the system. remember years ago buying the little bottles of de-icer to add to your car or sled in the winter? now its in the gas at 10%, no need to add more. for storage or extended periods of sitting, use pure gas.

 

[RIGIDONE]

Another thing that should be noted is that not all alcohols are the same. Methanol is a single carbon alcohol and has been proven to be very dangerous to the environment and to our health. Ethanol contains 2 carbon atoms and isopropyl alcohol contains 3 carbon atoms. These 3 alcohols are all hygroscopic which means they absorb water. However, they do have very different metabolic differences when burned.

 

[RIGIDONE]

here is a video my boss and i made..

http://www.veoh.com/watch/v27881544RmFQCdFY

 

[Mooseman]

And ethanol will also yield less power and mileage. For the same octane, use one without ethanol. Although it was with my truck, I tested between with and without 10% ethanol and I got more mileage without. Unfortunately, we can no longer get regular 87 octane without ethanol here, only 91 octane.

Ethanol is just bad. Politicians don't see it that way. In the US, they're talking about mandating 15% (E15). I was just looking at some boats today and they are putting "no E15" stickers next to the filler because it would likely cause damage or run like crap.

 

[grader]

good video. what stores ih canada carry this product?

 

[Mooseman]

None. I usually get some when I go to the US.

 

[grader]

figures. just like the seafoam, took 80 years to get to canada cause it needed french and english labels on the can, foam de sea, tabernak der.

 

[Mooseman]

And it can't be shipped neither because Canada Post considers it dangerous goods.

 

[smokingcrater]

And ethanol will also yield less power and mileage. For the same octane, use one without ethanol. Although it was with my truck, I tested between with and without 10% ethanol and I got more mileage without.

In an engine that isn't designed to take advantage of it, yep, that is exactly correct. If you can tune for it, and have a way to increase compression (turbo), ethanol is also known as rocket fuel! In the import tuner car world, (subaru in particular), e85 is extremely popular. It allows you to run an insane amount of boost and timing without blowing up an engine. I imagine the same could translate to 4 stroke turbo sleds.

 

[stevewithOCD]

Great vid! We the "people" were told when ethanol first came out that we'd be less dependant on foreign oil, that gas would be cheaper & it was better for environment. All turned out to be the opposite! Only politicians made out. BUT....we are just learning about ethanol & when we start producing engines, chems, filters & more that can take advantage of it's properties then the effects won't be soooo bad. Unfortunately older equipment & especially 2-smokes will suffer. Glad i have a 4-stroke. Looks like i'm going to Home Depot today...