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ETHANOL PROBLEMS
FUEL MIXTURE/ PERFORMANCE
Because ethanol contains one-third less energy per gallon than gasoline, adding ethanol to gasoline leans out the fuel-air mixture, possibly enough to cause damage. Several manufacturers of small engines have said they will not honor warranties if fuels containing more than 10 percent ethanol are used.
Flex fuel design; Some newer automobiles have digital fuel injection capable of automatically compensating for this leaning effect of Ethanol fuel but most older engines were never designed for this.
CORROSION
Metal fuel-system parts can corrode as a result of exposure to Ethanol. Fuel additives are sold to inhibit this but corrosion can begin instantly and once it starts its hard or impossible to stop or correct.
Solvency of Ethanol in certain fuel-system plastics, rubber and seal materials used in older vehicles can lead to cracking, softening and/or swelling. Fuel additives cannot solve or prevent this.
HYGROSCOPIC
Ethanol is hygroscopic; absorbs water from any source (even from the atmosphere). Once Ethanol that is dissolved in gasoline has absorbed sufficient water, it can separate from the gasoline and settle to the bottom of the tank.
If this separated water-alcohol mixture is drawn into the engine’s fuel-system, the engine will run lean and may misfire or stop running.
Carburetor reservoirs left sitting for even short periods of time are even more susceptible and a stuck float or clogged jets is usually the result.
