10% Ethanol Gas

[ntw0rk]

I have noticed that up here in New England, most of the gas stations (Read: all of the ones I can find) use gas that is 10% Ethanol. I still use the 93 Octane stuff, but is the Ethanol bad? What are the possible effects with my Stage II Flash?

I have noticed a slight "Pre-Ignition" ping when I am accelerating hard sometimes. Does this mean that my tune is "off"??

I don't want to do any damage to the motor, so I am trying to be careful.


Anybody? Gary?

 

[Black1]

It was the same way in MI... :dontknow:

I don't know, with the Stage II, if it will hurt or not. I would think "not". If you're worried about the pinging, put some octane boost in her.

 

[Prof]

I asked Sear Roe about the 10% Ethanol issue and it was his opinion that I did not have to pay any attention to it...so I haven't.

 

[ntw0rk]

Thanks guys! I don't really have a choice since virtually all of the gas stations here are that way, but I wanted to know if I should be concerned.

I am going to run some octane boost, and may head down to try and get some Acetone too.

 

[01VIPERGTS/ACR]

05`s have knock sensors...you should not have any pre-ignition?:dontknow:

 

[ntw0rk]

05`s have knock sensors...you should not have any pre-ignition?:dontknow:

Well, that's why I wasn't too concerned about it.

It is slight, not really knocking, just a little ping... know what I mean?

 

[6pakattack]

If I remember right,back when they initialy introduced Ethanol,they had a problem with it bein corrosive to the rubber in the fuel lines and such !!I can't imagine that they haven't refined it a bit since then !!!:dontknow: :dontknow:

 

[ntw0rk]

If I remember right,back when they initialy introduced Ethanol,they had a problem with it bein corrosive to the rubber in the fuel lines and such !!I can't imagine that they haven't refined it a bit since then !!!:dontknow: :dontknow:

Great! Just what I need. Glad I bought the 7/70 warranty!!

 

[dragon]

i wish i could get 93 octain in AZ i can only find 91. i dont have any knock with the mods i have. we also have the 10% ethanol and i think another additive depending on what time of year.

 

[Muzzy]

If I remember right,back when they initialy introduced Ethanol,they had a problem with it bein corrosive to the rubber in the fuel lines and such !!I can't imagine that they haven't refined it a bit since then !!!:dontknow: :dontknow:

The problems stemmed more from the type of seals that were used in the past than the fuel itself. Auto manufacturers have been using Nitrile rubber seals on fuels systems for at least 10 years now (I do not remember when they switched). The Nitrile rubber is synthetic and does not break down like the previous seal types, so it is unaffected by ethanol.

If you are using ethanol blends (some do not have a choice), make sure you are getting it at a high fuel turnover station. Ethanol is used as an octane improver and to reduce emissions. Ethanol will evaporate out of fuel it is blended with over a long period of time. This is a quote from the Nebraska Governor's Ethanol Coalition, "Ethanol has a tendency to separate from gasoline and solubilize water into ethanol blended gasoline, ethanol is typically introduced into gasoline soon before use at or near the distribution terminals". So if you buy 93 octane fuel from a station that has low turnover, it may no longer be 93 octane.

-Muzzy

 

[mauiSRT/10]

The problems stemmed more from the type of seals that were used in the past than the fuel itself. Auto manufacturers have been using Nitrile rubber seals on fuels systems for at least 10 years now (I do not remember when they switched). The Nitrile rubber is synthetic and does not break down like the previous seal types, so it is unaffected by ethanol.

If you are using ethanol blends (some do not have a choice), make sure you are getting it at a high fuel turnover station. Ethanol is used as an octane improver and to reduce emissions. Ethanol will evaporate out of fuel it is blended with over a long period of time. This is a quote from the Nebraska Governor's Ethanol Coalition, "Ethanol has a tendency to separate from gasoline and solubilize water into ethanol blended gasoline, ethanol is typically introduced into gasoline soon before use at or near the distribution terminals". So if you buy 93 octane fuel from a station that has low turnover, it may no longer be 93 octane.

Good post Muzzy. I read about that when Hawaii went to a mandatory 10% ethanol last year.

My trucks performance has not changed at all. Talking with Dan at DC, he also said to not worry.


patrick

 

[ntw0rk]

Awesome info Muzzy! Thanks!!

I feel better now. I will get some Octane boost though, just to be safe.

 

[Prof]

It is imperative that Muzzy get his posts up into the 3000 - 5000 area as soon as possible!

Thanks man!

 

[Sharpimage]

It is imperative that Muzzy get his posts up into the 3000 - 5000 area as soon as possible!

Thanks man!

come post Ho with us! :rofl: :rock: i'm sure you'll hit 3000 in no time! hell
i went from 400 to what ever i am now in two weeks! :dontknow: :rock:

Sharpi

 

[rottenronnie]

I have noticed that up here in New England, most of the gas stations (Read: all of the ones I can find) use gas that is 10% Ethanol. I still use the 93 Octane stuff, but is the Ethanol bad? What are the possible effects with my Stage II Flash?

I have noticed a slight "Pre-Ignition" ping when I am accelerating hard sometimes. Does this mean that my tune is "off"??

I don't want to do any damage to the motor, so I am trying to be careful.


Anybody? Gary?

I have been using 94 Octane (Ethanol Blend) in my truck with a stage 2 flash since it was brand new, 2 years ago. The engine responds really well to the increased octane the 94 provides. Ethanol has a lower b.t.u. value than gasoline but the slower burn/higher octane offsets that, and the engine produces good power.

Ethanol acts like a mini-nitrous setup as it is an oxygenate and as such, promotes burning. The only downside is your O2 sensors detect the additional oxygen and more fuel is delivered by your injectors to compensate. So the oil companies are pushing Ethanol but vehicles will use MORE fuel because of it it.

I offset the mileage loss (for the most part) by running Acetone (which doesn't really contribute to increasing octane as much as Xylene does) but it does help recover the lost mileage because of the Ethanol. Just make sure the Acetone is pure, as steps have recently been taken to render it useless for making street drugs, etc. And, don't use too much in your truck or the mileage WILL start to decrease.

The Viper engines are octane pigs. Dan C. said a bit of ping is ok under load but with the 94 octane, (unless it is really stinkin' hot out) at our altitude, my truck doesn't ping with the Stage 2 at all. Just the way I like it..

Ron

 

[Muzzy]

It is imperative that Muzzy get his posts up into the 3000 - 5000 area as soon as possible!

Thanks man!

I just past 100...WOO HOO! I should be at 3000 in no time :laugh:

 

[Prof]

Don't hold out on us man, there is precious little good input here, I want to see you posting daily...add a little class to what other wise might be a pretty ugly gathering!

 

[Muzzy]

I have been using 94 Octane (Ethanol Blend) in my truck with a stage 2 flash since it was brand new, 2 years ago. The engine responds really well to the increased octane the 94 provides. Ethanol has a lower b.t.u. value than gasoline but the slower burn/higher octane offsets that, and the engine produces good power.

Ethanol acts like a mini-nitrous setup as it is an oxygenate and as such, promotes burning. The only downside is your O2 sensors detect the additional oxygen and more fuel is delivered by your injectors to compensate. So the oil companies are pushing Ethanol but vehicles will use MORE fuel because of it it.

I offset the mileage loss (for the most part) by running Acetone (which doesn't really contribute to increasing octane as much as Xylene does) but it does help recover the lost mileage because of the Ethanol. Just make sure the Acetone is pure, as steps have recently been taken to render it useless for making street drugs, etc. And, don't use too much in your truck or the mileage WILL start to decrease.

The Viper engines are octane pigs. Dan C. said a bit of ping is ok under load but with the 94 octane, (unless it is really stinkin' hot out) at our altitude, my truck doesn't ping with the Stage 2 at all. Just the way I like it..

Ron

Right on dude...Ethanol is being used to replace MTBE (Methyl tert-butyl ether) as an oxygenate. MTBE is actually better as an oxygenate. You do not lose mileage (actually increases it) and it will increase power due to its higher BTU/lb output over ethanol. However, there are some politics with its removal from use. Some say because it is water soluble it is detrimental to the environment if leaked from storage tanks (so is any fuel). There is very little data to support its affect on the environment. In fact all examples of health effects have not been linked to MTBE, but possibly other environmental factors. However, ethanol supports farmers, so in farming states MTBE has been banned for use replaced by ethanol.

-Muzzy

 

[rottenronnie]

Right on dude...Ethanol is being used to replace MTBE (Methyl tert-butyl ether) as an oxygenate. MTBE is actually better as an oxygenate. You do not lose mileage (actually increases it) and it will increase power due to its higher BTU/lb output over ethanol. However, there are some politics with its removal from use. Some say because it is water soluble it is detrimental to the environment if leaked from storage tanks (so is any fuel). There is very little data to support its affect on the environment. In fact all examples of health effects have not been linked to MTBE, but possibly other environmental factors. However, ethanol supports farmers, so in farming states MTBE has been banned for use replaced by ethanol.

-Muzzy

Yeah, the DROP in mileage due to the Ethanol fuels is undeniable on all the vehicles we use around here. But I use it in the 10 only because it really likes it.

Hey! Lets SAVE the environment, switch to Ethanol blended gasolines and use even MORE fuel !! :star:

 

[Muzzy]

Yeah, the DROP in mileage due to the Ethanol fuels is undeniable on all the vehicles we use around here. But I use it in the 10 only because it really likes it.

Hey! Lets SAVE the environment, switch to Ethanol blended gasolines and use even MORE fuel !! :star:

That is hilarious. Here we still have an option. Only mid grade 89 is ethanol blend. It is also cheaper to buy than 87 (about 10 cents/gal). I tell people all the time it is a wash buying the cheaper 89. They are paying less, but they will be filling up more often. They just don't get it :dontknow:

-Muzzy