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Message started by babbalou on 09/30/06 at 11:08:37

Title: Some info about ethanol
Post by babbalou on 09/30/06 at 11:08:37

Just read about ethanol in Consumer Reports Oct 2006 & in Roadbike Oct 2006. CP magazine said they got 27% less mpg with ethanol added than with straight gas & it cost more too. Roadbike said dealers saw a sharp increase in carb service jobs starting 2 years ago when ethanol was introduced. They mentioned corroded needles & seats, debris in float bowls & deteriorated gaskets & O rings. CP magazine did see nitrogen oxide emissions sharply reduced though using ethanol & it doesn't appear to affect fuel injection systems. I know ethanol can be a political hot potato so I'll just put out this tidbit of info & let everyone make their own choices. Ride safe. 8)

Title: Re: Some info about ethanol
Post by Savage_Rob on 10/01/06 at 18:10:02

Yup, I read both of those. I know the owner's manual (at least mine) states that it's okay to use up to 10% ethanol but that's still worse mileage. There are some pumps that specify 15% ethanol and I stay away from them. The problem around here is that most pumps simply state that they may contain up to 10% ethanol. I guess it's hard to tell what mileage is like.

Title: Re: Some info about ethanol
Post by Fido_the_Cat on 10/01/06 at 19:19:45

It used to be when you bought BP (British Petro) or Getty, you at least had certain guarantees, now I can guarantee that you don't know what your getting. Ethanol is good for people that think their slanted opinions will grow wheat fields in Dearborn Michigan. The rest of us understand political payoff for the benefit of select interests. Ooops, did I ofend anyone?

Title: Re: Some info about ethanol
Post by barry68v10 on 10/02/06 at 03:32:14

Speaking of ethanol, politics, and corrosion...ethanol is MUCH cheaper to produce than what we pay for gasoline even if it's anhydrous ethanol, which is much more expensive than ethanol which is only 195 proof or less. IF your engine had 12-14:1 compression or so and NO rubber or aluminum touching any ethanol (read all stainless steel or cast iron) it would run great on 170-180 proof ethanol, run cool, could have gobs of power and get decent milage (~10% less). If the BATF didn't knock down your door and haul you to jail, you could make your own fuel for free by picking up all the rotting fruit from the local grocery stores and distilling it yourself (read serious red-neck.) Obviously, no stock Savage fits these criteria.

Bottom line here for us Savage riders? Alcohol IS corrosive to aluminum and rubber, period. If your riding a steed with a cast iron block / head and stainless steel lines, you're bullet proof. :D

Title: Re: Some info about ethanol
Post by Reelthing on 10/02/06 at 06:34:56

A choice to use it or not would great, but we're forced to pour it into tanks knowing full well it 's going to cause damage, while various stories from the fed are around stating how 10% won't cause any harm to our motorcycles, cars, and boats, the FAA keeps it away from the airports - why is that? could it be they do not want planes falling from the sky but leaving us stranded on the side of the road or sitting in the water some place is ok because it didn't kill us?

Title: Re: Some info about ethanol
Post by Dynobob on 10/02/06 at 11:58:31

Ethanol is nasty stuff. It rots rubber parts in older carburetors and eats fiberglass tanks. I'm still trying to figure out an alternative to run in my older bikes, some which have fiberglass tanks :'(

Title: Re: Some info about ethanol
Post by Reelthing on 10/02/06 at 13:39:25

killing some of the older boats as well - under deck fiberglass tanks - not the place to spring a leak!

Title: Re: Some info about ethanol
Post by DangMan on 10/02/06 at 14:09:52

Here in Denmark we have been happy without ethanol, but last fall they introdused a 5% and made it sound like we were saving mother earth in the comercials ! Dont get me wrong, but I think that its a waste of energy to use it like this, it is well prowen that if you use the materials in other places it will be a better use !
Me for one will keep clear of the ethanol for as long as I can ! Its only only one company that has it, and its in seperate pumps.