ETHANOL GAS: It makes a difference in the Pro Rides...HOW TO BE SURE "NON ETHANOL"

[Jetjock]

Generally speaking nonethanol autofuel is no longer available at local airports. The local airports were receiving their supplies from the local tank farms who, although they could deliver autofuel without adding ethanol, were unwilling to go through the trouble for such a low volume customer. The alternative is to use 100LL avgas which has a high volume of lead and a different chemical composition. It is roughly 100 octane but as a general rule the high lead content and "dry" chemical makeup are not always complimentary or compatable with nonaviation engines and electronics. There are several areas on the north slope in Alaska where 100LL is the only fuel available and it has been used in nonperformance style sled operations (ie-driving around at moderate to slow speeds in whiteout conditions with nanook of the north in the saddle behind while traveling between villages or hunting camps) without many problems. AVGAS 100LL also has the disadvantage of a rather high price $5.00+ a gallon.

 

[LeftField]

Shop test for Ethanol in gasoline

Ethanol separates out of gasoline if more than 0.5% water is present (at 70F, less if colder). (See wikipedia - Ethanol_fuel) The method listed above can work, but can have different results depending on how much gas is added to the 1/4" of water - if a lot of gas is used, the water will mix in; if less is used the water and alcohol will separate out.

To get a conclusive result I use a similar test but ensure the water to gasoline ratio is high enough to force phase separation - causing the alcohol and water separate out together.

In a test tube or other tall thin container, I put in several inches (let's say 2") of gasoline. For our local gas, 10% of it is expected to be alcohol, or about 0.2"

Then I gently add in around 0.2" of water and mark the water level on the tube. After a vigorous shake, the separated water/alcohol mixture will now rise above the original mark to a total of approximately 0.4".

This test has verified that my local 'non-ethanol' station has no ethanol and my local chevron & shell stations do. The attached picture shows test results for some ethanol gas - first the water level, then the level of separated alcohol+water after shaking.

Pardon the test tube - it's an old 'hotel' shampoo bottle.

 

[mountainhorse]

Sad about the non ethanol fuel...

100LL This is a WHOLE different discussion though... something beyond the scope of the this "testing" thread ... See this thread CLICKY

 

[Jetjock]

I did not say it better myself -thanks LEFTFIELD!

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Ethanol separates out of gasoline if more than 0.5% water is present (at 70F, less if colder). (See wikipedia - Ethanol_fuel) The method listed above can work, but can have different results depending on how much gas is added to the 1/4" of water - if a lot of gas is used, the water will mix in; if less is used the water and alcohol will separate out.

To get a conclusive result I use a similar test but ensure the water to gasoline ratio is high enough to force phase separation - causing the alcohol and water separate out together.

In a test tube or other tall thin container, I put in several inches (let's say 2") of gasoline. For our local gas, 10% of it is expected to be alcohol, or about 0.2"

Then I gently add in around 0.2" of water and mark the water level on the tube. After a vigorous shake, the separated water/alcohol mixture will now rise above the original mark to a total of approximately 0.4".

This test has verified that my local 'non-ethanol' station has no ethanol and my local chevron & shell stations do. The attached picture shows test results for some ethanol gas - first the water level, then the level of separated alcohol+water after shaking.

Pardon the test tube - it's an old 'hotel' shampoo bottle.
Attached Thumbnails

LEFTFIELD,

Far more accurate and detailed explanation than my own -thanks, I learned something.

Jetjock

 

[snow4me]

I'm with Kraven. Wouldn't it be easy to wire up a toggle switch like they did on the older F7's that you just switched the switch to Ethanol or Non-Ethanol depending on where you got your fuel and what kind it was? Seems like it would be the same thing as switching the plugs manually? Dunno.

 

[800RUSHPRO-R]

my 03 prox had the ignition key one step back or forth to switch from premium to non premium. got a new pro-r did not know about the ethanol plug found out from the dealer when going through set up,Is ethanol spreading that far west? i can still get 92 octane from the local BP corner store and always had as much at home and in the sled as possible and used 91 octane or above when i could,but was nice just to turn the key when in doubt instead of opening panel @ -10F to replace the tiny resistor.

 

[SledDud]

ETHANOL is a big problem out here in the West! 91 Octane and 10%. My last ride washed out the rings at the intake and exhaust ports. That was with the Ethanol resistor in place. Not a bit happy!

 

[RMKRAZIE]

ETHANOL is a big problem out here in the West! 91 Octane and 10%. My last ride washed out the rings at the intake and exhaust ports. That was with the Ethanol resistor in place. Not a bit happy!

I believe the comedian Daniel Tosh said it the best in one of his stand up specials: "Ethanol is a dream, and a dumb one at that."

 

[harrysmith500]

I bought an ethanol tester just to make sure I'm not getting ripped off.