Comments on: E85 Boondoggle of the Day: MN Gov. Says Double Ethanol in “Regular” Gas

By: altdude

altdude — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:09:22 +0000

I remember as of a few years ago, I noticed a reduction in performance on my ‘93 BMW. Had my mechanic check out the fuel system completely, O2 sensor was replaced, fuel filter, injectors, and finally the fuel pump. It’s better now, but I really do think the ‘new’ gas was to blame, and so did my mechanic.

Frustrating, since I don’t think I should be punished for owning an older car, especially since it’s in better condition than many 5 year old cars on the road!

By: GS650G

GS650G — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:38:26 +0000

If car owners suffer mechanical problems, that is not their problems. Happy farmers and hippies are more important. Taking the lead out of gas was probably justified for health and safety reasons, adding corn to the tank is not.

Expect big price increases on top of worse mileage, clogged fuel filters and injectors, and higher evaporation loss. the ethanol sends deposits through the fuel system, on older vehicles this causes a problem. Again, YOUR problem not theirs.

Next up is mandatory E85 for certain areas, along with hybrid cars. No permit on your windshield? park it over there and take the bus.

By: William C Montgomery

William C Montgomery — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:37:55 +0000

Let them eat cake!

By: guyincognito

guyincognito — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:49:46 +0000

“finding little difference between the two fuels”

Yes the only “little” difference they noticed was the complete degredation of engine seals in the 20% ethanol cars, which is quite minor when you consider what a smalll percentage of the overall car these actually make up.

By: LastResort

LastResort — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 06:24:32 +0000

It’s funny that so many people are complaining about the lack of performance with E85. If/When it becomes easy to acquire, I’m going to make the switch for performance. As the owner of a turbo charged vehicle, I can increase my boost and increase my timing, as E85 is equivalent to an octane of roughly 100. The down side is that I will need larger injectors, a pump, and tune, but all that can be had for a couple of hundred bucks if I’m willing to modify my injectors myself.

By: David Holzman

David Holzman — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:27:49 +0000

I’ve had the same 2.5-3mpg decline since Mass went to ethanol. And the car hasn’t felt quite as peppy.

Agribusiness certainly doesn’t need ethanol anymore to stay fat. Article in today’s (Sunday) NYT, front page, on how rising demand for grain all over the world is giving food prices and ag revenues a powerful boost, starving people in some poor countries.

By: Brian E

Brian E — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:00:38 +0000

I’m sure the car makers don’t mind – the cars most likely to not tolerate that ethanol content are all older cars.

By: Andy D

Andy D — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:41:35 +0000

I was able to get reg’lar gas up ’til the late 80s – early 90s in MA. 2 yrs of unleaded gas wiped out the exhaust valves in my 66 Valiant. I retired it just shy of 100K miles. Which is short miles for a slant 6 It was beginning to be a hassle as a DD due to the manual drum brakes, so I didnt bother doing a valve job and retro-fitting hardened valve seats. But hey, lead isnt good for babies. Keeping agri- business fat certainly doesnt justify engine damage though.

By: Gardiner Westbound

Gardiner Westbound — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 14:28:51 +0000

This is reminiscent of the the early 1970s government mandated switch to low octane unleaded fuel notwithstanding auto manufacturers engine damage cautions. Car owners had to suck it up.

By: Andy D

Andy D — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 14:12:46 +0000

Ive noticed a 2.5-3mpg loss since MA went to 10% ethanol. Between that and the winter formulation used currently, MPG sucks. At some point the ethanhol is probably going to start attacking stuff in the fuel system that wasnt designed for corn squeezings

By: crackers

crackers — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 13:37:13 +0000

Yeah right, leave my vehicle! My Honda’s Owner’s Manual states a maximum of 15% Ethanol, and most gas stations in my area have up to 10% Ethanol in their regular gas. They would have to test this stuff in 100s of vehicles for 10 years to prove their point. Until they can get the auto makers on side, this is going nowhere.