ethanol in gasoline

Adding a bit of water will pull the ethanol right to the bottom of the tank...

 

Well, my answer was factual, and WILL work. Ethanol is quite hygroscopic, so it will mix with the water and settle to the bottom of the tank.

Do I recommend it? Well, heck no!

Sorry - don't have a better answer other than to ask what year F-car you are concerned about? Ethanol has been in our fuels up to 10% in most regions for at least a couple decades.

 

yeah but the pump is on the bottom poor mans hydrogen car......

I used to once a yr drain and flush the fuel system on the BMW, it tended to acquire around ~3 gallons on water! I also don't drive daily. The BMW fuel pump sits just above the tank bottom so there was a gap to where the water would collect till it hit the pump, once it rusted the pump -$400+ for a new one. the mercs pull right from the bottom like older Ferrari's so if there's water, which there is it gets sucked up every time. if the car sites for a week or so it's enough to make starting a bit hard, after a month I just drain the tank. evil stuff, esp here CA where we don't even have base stock fuel to start with.

 

Anything under 2007 is what I read for concerns.

 

I will quote what was written in our local newspaper,The Tablelander, on Tuesday this week.

"Tablelands Regional Council will stop using ethanol based E10 fuel because of vehicle breakdowns due to moisture in the fuel tanks.
Matthew Hyde,general manager corporate and community services,reported that between 2000 and 2006 there had been a push behind the benefits of production of ethanol in many Queensland sugar towns(of which we're one).
"It was thought the fuel would partly offset the importation of fossil-based fuels and provide diversification for the sugar industry" he said.
However Mr Hyde said that the ethanol ATTRACTED WATER,making it unreliable for the council's fleet of sedans.

Perhaps some Googling is in order for this thread.

 

It's a start since, according to the Australian Federation of Automotive Industries...

"Ferrari does not recommend the use of ethanol blend petrol. E10 may be used in emergency situations."

http://www.nepa.gov.jm/documents/ethanol_and_car_compatibility_sheet.pdf

 

The poster is absolutely right about ethanol have LOTS of water. A friend has a full service shop, and he has had m,any cars come in with running problems, the people had ran the gas tank low, and were pumping a high mix of water into the engines.

 

I found a 93 octane ethanol free station. Problem solved.

 

Where??? Need address please!

 

Sure, Kevin. That is Hakes in Dover. All his fuel is ethanol free. He's on GasBuddy. Plug in York for best results

 

Quite right.

If you then go to an auto-parts store,
they will sell you a "fuel additive" that will
"dissolve" the water into the fuel,
where the water will burn off.

The fuel additive will be mostly ethanol.......

 

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

Chech for your local station with no ethanol. Too bad I live in IL. There are none by me.

 

there is a new product that is enzyme based, that deals with water in ethanol a different approach to the traditional chemical based solutions... it is called Startron by Starbright Corp
It cleared up issues with yard equipment... I also use it in my outboard motors for the past couple of years with no issues, ethanol in marine gas has been a problem to all... not having any fuel related issues is not conclusive, but I would give it a try it may solve your water in fuel issues... the enzyme solution makes sense to me...

 

Depends what Ferrari recommends. More octane usually doesn't enhance performance in a normally aspirated car. But if a car "can" run on 87, but premium is recommended, I normally run premium (here, usually 93 octane).

Octane is a measure against pre-ignition, or detonation. BTU's are a measure of stored energy.

Ethanol has a high octane, but much lower BTU per unit. So adding ethanol is a cheap way to raise octane, but it also reduces energy available. Which is why fuel mileage goes down about 5-10%.

If you drive the car regularly, water separation shouldn't be an issue. Adding octane won't help with water separation.

In colder climates, there is a fuel additive that helps "absorb" water so it can be burned with the fuel. If water can be broken down far enough, it can be burned (think water injection, a very very fine mist that is sprayed into the intake) in extremely small amounts. Not sure if the additive is here in Florida, although you might check marine supply stores.

If you want ethanol free gas, take a run out to Moroso (now PBIR). They sell it when the track is open. Usually open Wednesday night for the drags and most weekends, including Saturday night drags.

Regards,
Jerry

 

if you drive the Ferrari regularly you wont have a problem with ethanol. I go through a tank of gas every 5-6 days in my 360, gas does not stay in it long enough to cause any issues. Get out and drive your car daily and enjoy it.

 

I'm seriously considering filling up with ethanol free before this winter; now that it's more widely found.
Any downside to doing so? I've always used sta-bil with no issues in 7 years....
Kevin