E10 Tips - Precautions Necessary with Ethanol Gasoline Blends.

Fuel system and gas rules have changed...

Precautions are now necessary when using E10 ethanol-blends of conventional gasoline.

Ethanol is alcohol and will attract/absorb water into gas resulting in phase separation of fuel.

Due to the instability of gas containing alcohol, shelf life is less than 3 months.

Fuel Testers recommends testing gasoline for alcohol at the pumps before purchase.

Alcohol Fuel Test Kits will assure gas contains 10% or less ethanol.

A profit motive exists to over-blend more than 10% (legal limit) ethanol into gas;

Due to government ethanol tax credits and subsidies supported by taxpayers.

E10 Gasoline Precautions & Tips

By, Fuel-Testers Company, a division of MLR Solutions Consulting

1. The legal and manufacturer recommended limit for ethanol in conventional gas is 10%. The actual ethanol percent found at individual pumps/stations varies, and will change with each new fuel delivery.

The EPA approved a waiver to increase legal limit for alcohol in conventional gas to 15%.

Caution: All conventional engine manufacturers still only approve of up to 10%. Do not use "new" E15 gas type.

2. Use of contaminated fuel containing more than 10% ethanol will invalidate all conventional engine warranties for fuel system repairs. Since over-blending has become so common, most major companies now require certified mechanics to test fuel from the tank to confirm alcohol content is 10% or less. The engine owner will be held responsible for damage and cost of repairs when gas contains excess ethanol and/or H20.

Check engine manufacturer warranty for details and consequences of alcohol fuel use.

Test gas at pump with a portable Fuel Test Kit to confirm gas only contains 10% or less alcohol.

3. Gas stations are not legally required to monitor the percent alcohol in gasoline...But, they are responsible to reimburse you for damage caused if gas sold has above 11% alcohol and any other type of contamination.

- Always save gas and repair receipts. Immediately contact your state government petroleum inspector (usually found under the Dept. of Agriculture) for investigation. Save a sample of the contaminated gas from your tank in a sealed glass jar, it may later be needed for proof and further testing.

4. Ethanol is added locally not at the refineries, since it would absorb too much water when traveling through underground pipelines. Ethanol blending is performed by varied responsible parties at different locations. E.G. May be done by a large professional company at the terminal, a local distributor or even by an inexperienced fuel truck driver. Splash-blending is the least reliable. A profit-motive exists to over or double-blend due to federal government ethanol blending tax credits offered.

5. Several states still do not legally require gas pumps to be labeled (E10 sticker) when ethanol alcohol is added.

Never assume a gas pump without an E10 sticker is alcohol-free.

View state ethanol labeling laws. http://www.fuel-testers.com/state_guide_ethanol_laws.html

Just 1 drop of Fuel-Testers brand Quik-Check™ solution will instantly confirm

that gas does not contain any ethanol or other types of alcohol and/or water.

Reusable Portable Alcohol Fuel Test Kits quickly and accurately check percent alcohol in gas.

6. Learn about the chemical properties of ethanol which can make it undesirable in a petroleum based fuel.

Ethanol is an ethyl alcohol, renewable fuel and is used to oxygenate gas and raise octane.

Ethanol is a solvent, cleanser, degreaser, drying agent, antifreeze, water-absorber and octane enhancer.

Ethanol blends are unstable since they quickly attract and absorb water; Oil (gas) and water do not mix.

Avoid all fuel additives and fuel system treatment products that contain ethanol or are alcohol-based; Most octane boosters and fuel system cleansers contain alcohol.

View gas additive list.

7. Replace the gas in your fuel tank at least every 2-4 weeks.

Choose a higher octane fuel (90 or better), as a preventive measure, in engine types most vulnerable to water absorption or when fuel will be stored.

Shelf life of E-10 fuel is only about 3 months in an ideal environmental (low humidity) storage conditions.

8. Be aware that ethanol-blend fuels have lower energy (BTU), decrease fuel efficiency and drop mpg.

Depending on engine type, condition and amount of ethanol, studies reveal a 2-40% decrease in fuel efficiency. Decreased performance with hesitation, stalling and loss of power will be most noticeable in larger and high-end vehicles. The better the engine, the more-likely it will be sensitive to low energy fuel types.

View more information on fuel efficiency and mpg of E-10 gas.

9. Check your engine owner's manual for recommended fuel type and octane rating.

Many older engines, luxury cars, classic cars, lawn & small gas-powered equipment, marine and motorcycle engines often prohibit or warn against the use of E10 alcohol gas blends (gasahol)...Just because E0 fuel is no longer offered for sale in many areas of the USA, does not change decades of warnings issued by engine manufacturers regarding the higher risk for parts damage and performance problems when gas contains alcohol.

View Manufacturer Ethanol Recommendations and Warnings.

10. Know the symptoms and negative effects of high alcohol and/or water contaminated gas.

ENGINE DAMAGE AND MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY ETHANOL OFTEN INCLUDES:

Stalling, hesitation during acceleration, clogged fuel filters and carburetor, damage to fuel and VRO pumps and pistons, damage to fuel injectors, disintegration and dissolving of engine parts (especially rubber and plastic), drying-out and cracking of parts, hoses and seals, and much more.

E10 problems and part damage:

For more information, visit webpage: http://www.fueltestkit.com/list_e10_engine_damage.html

11. Frequently check E10 gasoline for signs of water contamination (WC) and phase separation (PS).

Two distinct layers will be seen after WC/PS occurs. Gas will appear cloudy with a top layer that is straw/golden/yellow tinted and a colorless/clear bottom layer. Bottom layer consists of water and alcohol.

12. Ethanol Gas and Octane Issues...

#12-#20 Removed to Condense Space ---->> See E10 Tips & Precautions Page (2).

Our literature, including E10 Tips & Precautions is included with all orders.

Request a complete copy to be sent by email.

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions.

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MORE INFORMATION - Review our website directory/index for more ethanol and gasoline information.

Alcohol in E10 ethanol gasoline has caused engine problems & damage, especially to older vehicles and marine outboard boat motors.

E10 gasoline causes many more problems and disadvantages than benefits. E85 fuels used only in flex fuel vehicles is far more advantageous. E-85 flex-fuel is not a perfect solution, but it does help to decrease our dependence on foreign oil.

The United States must take the necessary steps to provide a beneficial type of alternative/renewable NON-petroleum fuel in the near future. Possibilities include hybrid automobiles, electric vehicles and future engines powered by wind/solar, hydrogen fuel cells, natural gas and more.

With all the negative consequences of ethanol (risk of parts damage, gas contamination, lower mpg, etc.) it seems ethanol is most beneficial (profitable) to the ethanol producers E.G. ACE, American Coalition for Ethanol and Growth Energy.

Note: In October 2010 the EPA approved an application from ACE, Growth Energy and 54 ethanol producers seeking to increase E10 to 15% ethanol.

In December '10 engine manufacturers filed a class action lawsuit to stop the increase. Debates continue on how to label pumps to warn consumers that engine manufacturers disapprove of E15 and use of this new fuel type will invalidate warranties for fuel system repairs...

Consumers MUST Protect Their Right (Choice) to Buy Gas WithOUT Ethanol - Sign Petition.

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