Anybody use ethanol-free gas? By tomcat (Read 6,242 times)

[tomcat]

Found a station a couple miles from me that sells ethanol-free gas, figured might as well try it so took my gas can there this morning. Found out a couple things:  1) it's 90 octane  2) it ain't cheap
Paid $4.34 a gallon, which is almost $1.00 a gallon more than comparable ethanol fuel. I'll probably end up using it year round in my generator, as that can sit for very long periods without being run. Will also use it in the snowblower, as that can sit unused for quite awhile too, depending on winter weather. As for the trike, have about half a tank of 93 octane (with stabilizer) in there now so will top it off with the ethanol-free. I start it once a week during winter & let it run for 15 minutes or so. I'll only burn about half a tank, if that, before spring.
Here's where I would like opinion,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,during riding season should I continue with 93 octane Shell spiked with stabilizer or use 90 octane Marathon ethanol-free? What would you do?
Thanks,
Tom

For reference, the trike holds about 1 1/2 gallons, the generator 1 gallon, the snowblower 3/4 gallon

[fflintstone]

Well,a couple of questions...why use ethanol free if you have had no trouble with ethanol--I have used ethanol regular for 5 years in my scoot and don't seem to have any problems even though the Chinese Mfg recommends premium or at least 93 octane gas..also you say you have stabilizer in the tank ...there is a product on the market to counter the ethanol possible damage to your engine if you are worried and it is expensive initially but it is suppose to help--I personally think ethanol is another failure of the government trying to do something with something they don't have a clue what it is since it is not improving mileage or green house gas emissions since people put so much additives in to counteract the alcohol ---my opinion ,not any research I am aware of..I am sure we gonna hear other opinions now-heh-ride safe,happy trails,fflintstone

[ellpee]

As far as the octane number is concerned, I spent a good hour once googling into that, and learned that US octane numbers are an average of research octane and "M" octane (forgot what the M actually stands for), whereas Asia and some other places use just one of those figures -- research octane, I believe it was. Point being, everything I read in several places said that our ubiquitous 87-octane regular is every bit as good as what the Chinese call 93 octane. So if you're on a budget, no obvious reason to buy the super stuff, although for a typical scooter tank you're probably talking less than half a buck difference. On ethanol versus no ethanol, though, I have no opinion except I too wish the Feds would quit meddling.

Of course one could always swoop by the closest small airport and tank up with 100LL avgas .... (joke, people -- I'm sure there are engineering reasons why that would not be smart).

[wolfhound]

I have always used 87 octane, treated with Sta Bil with good results. My friend at Mountain Moped has found a dealer who sells
straight non ethanol gas and he is trying it in his scoots with very good results he says. Better gas milage, more engine pep. I have not
tried it yet.

[JR]

It's my mowers, etc. sitting up for the winter right now. All tanks are full to the brim with ethanol free gas, don't/wont' add any things to the tanks. Springtime, hit the start switch/pull cord and all run correctly, no water BS in the tanks. Same with my 70HP Johnson outboard. Learned my lesson with the ethanol crap letting it sit in my tanks, got to go through nearly every carb.

Funny though ethanol free gas here is actually on the average about 35 cents a gallon cheaper than the corn whiskey junk. I drive 7 miles from my house to get it.

IMO it's been so long for some to use "good" gas they've forgot about how "good" gas performs. My wife drives 100 miles round trip to work and ask her how much better she likes the way her car runs on "good" gas and at 4MPG more fuel economy all can figure out how much that puts in your pocket at a 100 miles a day mileage.

As long as they sell it and I can get it I'll not buy the "junk" gas and I run just good old regular 87 rated gas. I bought ethanol free two days ago at $2.93 a gallon. My vehicles say thank you and so does my pocket book.

JR

[scot]

yes I was told not to use the higher octane they are finding out our 93 will run much hotter ,they said use 89 to 91 as it better compares to there 93 octane like someone elce said

[scooterran]

Pure gas.com and Gas Buddy.com for the cheapest gas in your area ......

[crazedfox]

All that E85 crap is bad for any non duel/flex-fuel engine.
Running all that alcohol based fuel can do alot of damage.

I'm lucky not to have any of that E5, E10, or even that E85 crap near me.

I can never understand why someone would willing stick any amount if alcohol in a engine that was never meant for it.
Lack of education can be one of the reasons, I guess.

Aside from the corrosive damages, lower than stated Octane-levels,
getting less MPG is a big mover not to purchase it.

Even a huge chunk of auto manufacturers will void your warranty on any auto made before 2012, if they find proof of its use in the auto.

I feel bad for any you that don't have access to Ethanol-free fuel.
It's gotta suck…
_

[tvnacman]

Mar 19, 2014 8:27:16 GMT -6 crazedfox said:

All that E85 crap is bad for any non duel/flex-fuel engine.
Running all that alcohol based fuel can do alot of damage.

I'm lucky not to have any of that E5, E10, or even that E85 crap near me.

I can never understand why someone would willing stick any amount if alcohol in a engine that was never meant for it.
Lack of education can be one of the reasons, I guess.

Aside from the corrosive damages, lower than stated Octane-levels,
getting less MPG is a big mover not to purchase it.

Even a huge chunk of auto manufacturers will void your warranty on any auto made before 2012, if they find proof of its use in the auto.

I feel bad for any you that don't have access to Ethanol-free fuel.
It's gotta suck…
_

can you find ethanol free my zip is 11379 ?

John

[lanternscooter]

theres a station about 10 miles from here that sells pure gas and its $6.50/gallon! i think ill take my chances with my e10 93oct at $3.83/gallon.

[crazedfox]

Looks like the state of NY dumped ethanol-free years ago.

You could try to find E5, or E10 only & use a additive.
That or drive out of state...

[Rockin'EZ]

It is even worse in SoCal. They change the gasoline formula here. One formula for summer, and one for winter.
The gas stations all have single hose delivery pumps with 3 buttons to select grade. With a 0.8 Gal tank I get pretty much what the last guy bought, regardless of which button I push.

If I could get pure gasoline I would use it.
I did replace my carb this year. After 6 years of California gas, it was too corroded to rebuild. It was only $23 to replace it with free shipping. well worth it.

[crazedfox]

Apr 3, 2014 14:32:59 GMT -6 Rockin'EZ said:

It is even worse in SoCal. They change the gasoline formula here. One formula for summer, and one for winter.
The gas stations all have single hose delivery pumps with 3 buttons to select grade. With a 0.8 Gal tank I get pretty much what the last guy bought, regardless of which button I push.

If I could get pure gasoline I would use it.

Holy-crap! I forgot about that.
Here in Ky there are a lot fuel stations just like that.
My tank isn't as small as yours.
( 1.2-Gal. but that's close enuff.)
But most of these scoots generally have small tank anyway.

Now you got me wanting to find out the inner diameter the fuel station hose, & find out how much fuel is in per' foot…
_

[crazedfox]

Apr 4, 2014 3:28:16 GMT -6 crazedfox said:

Apr 3, 2014 14:32:59 GMT -6 Rockin'EZ said:

It is even worse in SoCal. They change the gasoline formula here. One formula for summer, and one for winter.
The gas stations all have single hose delivery pumps with 3 buttons to select grade. With a 0.8 Gal tank I get pretty much what the last guy bought, regardless of which button I push.

If I could get pure gasoline I would use it.

Holy-crap! I forgot about that.
Here in Ky there are a lot fuel stations just like that.
My tank isn't as small as yours.
( 1.2-Gal. but that's close enuff.)
But most of these scoots generally have small tank anyway.

Now you got me wanting to find out the inner diameter the fuel station hose, & find out how much fuel is in per' foot…
_

Ooh,ooh.
I just had an idea on how to try to solve the issue of the small tank Vs. what's in the pump's hose!

Just get a 5-Gal can, some stabilizer & fill that up.
So that way you get the grade you want.
Plus no need to head out to the fuel station as often.
_

[Rockin'EZ]

I have given up. I take my truck to the gas station. I put a half gallon in the truck, and a gallon in my can. That way I get better octane gas. The truck does not mind.
It is a pain in the kiester.