Need help understanding this, owners manual says engine 'can' handle up to 10%, however try finding a station that does'nt have the "up to" 10% added already. I know it is an alcohol and that it is blended into the gas. Question is, does it do any good for my engine? Does it do any harm to my engine? Now the EPA has also approoved E15 to be sold.

 

There’s really nothing good about it unless you happen to be a major midwestern corn growing corporation...

 

Unless you are running something old school, modern stuff is made to run it.
Your corn farmer, the EPA and small endangered species of snails appreciate your concern for the environment.

 

It's been a fact of life here in California for quite some time. It hasn't hurt anything I've run it in, except.....

In small engines such as lawn mowers weed eaters, pressure washers etc, and ESPECIALLY two-stroke engines, you MUST add a fuel stabilizer if you don't run the equipment a lot and keep fresh fuel flowing through it. If it dries in the carburetor, you're hosed. It leaves a film that will "skin-over" and clog those tiny jets. Then it's carb rebuild time. Some of those carbs are just not repairable as no kits are available.

For my two-stroke stuff, I bought the special pre-mixed fuel from the hardware store since they don't use much. Which is good, because the net cost is nearly $20/gal. But, it has no ethanol, and it keeps 'em running good. If you've ever yanked on the start cord till you arm felt like it was gonna fall off, it's worth it. Still over time, I've replaced all my two-stroke yard tools with electric stuff.

 

In all my riding to different places, I've never seen any station with zero ethanol and they all seem to say "up to 10%". Whether it helps or harms, I don't know.

 

I wish they never put that CRAP in our fuel.
It's near impossible to find clean gas around here, unless you want
to lug cans to a marina and pay big bucks for it.

 

There are quite a few places in the US that do not incorporate ethanol into the fuel. Sadly, my area is NOT one of them.

Also, I have heard that fuels with blended 15% ethanol may be an option but not a requirement. HD for one states that 15% ethanol content will void a waranty.

Generally speaking, the less ethanol in the fuel the better, and the less necessity for fuel stabilizers as well.

 

Two issues with ethanol -

Old vehicles don't like it.

Not good for storage.

 

IMO - Ethanol sucks! Especially in older vehicles where it eats at rubber seals and hoses. And never in anything that you don't put a ton of fuel thru on a regular basis. It's just a scam for big ag companies to sell corn. The American Motorcycle Association is helping lead the charge against this sham and the push for E-15.

In upstate NY I always look for non-ethanol. And to help my fellow riders find it, I'd suggest https://www.pure-gas.org/extensions/map.html

That may let you know if there is a place near where you ride.

 

I run Rec 90 non ethanol gas most of the time around here in my bike & my Boat. Sams club has it in Cape Coral, Fl. and only .20 higher than regular. Beats going to a Marina and paying $4.00 a gal. When I'm traveling on the scooter I run what ever high test they have when I need it.. Ethanol is bad on your fuel lines, hell on carbs if it sits untreated for too long... Even treating it is no guarantee...

Thanks for that link Oko, that will be handy!