Ethanol question.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 1
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Ethanol question.
I don't know why I have not noticed this before, but none of the gas pumps in my area (west Michigan) display the amount of ethanol is in the gas. Always used to say 10%. I wonder if this has anything to do with EPAs push for 15% ethanol??? I always try to go to a station listed on pure-gas.org. Lucky for me they list a Mobil not too far from my house.
Addendum: Looks like I must be remembering seeing the labels in another state. Seems Michigan does not require labels.
Addendum: Looks like I must be remembering seeing the labels in another state. Seems Michigan does not require labels.
Last edited by cmosentine; Oct 2, 2013 at 05:27 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,501
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From: Sheboygan,Wi
I have on occasion had to use a 10% blend no other choice. I talked to a engine builder I know and he said it will not hurt to use it but I should never let the bike sit more then a week or so with it in the tank.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,122
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From: Florida
There are those who swear that ethanol is fine and they will say things like how well race cars run with it but that is all irrelevant IMO. Ethanol is made from alcohol which draws moisture from the air and after saturation reaches a certain point the water seperates and lays in bottom of your tank. Race cars never sit around with full tanks of ethanol. Also unless the rubber and plastics were designed for alcohol they can erode and fail. Ethanol is government crap made from all the corn that they subsidize. 
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 62
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From: Alabama..Sand Mountain
Being originally from Nebraska, I ran ethanol in about every gas engine you can think of. Never had any ill affects from it. If summer engines sat all winter, added stabil...and the same for snowblower sitting all summer. Any fuel sitting over time can cause some problems whether it has ethanol or not. I can, however say that I've had issues with non-ethanol fuel in Alabama. My Chevy truck throws a left bank sensor code when I fill up at certain stations...same truck never did it in Nebraska.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
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From: Detroit
I don't know why I have not noticed this before, but none of the gas pumps in my area (west Michigan) display the amount of ethanol is in the gas. Always used to say 10%. I wonder if this has anything to do with EPAs push for 15% ethanol??? I always try to go to a station listed on pure-gas.org. Lucky for me they list a Mobil not too far from my house.
Addendum: Looks like I must be remembering seeing the labels in another state. Seems Michigan does not require labels.
Addendum: Looks like I must be remembering seeing the labels in another state. Seems Michigan does not require labels.
I wouldn't worry about it though on a 2008. US motor vehicle fuel systems have been designed with materials tolerant to 10% for many years now. And oxygen sensor equipped vehicles will pretty much compensate for the slight mixture change.
As far as storage with 10% ethanol, I've stored multiple vehicles for months at a time, and as long as a year (with fuel stabilizer) without a problem. No problem with separation from water absorption. Any gasoline will deteriorate with time though, particularly in a vented container, and the octane rating may go downhill. Fresher is better.
Like Nebraska, Michigan has had it around for a long time, so there's lots of experience with it, and fears are overblown. It's been used in my 2006 since it was new, and I also use it in two supercharged vehicles. Both for over 13 years.
Last edited by Warp Factor; Oct 3, 2013 at 04:09 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
There are those who swear that ethanol is fine and they will say things like how well race cars run with it but that is all irrelevant IMO. Ethanol is made from alcohol which draws moisture from the air and after saturation reaches a certain point the water seperates and lays in bottom of your tank. Race cars never sit around with full tanks of ethanol. Also unless the rubber and plastics were designed for alcohol they can erode and fail. Ethanol is government crap made from all the corn that they subsidize.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
By federal law, E-15 pumps must be labeled. There's not much history with it yet, like there is with E-10 (10% ethanol). More than 95% of the gas sold in the US already contains up to 10% ethanol. In ten states, it's mandatory.
I won't comment on the politics end of it, except to agree that it probably isn't cost effective right now, all things considered.
Brazil has been relying on it heavily as a motor fuel for many years now, but their production from sugar cane, rather than corn, is much more efficient.
I won't comment on the politics end of it, except to agree that it probably isn't cost effective right now, all things considered.
Brazil has been relying on it heavily as a motor fuel for many years now, but their production from sugar cane, rather than corn, is much more efficient.
Last edited by Warp Factor; Oct 3, 2013 at 06:44 AM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
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From: Indiana, USA
I try to avoid ethanol when possible and never run more than 10%, well haven't been forced to decide between walking or riding to the next opportunity either.
Anyway, last summer my ski boat was acting strange, found water in the water seperator drained it and soon after the problem came back. Ultimately found 3" of water in the bottom of my fuel tank. Now I either pay more at the marina for non-ethanol or add Startron to my 10% ethenol
Anyway, last summer my ski boat was acting strange, found water in the water seperator drained it and soon after the problem came back. Ultimately found 3" of water in the bottom of my fuel tank. Now I either pay more at the marina for non-ethanol or add Startron to my 10% ethenol
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Omaha
I wouldn't worry about whether or not the gas contains ethanol or not.
I have ran ethanol from time to time in my Heritage as well as put 87 octane in.
I've never had an issue with doing either.
I do generally run 91 octane without ethanol but that's the way 91 octane comes at my local station.
91 octane is what Harley specifies, and the specification states up to 10% ethanol is fine.
I've run ethanol in everything else for years and have had no problems whatsoever.
My 99 Dodge Ram has 130,000 on it and it's ran 10% ethanol 90+% of the it's life and I'd hop in it right now and drive it across the Country.
I've read some that say that ethanol makes the bike run hotter. If that's the case it doesn't run that much hotter.
As for ethanol drawing in moisture, if the vehicle, bike or not, is sitting idle long enough for moisture to be drawn into the tank you should be using an additive anyway.
I've have never heard or read any study that verifies any lasting negative effects from using ethanol blended gasoline.
Just fill the tank with 91 octane and go ride.
I have ran ethanol from time to time in my Heritage as well as put 87 octane in.
I've never had an issue with doing either.
I do generally run 91 octane without ethanol but that's the way 91 octane comes at my local station.
91 octane is what Harley specifies, and the specification states up to 10% ethanol is fine.
I've run ethanol in everything else for years and have had no problems whatsoever.
My 99 Dodge Ram has 130,000 on it and it's ran 10% ethanol 90+% of the it's life and I'd hop in it right now and drive it across the Country.
I've read some that say that ethanol makes the bike run hotter. If that's the case it doesn't run that much hotter.
As for ethanol drawing in moisture, if the vehicle, bike or not, is sitting idle long enough for moisture to be drawn into the tank you should be using an additive anyway.
I've have never heard or read any study that verifies any lasting negative effects from using ethanol blended gasoline.
Just fill the tank with 91 octane and go ride.