Shitty Texas fuel!

stkjock

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The issue with e-10 is most cars aren't made to handle it. Not really anyways.

:asshat:

Yet every new car is warranted for 10% E fuel and it's been used nearly exclusively to lower emissions since 2003

but yea, most cars can't deal with it... :thud:

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, directed DOE to assess the feasibility of using intermediate ethanol blends in the existing vehicle fleet.[58] The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) evaluated the potential impacts on legacy vehicles and other engines.[58] In a preliminary report released in October 2008, NREL described the effects of E10, E15 and E20 on tailpipe and evaporative emissions, catalyst and engine durability, vehicle driveability, engine operability, and vehicle and engine materials.[58][59] This preliminary report found that none of the vehicles displayed a malfunction indicator light; no fuel filter plugging symptoms were observed; no cold start problems were observed at 24 °C (75 °F) and 10 °C (50 °F) under laboratory conditions; and all test vehicles exhibited a loss in fuel economy proportional to ethanol's lower energy density. For example, E20 reduced average fuel economy by 7.7% when compared to gas-only (E0) test vehicles.[58]
 

BruceH

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No. No special mods are needed other than for more fuel which is needed with most performance vehicles.

Like I said, I've been using it since 1979. Never had an issue. I don't know of anyone who ever had an issue either. I have heard lots of people say not to use it.

I can and have switched to e85 with just a tune change. I have stock fuel lines, Gt500 injectors and fuel pumps. All unmodified Ford parts.

The issue with e-10 is most cars aren't made to handle it. Not really anyways.

We're all aware special considerations have to be made with pumps and other fuel components to run e-85 problem free. It's a fantastic fuel, but it takes a little more prep work to really shine. Just my $0.02
 

skwerl

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There were lots of issues when ethanol first came out. I run small two cycle equipment for a living (chainsaws, blowers, etc) and when ethanol came out it was incompatible with the rubber carb gaskets and fuel lines used at the time. So all of a sudden every single hand held two cycle piece of equipment was subject to fuel issues. The ones that didn't plug up from dissolving carb gaskets would either burn up from running lean or quit running altogether due to the water absorbed by the alcohol in the fuel. Gas went from being good for 6-8 months to only being good for 30 days. Boats had horrible problems with moisture absorption in the gas, which is why you can still buy marine fuel without ethanol.

As time went by and manufacturing caught up with the fuel requirements, problems went away. But fifteen years later there's still a few diehards crying about ethanol fuel because that's what's been engrained in their head.
 

DOFORLIFE

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I do alot of driving. I used to drive 214 miles a day round trip. In my 09 auto gt I got an average of 2 more miles per gallon on on the highway and never had any issues. Since I go my 13 GT it's only had en in it twice. Runs great with 91-93 octane. If en was more available I would build a super high compression coyote without the lose in mpg.
 

Dubstep Shep

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No. No special mods are needed other than for more fuel which is needed with most performance vehicles.

Like I said, I've been using it since 1979. Never had an issue. I don't know of anyone who ever had an issue either. I have heard lots of people say not to use it.

I can and have switched to e85 with just a tune change. I have stock fuel lines, Gt500 injectors and fuel pumps. All unmodified Ford parts.

So you're telling me that ethanol doesn't effect the fuel system differently? Uhhhh.... I've seen quite a few examples that would seem contrary... I'm not gonna argue about it though. My experience is different than yours and we get along so I'm not gonna sacrifice that for an internet argument lol.
 

Dubstep Shep

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There were lots of issues when ethanol first came out. I run small two cycle equipment for a living (chainsaws, blowers, etc) and when ethanol came out it was incompatible with the rubber carb gaskets and fuel lines used at the time. So all of a sudden every single hand held two cycle piece of equipment was subject to fuel issues. The ones that didn't plug up from dissolving carb gaskets would either burn up from running lean or quit running altogether due to the water absorbed by the alcohol in the fuel. Gas went from being good for 6-8 months to only being good for 30 days. Boats had horrible problems with moisture absorption in the gas, which is why you can still buy marine fuel without ethanol.

As time went by and manufacturing caught up with the fuel requirements, problems went away. But fifteen years later there's still a few diehards crying about ethanol fuel because that's what's been engrained in their head.

On this note, the chainsaws and mowers I used to use were WELL over a decade old when I was doing that five years ago. I ended up having to tear down and rebuild more than one of those machines.
 

TexasBlownV8

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Yup, the ethanol is hell on small engines, especially older ones and cheapy newer ones. My Dad works on them a little, and 95% of the issues are like skwerl said, fuel lines and carb issues due to gas.
In my weedeater, the fuel hoses from the fuel tank just fell apart after a couple of years.
This is not to mention the need for older engines to use lead-based fuel additives for lubrication, although most of those have since gone bye-bye.

But, the fuel systems on our cars are far better!

As far as lower octane fuel, well, that's just west Texas and southwest US. Just have to be a little careful not to go racing WOT on lower octane. Highway and driving around, not such a big deal.
 

Deez-67

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I only run 100% in my cars. My 67 and 96 it's a no brainer. My 05 I've had to do it a few times but I try to only put in as much as I need to get where I can fill it up with 100%. I've had it throw itself in engine safety mode twice both times after running one or more full tanks of 10%. I can't say if that was way it happen but I have never had it happen again running 100%.

Now my wife's car I'll run the shitties cheapest crap gas I can find. lol
 

Sky Render

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As far as lower octane fuel, well, that's just west Texas and southwest US. Just have to be a little careful not to go racing WOT on lower octane. Highway and driving around, not such a big deal.

Could someone explain why this is?

I've been to SLC and Denver, which are at higher altitudes and only sell 85, 87, and 91, but I've never seen a station only sell 90 octane.
 

Riptide

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We have 85,87,91 where I live in MT. Only costco sells 93


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TexasBlownV8

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There are stations in the northwest part of Texas that sell those lower octane grades, lower that what is sold around here. Or, they may be the same gas mixtures, but measured differently at the higher altitudes?
 

Sky Render

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High altitude areas sell lower octane because allegedly the lower atmospheric pressure equals less air in the cylinder and thus less chance of detonation. I don't buy that myself, but whatevers.

Is western Texas high altitude?
 

Deez-67

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IMO I wouldn't worry as much about being few octane off what your tune as much as putting 10 ethanol in.
 

19COBRA93

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High altitude areas sell lower octane because allegedly the lower atmospheric pressure equals less air in the cylinder and thus less chance of detonation. I don't buy that myself, but whatevers.

Is western Texas high altitude?

That sounds pretty legit if you ask me. This high altitude stuff really sucks for making HP.
 

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