Pure Gas vs. Ethanol Added

[petegz28]

I wasn't aware that some gas stations still sell "pure gasoline". I found one over the weekend and yes, it cost a little extra but holy cafe standards, Batman!, I'm getting and additional 4 mpg. What the hell? Anyone else using pure gasoline in their cars??

[jonzie04]

Originally Posted by penguinz

HY-Vee's Premium is ethanol free.

yep.


i love ethanol fwiw though. i run it in my "race car"

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by jonzie04

yep.


i love ethanol fwiw though. i run it in my "race car"

For a race car that is tuned to run ehtonal it makes sense. For the daily driver it does not since it results in fewer miles per gallon and is bad for the environment (at least it is in the US where they inefficiently use corn to make it).

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by jonzie04

yep.


i love ethanol fwiw though. i run it in my "race car"

I think you are referring to Alcohol or Methanol. Ethanol brings down the octane level. That is the reason it is not in 91 or above.

[BigMeatballDave]

Also, if your vehicle is FlexFuel, I doubt you'll see any damage from ethanol anyway. It's designed for it.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

I think you are referring to Alcohol or Methanol. Ethanol brings down the octane level. That is the reason it is not in 91 or above.

This is incorrect.

In fact, several teams in national and international racing competitions use ethanol because of its high octane and exceptional performance. Since 2010, nearly all gasoline sold in the United States has contained 10% ethanol.
FACT: With a 113 octane rating, ethanol is the highest performance fuel on the market and keeps today's high-compression engines running smoothly.

- See more at: http://www.ethanolrfa.org/pages/etha....znqawUI3.dpuf

[jonzie04]

Originally Posted by penguinz

For a race car that is tuned to run ehtonal it makes sense. For the daily driver it does not since it results in fewer miles per gallon and is bad for the environment (at least it is in the US where they inefficiently use corn to make it).

but it smells so good. that makes sense, you're right though. i think that car probably gets about 8 mpg.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

I've always used gasoline with 10-15% ethanol. Never had issues. I haven't seen pure gasoline sold in decades.

Plus, some ethanol is good during the winter because it helps prevent freezing.

What, freeze? Gasoline doesn’t freeze until -40 to -50 C, -40 to – 58 F.
Are you really getting down that low?

[jonzie04]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

I think you are referring to Alcohol or Methanol. Ethanol brings down the octane level. That is the reason it is not in 91 or above.

E85 has a ridiculous amount of octane, not sure how much, but i've run water, meth setups, as well as, and i'm able to run quite a bit more timing on e85 than i could on the meth/water setup.


edit. nvm penguinz has it covered. 113 octane.

do you know if thats e85 blend or 100% ethanol penguinz?

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

What, freeze? Gasoline doesn’t freeze until -40 to -50 C, -40 to – 58 F.
Are you really getting down that low?

I think he was referring to water condensation in the fuel line freezing.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by Fairplay

Where are the pure gas stations in Kansas City?

pure-gas.org

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by penguinz

I think he was referring to water condensation in the fuel line freezing.

I was kind of wondering, ethanol draws moisture and he was also asking about Heet additive. Just figured I would give him a chance to explain.

[jspchief]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

You do realize that all Kum and Go sells gas that has ethanol added? Specifically to the 87. The high octane fuels are the ones that do not have Ethanol.

Not all gas sold at kum&go has ethanol. At least not in Iowa. All gas in Iowa is clearly marked if it has ethanol.

As for whether it's bad for your car, everyone I know uses it. It's bad for small engines, but the effect it has on motors is pretty exaggerated.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by jonzie04

E85 has a ridiculous amount of octane, not sure how much, but i've run water, meth setups, as well as, and i'm able to run quite a bit more timing on e85 than i could on the meth/water setup.


edit. nvm penguinz has it covered. 113 octane.

do you know if thats e85 blend or 100% ethanol penguinz?

I'm assuming 100%.
If I had easier access to E85 I would like to build a drag toy with a drunken motor because that stuff is basically race fuel you can get at the pump. But no one locally sells it and as sure as I build a toy for it the government subsidies will end and the stuff will dry up.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by jspchief

Not all gas sold at kum&go has ethanol. At least not in Iowa. All gas in Iowa is clearly marked if it has ethanol.

As for whether it's bad for your car, everyone I know uses it. It's bad for small engines, but the effect it has on motors is pretty exaggerated.

In Kansas at least, pumps no longer have to be clearly marked as to whether they contain ethanol or not. 87 to 89 octane are now assumed to have 10% ethanol, the only non-ethanol fuel available is premium.
If a motor is prepared for it the damage is mitigated, just that most small engines are still working with old fuel line and gasket material that deteriorates with the use of ethanol.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

You do realize that all Kum and Go sells gas that has ethanol added? Specifically to the 87. The high octane fuels are the ones that do not have Ethanol.

Not true