what does ethanol do to older engines

Ethanol and Classic Cars: What You Need to Know

• Ethanol is an aggressive solvent, which means it can dislodge old build-up and deposits in the fuel system, resulting in clogged filters and screens. ...
• Ethanol has damaging effects on many types of metal, plastic and rubber parts. ...
• Most classic car and truck owners will see an immediate reduction in performance when using E10 vs E0 (gasoline with zero ethanol). ...
• Ethanol absorbs water like crazy! ...

Full Answer

Is ethanol bad for your car’s engine?

But if you’re a hot rodder–particularly a hot rodder with a carbureted or older-style fuel system–ethanol isn’t exactly your friend. Ethanol blends can corrode your carburetor, fuel tank, and other fuel system components and damage engine seals and O-rings, according to industry experts.

Should you use ethanol in older vehicles?

Use of ethanol in older vehicles Many states have jumped on the political bandwagon of pushing ethanol; which may be EXTREMELY DETRIMENTAL to older vehicles. Without going into the politics and/or cost both fiscal and to the environment of using ethanol, this article is designed to help at least keep the older engines running with ethanol fuel.

What happens when you add ethanol to gasoline?

Gasoline and ethanol can oxidize similar to the process of iron rusting. Adding ethanol to fuel changes the chemical properties of gasoline. Fuel oxidation creates water, peroxides, and acids causing corrosion of any metal parts in a small spark engine.

What happens if you put alcohol in an old car engine?

Additionally, alcohol in an old engine can start to dislodge the build-up of carbon deposits from inside the engine. That may sound like a good thing, but that buildup can actually move into places where it chokes the engine’s fuel supply.

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Is ethanol free gas better for older engines?

Ethanol can also corrode fiberglass and rubber, often found in classic cars. To keep your classic car in great shape, we recommend filling it with non-ethanol gas.

Can old cars use ethanol gas?

Unfortunately, running vintage cars on contemporary gasoline containing ethanol can create problems for classic car owners. Most of these cars run best on pure gasoline, not gasoline treated with ethanol.

Does ethanol cause engine problems?

Ethanol can cause several types of damage to the engine in your vehicle. Your vehicle's fuel intake components can be damaged. In addition, ethanol can cause damage to the fuel pump in your vehicle. These repairs and replacements can range from a few hundred dollars to more than $1,000 to take care of properly.

Does ethanol reduce engine life?

"Ethanol has inherent properties that can cause corrosion of metal parts, including carburetors, degradation of plastic and rubber components, harder starting, and reduced engine life," says Marv Klowak, global vice president of research and development for Briggs & Stratton, the largest manufacturer of small engines.

Is there an additive for E10 fuel for older cars?

Will E10 cause problems for cars in storage? When it comes to storing your car, if it is older than 1996 and doesn't have a catalytic converter, you can use a lead replacement additive such as Castrol's Classic Valvemaster, which can help prevent corrosion as it also contains an ethanol stabiliser.

What happens if I put ethanol in my gas tank?

Continually filling a standard gasoline car with this high-ethanol fuel can result in serious fuel system corrosion. Plus, when you accidentally put E85 fuel in a car, it may void your engine warranty. That means you could be on the hook for the repairs, even if your car is brand new.

Does ethanol damage fuel injectors?

Ethanol can cause fuel injector problems - gel, clogging and rust.

Can any car run on ethanol?

There are no passenger cars designed to take E100 (but some racing cars are) so it could damage your car engine. Even Flexible-Fuel vehicles (FFVs) – which can run on petrol or ethanol – can only take up to E85. 100% ethanol is hard to come by. Technically, it's drinkable as a very strong alcoholic beverage.

How can you prevent ethanol damage to small engines?

Canned Fuel The only way to prevent ethanol's potentially damaging effects on an engine's internal components, Rassel says, is by using an ethanol-free fuel source. These canned fuels contain zero ethanol and are made by most small-engine manufacturers.

Does 15% ethanol damage car engines?

The EPA and an academic study have said that fuel containing 15% ethanol is safe for cars, trucks and sport-utility vehicles made in 2001 or later — which make up more than 90% of the vehicles on U.S. roads.

What are the negative effects of ethanol?

Higher-ethanol blends still produce significant levels of air pollution, reduce fuel efficiency, jack up corn and other food prices, and have been treated with skepticism by some car manufacturers for the damage they do to engines.

Is 10% ethanol good for your car?

Ethanol can damage many parts of your car at concentrations above 10%. Ethanol can destroy gas tanks, fuel pumps, gaskets, and attract moisture into your fuel. Engines can be completely ruined over time if they're not designed for ethanol.

Can I run E85 in my classic car?

The basic rule is E10 is ok for everything, but E85 can only be used safely in cars that are FlexFuel compatible. So unless you have a FlexFuel vehicle, don't use E85.

Which cars can use ethanol fuel?

Power Source(s):VehicleFuel TypeChevrolet Silverado 2WD 2023Ethanol (E85)Chevrolet Silverado 4WD 2023Ethanol (E85)Ford Super Duty F250, F350, F450CNG - Bi-fuel | Ethanol (E85) | CNG - Compressed Natural Gas | Propane | Propane - Bi-fuelFord Transit 250/350 Cargo VanEthanol (E85)4 more rows

Can normal cars take 10% ethanol?

E10 is a low-level blend composed of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. It is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in any conventional, gasoline-powered vehicle.

Why do older cars need leaded gas?

Classic-car owners sometimes ask if they need to add lead substitute to their gasoline. For decades, Tetraethyllead was added to gasoline to reduce engine knock and help prevent valve-seat recession. Once lead's negative effects became clear, regulators began phasing it out in the 1970s.

What is it about older boats that make them more susceptible to ethanol's well-known problems?

Over the past few years — since ethanol has become common for boat engines — Seaworthy has received hundreds of calls and e-mails complaining about problems that ethanol has created for their engines. The majority of these inquiries have one thing in common: They concern older engines, those made before around 1990, and a high percentage of them involve outboard engines. Seaworthy talked to Ed Alyanak, Mercury Marine's manager of engine test and planning development, and Frank Kelley, Mercury's fuels and lubricants technical specialist — who between them have over 60 years of experience — to find out why older engines suffer more than newer ones and what owners of these engines can do to minimize the problems.

Why does winter blend have different vapor pressures?

Winter blends of fuel have different vapor pressures than summer blends (whether they have ethanol or not). Vapor lock can be caused by using winter blends in hot weather so try to top off in the fall before winter blends are sold.

Why are aluminum carburetors so hard to start?

Older aluminum carburetors tend to suffer from the corrosive effects of ethanol much more than newer ones, which are made out of more resistant alloys. Corrosion can block tiny orifices, causing hard starting and rough running.

Can E10 cause problems?

While E10 can cause some problems, especially in older engines, it's often used as an excuse when the real problem can't easily be found. Tired carburetors, faulty ignition systems, and worn engines can mimic the symptoms of E10 problems.

Can ethanol cause phase separation?

Ethanol attracts water from the air but it wouldn't likely be enough to cause phase separation — condensation and leaks from deck fittings can, though. Ethanol can cause the water to separate if there is enough already there. The best advice is to keep the tank topped off to reduce condensation, and make sure there is no way water can leak into the gas tank, either through the deck fill or sending unit cover.

Is E10 better than E0?

E10 has about 3 percent less energy than E0, which is hardly noticeable performance-wise. Something else — a nicked or bent prop, fouled sparkplugs, for instance — is a more likely culprit.

Can gas gum up carburetors?

Four year-old gas — any gas — can gum up carburetors and prevent an engine from starting. (It's good practice to empty the carburetor completely whenever the boat is being laid up for more than a few weeks.)

What percentage of ethanol is used in a hybrid car?

Some vehicles, like this Ford Escape Hybrid E85, are specially designed to run on a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. But how will your car's engine tolerate even 15 percent ethanol? Check out these Future Hybrid Car Pictures to learn more!

Is E15 cheaper than E10?

If E15 is cheaper to supply than E10, drivers will gradually be forced to buy it.

Is ethanol good for gasoline?

Mike Allen of Popular Mechanics says that under ideal conditions, a gasoline-ethanol blend is perfectly acceptable. But consumers cannot control those conditions, and they have no way of knowing if the fuel they're buying has been contaminated. All gasoline is susceptible to changes due to weather and moisture content, but ethanol exacerbates this problem. A higher concentration of alcohol in a gas tank (any gas tank -- at the production facilities, the tankers traveling on the highway, the storage tanks at a gas station, your car's reservoir and even the red plastic can sitting on the floor in your garage) means that the alcohol can grab and hold more water than straight gasoline. If the water concentration gets high enough, the alcohol and water will drop out of suspension, turning the fuel into a globby mess that your car's engine can't use. And it can happen at any stage of the transport, storage and usage process -- even getting worse as it goes along. In short, ethanol increases the chances that your car will be damaged trying to process and burn contaminated gasoline.

Does E15 take a hit on gas mileage?

The study also showed that cars running on E15 take a hit on gas mileage -- so they require more fuel to travel the same distance, which counteracts the benefits of diluting it in the first place. Some organizations are trying to delay the launch of E15 until the public understands how the change will affect them.

Does corn ethanol reduce car emissions?

Corn ethanol hardly reduces a car's toxic emissions at all -- in fact, 3 percent is about the best that can be expected [source: Garrett ]. Other sources, like sugar and hemp, give much better statistics (upwards of a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse emissions).

Does ethanol damage gasoline?

In short, ethanol increases the chances that your car will be damaged trying to process and burn contaminated gasoline. Let's assume that most of the time the fuel's environmental conditions aren't seriously compromised, its ethanol stays in suspension, and the gasoline is properly reaching its destination.

Is gasoline ethanol a good blend?

Mike Allen of Popular Mechanics says that under ideal conditions, a gasoline-ethanol blend is perfectly acceptable. But consumers cannot control those conditions, and they have no way of knowing if the fuel they're buying has been contaminated.

What does Callis caution against?

Callis also cautions against additives that are high in alcohol.

What percentage of gasoline is ethanol?

Ethanol is found in 95 percent of gasoline in the United States. Typical ethanol fuel formulations are E10 (10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline) and E15 (15 percent ethanol), which is steadily gaining momentum in some states. Ethanol is lauded by some for being a clean-burning, renewable fuel.

What is drive racing oil?

For its part, Diehl says Driven Racing Oil products are strictly corrosion inhibitors designed to prevent any damage or performance-robbing deposits to mechanical components.

Why buy fuel from a busy gas station?

Buy fuel from a busy gas station–higher throughput ensures that fuel in their storage tanks in fresher.

Why is deposit control additive required in gasoline?

The EPA sets the minimum amount of deposit control additive required in motor gasoline because of the significant negative effect of engine deposits on exhaust emissions. Request an MSDS for any product you might be considering purchasing and look in the contents section for any alcohols or butyl cellosolve.

What is Star Tron additive?

Star brite, for example, says its Star Tron additive uses a special enzyme formula that reduces the water droplet size throughout the fuel. This allows more of the water to be burned off as the engine operates and prevents water build-up from reaching levels that create phase separation.

Can you use ethanol in an older car?

The optimal solution is to not use ethanol in an older vehicle. However, since 95 percent of all gasoline contains some level of ethanol, that can be a huge hassle and expense. Many aftermarket companies offer fuel additives to combat the effects of ethanol, but Diehl and Callis both caution you to do your homework.

How long can you store ethanol?

It is not uncommon to have to store for more than 90 days. To avoid any issues, make sure your fuel tank is completely full at the time of storage and add a fuel additive that stops water separation. Again, make sure there is no additional ethanol in the additive.

What is the most common blend of ethanol?

Today, almost all gasoline being sold in the United States contains ethanol. The most common blend is referred to as E10. It is comprised of a 1 to 10 or a 10 percent mixture of ethanol added to pure gasoline.

What happens when gasoline is absorbed by water?

As the fuel begins to absorb water the gasoline will separate into layers. Gasoline will rise to the top leaving a mixture of ethanol and water at the bottom of your tank. If you were to start your classic and your fuel pump inlet is down in the water/ethanol layer, you can cause some serious damage to your motor.This can be a major issue ...

Is E10 ethanol?

E10 is gasoline with 10% ethanol, E15 is gasoline with 15% ethanol content, and E85 is a fuel that may contain up to 85% fuel ethanol. The basic rule is E10 is ok for everything, but E85 can only be used safely in cars that are FlexFuel compatible.

Can you use ethanol on long cruises?

That can certainly put a dent in your fuel budget if going on long cruises. To combat this, add an ethanol fuel treatment to your gas. Be sure to use additives that do not have ethanol or alcohol in them as that will only worsen the problem. Ethanol absorbs water like crazy!

Does E10 gas reduce mileage?

Because simple alcohol only produces about two-thirds of the power of gasoline when burned, all vehicles are going to notice a reduction in gas mileage.Classic car owners may not be concerned with gas mileage, but in some cases, it has been reported to reduce efficiency by up to 10%. That can certainly put a dent in your fuel budget if going on long cruises. To combat this, add an ethanol fuel treatment to your gas. Be sure to use additives that do not have ethanol or alcohol in them as that will only worsen the problem.

Can ethanol cause clogged fuel filters?

Well there is still a lot of debate about the problems that ethanol can cause in older cars, but here is what we do know for sure…. Ethanol is an aggressive solvent, which means it can dislodge old build-up and deposits in the fuel system, resulting in clogged filters and screens. To solve this issue, be sure to change your fuel filters ...

Why do gaskets break down?

Many older (say 15+, depends on make) vehicles have rubber seals and gaskets that chemically break down due to the alcohol in the gas. That causes fuel leaks, fuel pump failures, and potentially fires. In newer cars, the seals are fine, but 100% gasoline still leaves behinds some residue (termed varnish) in the tank and lines.

Does ethanol cause residue?

ethanol gas can cause increased residue in fuel lines, filters, and injectors.

Is the E10 year round?

Define old? The People’s Republic of New Jersey has mandated E10 year round for the last couple of years. Besides a decrease in mpg (5-10%), I noticed my 1993 Caprice (5.0 V8) no longer pings in the summer when the A/C is running. I have had no fuel system related problems since E10 was mandated. However, I can’t speak for any cars older than this.

Can you use E10 on a boat?

The real problem is with boats, RV’s, and small engines (lawn equipment). Things that sit for sustained periods without use. For those, don’t use E10 if you can avoid it.

What Is Ethanol?

Ethanol is a biofuel, an alcohol-based formula derived from sugar. Common sources used to create ethanol include corn and sugar cane. It is essentially a chemical compound made up of methylene and hydroxyl. The Ethanol molecule is a volatile, flammable compound similar to gasoline.

How much ethanol is acceptable for biofuel?

Many biofuel and ethanol proponents point to Briggs & Stratton’s fuel recommendation statement. “Gasoline up to 10 percent ethanol (E10, gasohol) or up to 15 percent MTBE is acceptable.” Nowhere in the statement does it say ethanol-blended gasoline is “recommended.”

What is E10 in gasoline?

E10 – approximately 10% ethanol by volume has been added to unleaded gasoline. This blend will often be designated with a label “may contain up to 10% Ethanol”.

How much money did the Renewable Fuels Association invest in lobbying efforts in 2018?

Don’t underestimate the influence of politics on the expansion of Ethanol usage. The Renewable Fuels Association invested over $1 million in lobbying efforts in 2018 and biofuels trade group Growth Energy put forth $1.37 million as well, urging the now successful year-round sale of E15 among other goals (source).

Why is the E15 banned?

This seasonal restriction was aimed at reducing smog but it had an unintentional benefit for owners of gas-powered outdoor power equipment. Because the summer months are when the use of outdoor equipment and tools are at their highest, the ban helped to prevent us from absent-mindedly filling our tanks with too high of a concentration of ethanol mix.

What was the impact of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 on the American economy?

The Rise Of Ethanol In American Fuels. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 radically changed the landscape of alternative fuels and America’s dependence on foreign oil. State and local governments were compelled to implement initiatives to reach alternative fuel levels set by the federal government.

What are the problems with ethanol?

Other known issues include phase separation, vapor lock, corrosion, oxidation, and altering of the combustion and compression ratios.

How to adjust a carburetor?

The only way to adjust is to hand-wind springs of a different tension using the method of trial and error. It is often much easier and less expensive to simply replace the carburetor with a more conventional unit that may be adjusted, especially if one is subjected to E-15. If one has a more conventional carburetor (no air valve) then the suggestions for post-1935 carburetors may be followed.

Why does my carburator run lean?

Carburetors with vacuum metering systems may need a recalibrated vacuum spring. Failure to make these changes will cause the engine to run lean. A lean running engine will run hotter than normal, and this can cause premature failure of valves, warpage or cracking of cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds, etc.

What is the difference between E-10 and E-15?

E-10 should be viewed as a liquid containing 90 percent fuel, and 10 percent inert filler; E-15 a liquid containing 85 percent fuel and 15 percent inert filler. Also, while the volatility of ethanol is less than that of modern gasoline, the mixture of the two seems to increase the volatility of both. For carburetors manufactured ...

Why does my car run cooler after calibration?

It should be pointed out that the engine will probably run slightly cooler than normal AFTER the calibration changes have been made due to the additional oxygen in the ethanol-laced fuel. There is much chatter on the web concerning the use of neopreme-tipped fuel valves with ethanol not holding up.

What is the common mixture of gasoline and ethanol?

The common mixtures AT THIS TIME are E-10, E-15, and E-85. The number after the E is the approximate percentage of ethanol mixed with gasoline.

When did carburetors come out?

For carburetors manufactured after about 1935 and a vehicle that is mainly driven at altitudes of sea level to 4000 feet, we suggest the following calibration changes to use ethanol fuel:

Can you replace a carburetor with a more conventional carburetor?

If one has a more conventional carburetor (no air valve) then the suggestions for post-1935 carburetors may be followed.

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• Let's assume that most of the time the fuel's environmental conditions aren't seriously compromised, its ethanol stays in suspension, and the gasoline is properly reaching its destination. The ethanol in the fuel is still doing damage. Many older fuel system components weren't designed to resist alcohol's corrosive properties, and as ethanol travel...

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