New Gas,...BIG problems

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by brian eiland, Jun 14, 2014.

  1. Petros
    Joined: Oct 2007
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    Petros Senior Member

    the fastest way to lower prices, and improve quality, is to increase competition and choices for the consumer. Though lately whenever the government gets invoked, just the opposite occur; few choices, less competition, higher prices. You see that is how the EPA, heath care, and the FTC and many other government agencies operate. Up next: the internet.

    Back OT: There is a website that lists gas stations that sell ethanol free gasoline across the country, usually a bit more costly but I try to buy this gasoline for my small engines (chain saws, lawn mowers, etc). It runs better too. All of the small carburetors on my small engines have been corroded away by the federal gasoline (I switched my generator to run on propane, cheaper and less maintenance). try www.pure-gas.org
     
  2. rasorinc
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    rasorinc Senior Member

    Thanks Much.
     
  3. brian eiland
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    brian eiland Senior Member

    You've got that right :!:
     
  4. brian eiland
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    brian eiland Senior Member

    And you have that correct as well. :!:
     
  5. brian eiland
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    brian eiland Senior Member

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel_in_the_United_States
     
  6. parkland
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    parkland Senior Member

    Ethanol blended gas is junk, we only run premium which is ethanol free, and despite the higher cost, the vehicles we have are all getting much higher fuel economy and just seem to run better.
     
  7. FAST FRED
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    FAST FRED Senior Member

    Folks that live in areas where un-poisined gas is NOT available , simply need to head out to any small airport.

    They sell non ethanol gas , and its just like the old days for your mower or motorcycle.
     
  8. parkland
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    parkland Senior Member

    Ethanol gas it total rubbish.

    First of all, fuel economy isn't that great. Despite scientifically based promises, and BTU count, the end resulting fuel seems sometimes to be LESS of the combined parts.

    Secondly, the octane rating of the ethanol mixed gasoline is achieved by the ethanol itself. So, if it seperates, your left with ethanol, and very low octane gasoline. Yes, if you figured it out, it's cheap crap gasoline, watered down with ethanol, and sold for a premium price.

    Nice, isn't it.
     
  9. upchurchmr
    Joined: Feb 2011
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    upchurchmr Senior Member

    "....sometimes seems to be..."

    Nice scientific evaluation.

    Now tell me what the actual octane of the gas actually is instead of a BS statement.
     
  10. parkland
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    parkland Senior Member


    They said about 84 octane on the news.

    Sometimes seems to be- because some engines run better than others on the fuel. Good luck finding out exactly which ones, it's not a science, it's more heresay and what people tell you, and what you figure out on your own.
     
  11. upchurchmr
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    upchurchmr Senior Member

    I trust the news as far as I trust politicians.

    I had a friend who's hobby was drag racing.
    Got his car all built and then went to testing gas.
    Purchased a couple of gallons from about 6 local stations.
    Turns out his best 1/4 mile times came from a no-name station.
    Apparently the octane varied quite a bit between different manufacturers.
    It was all advertised at the same rating.

    Not quite scientific but some kind of actual data.
     
  12. parkland
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    parkland Senior Member

    http://www.fuel-testers.com/gasoline_octane_and_ethanol_E10.html

    Regarding octane and E10 gas, buying sub-octane gas is more common, then "extra" octane.

    Since ethanol is considered an octane enhancing additive, if/when E10 sold has less than exactly 10%, the result will be sub-octane gas (less than number stated at the pump), AND,
    When E10 gas phase-separates (high octane ethanol drops to the bottom of the tank with water), the upper tank layer octane typically drops 2.5 points. E.G. 87 octane gas purchased now becomes sub-octane 84.5 gasoline. E10 gas is available in all grades, including regular-87, premium-91, racing-014, etc.
    Testing a fuel sample from tank bottom for alcohol percent will confirm gas contaminated with water, and is not safe for use. After phase-separation upper tank layer typically drops from 10% ethanol to 0-2%, and lower tank layer typically test 60-95 percent alcohol (can/will damage engine).


    Pretty much exactly what I heard a while back.
    All our stuff gets premium; not because it needs premium, but because regular has ethanol in it.
    When we switched, vehicles and equipment start easier, and get better mileage.
    Never buying regular with ethanol in it again.
     
  13. messabout
    Joined: Jan 2006
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    messabout Senior Member

    There is too much emphasis placed on Octane rating. Your car will not get better mileage or produce more power with fuels with higher than necessary octane fuel.

    Octane additives are for the purpose of preventing or at least minimizing engine "knock". Knock is the result of preignition or alternately detonation. Those are not the same thing. Pre-ignition is when the air fuel mixture is ignited before it should be ignited. Like too much spark advance. Detonation is a violent burning of unspent fuel after initial ignition has taken place.

    Detonation can be destructive to engines as the secondary blast, call it an explosion if you like, is very powerful and tends to be localized in a discreet area of the combustion chamber. Octane enhancement tends to mitigate any such ill timed thermal events.

    Buying 95 when your engine is happy with 87 is a waste of money. Think of it this way......If you wear size eight shoes, you could fit into size ten track shoes but you won't be able to run any faster.
     
  14. parkland
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    parkland Senior Member

    Yeah but a lot of times premium fuel is non ethanol blended, and myself, and many others, noted that some vehicles perform much better economy wise with premium. Some engines do not like ethanol blends. I am not the only one to notice this.

    None of my vehicles require premium, but they run way better on it, not because of the octane rating, but because of the lack of ethanol. The mileage increase easily makes up the cost difference.
     

  15. FAST FRED
    Joined: Oct 2002
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    Location: Conn in summers , Ortona FL in winter , with big d

    FAST FRED Senior Member

    Once again Gov creates a problem , with its use of Force and Fraud ,

    and decides it should be re elected if it makes a portion of the problem go away.

    Term limits might solve some of this.
     
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