GL: Ethanol in fuel.

[LRZeitlin at aol.com]

Pure ethanol has strong solvent properties. For the last dozen years most 
automobile pump gasoline has been "oxygenated" with 10% enhanol in an effort to 
reduce pollution and raise octane rating. It takes the place of the old lead 
bearing compounds (tetraethyl lead) that are now forbidden. Some fuel system 
components and some of the older fiberglass/resin fuel tanks used plastics 
formulations which were not resistant to ethanol.

There is no turning back the clock. Ethanol will be used in gasoline for the 
forseeable future. If the corn growing states have their way, the amount of 
ethanol will be increased. As far as fuel tanks go, it takes a long time for 10% 
ethanol containing gasoline to waste one away. I wouldn't worry about it for 
the remainder of the season or even for next season but eventually the tank 
will have to be replaced with an ethanol safe one. It's just another addition to 
the "to do" list. Fuel lines and carburator components are another story. 
Plastic fuel lines can deteriorate in a season. Old pump diaphargms and plastic 
carburator parts may also suffer. 

Step one is to contact your engine manufacturer or agent and find out the 
parts likely to be damaged by ethanol containing fuel. Replace these parts with 
ethanol safe ones.

Then replace all the plastic fuel lines with current production automotive 
fuel lines. These are ethanol safe. No need for "marine quality" here. The 
marine market is well behind the automobile market in this respect. Just go to Pep 
Boys and buy the lines.

So far ethanol has not been added in significant quantities to diesel fuel. 
Some users have reprted ethanol like solvent effects with biodiesel. Again 
check with the engine manufacturer.

Times change. Nothing lasts forever. Sails anyone?

Larry Z


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