Ethanol

[8n/9n]

In my part of the country pure gassoline is hard to find it all has a certain ethanol content that will screw with seals in certain motors how will ethanol effect the tractor, will it eat away at the seals or is it safe to be used. The other question is how long it will last in the gas tank just sitting in the tank and not being run.
Thanks,
Ben

 

[Ramrod]

It won't be a problem to run in your N tractor, but to store it or any other fuel, you should add stabilizer to the fuel. I put Stabil in all my cans before I get them filled and all my stuff starts right up, even my chain saw and weed eater.

Ramrod

 

[8n/9n]

So using stabil will help the gas keep?

 

[Anonymous-0]

Unleaded with Ethanol (super unleaded) is fine. Do not use E85 though.

 

[Paul in MN]

Am I the only one to have had problems with 10% ethanol??

I have found that this poor excuse for fuel will draw moisture from the air and eventually make the tractor very hard to start. But it will start right up with the aid of a wiff of ether spray. The moisture will reduce the combustability of the gasoline, but the engine will run on it after it is started with ether. If too much moisture gets into the ethanol/gas from sitting too long, it will form an organic acid that eats the brass parts within the carb. I have now found a source on non ethanol gas that is delivered to my bulk tank, but costs about 30 cents/gal more. It has eliminated the fuel problems on all of our gas tractors. Some dealership shops are recognizing the fuel problems with ethanol mix and are recommending the use of straight gas.

Your car probably will not have a problem with 10% ethanol, unless it is driven seldom, or has an older carburated engine. The ethanol mix has a lower boiling point and thus will cause more vapor lock problems on real hot days.

In this state (MN) the laws regarding the use of ethanol are highly charged politically. Corn farmers want to make a ton of money, and have a strong political machine. Instead of addressing and solving the resulting automotive problems, they prefer to deny their existance.

I do not use ethanol mix in my chain saws, weed whips, lawn mowers, garden tractors, or any seasonal use equipment.

Your experiences may differ from mine, especially if you live in an area with very low humidity.

Paul in MN

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 12:27:24 07/18/07) Am I the only one to have had problems with 10% ethanol??

It's been the mandated mix around here for several years and I use it in everything I own without problem. Ethanol is the same thing people used to put in their cars in the winter to avoid gas line freeze up - AKA dry gas.

TOH

 

[Anonymous-0]

They used a pint in ten gallons of gas..Poultry feed is 40% higher now and food prices are on the rise because of corn being diverted to ethanol.You aint seen the worst of it yet.

 

[TheOldHokie]

<font color=red>Poultry feed is 40% higher now and food prices are on the rise because of corn being diverted to ethanol.You aint seen the worst of it yet. </font>

You don't suppose a 40%+ increase in the cost of gasoline and diesel in the last year had any effect on those prices do you? You're absolutely right - we haven't seen the worst of it and it isn't simply ethanol being diverted to fuel use.

TOH