ETHANOL 101 courtesy of Rolling Thunder Cycles

What you need to know about E10/ethanol fuel

Problem #1

Ethanol is a powerful solvent and when first introduced it strips away any gums, varnish and other buildup found in fuel tanks and fuel delivery systems, This debris drops into the fuel and leads to clogged filters, injectors and carburetors.

Problem #2

Ethanol attracts moisture from the atmosphere; chemically it forms an ethanol/water molecule. Water in the fuel causes engines to run rough, stall and can lead to internal damage to engine components. Fuel will naturally hold .05% water in suspension, but if water levels exceed this threshold, the water drops out of suspension. The water/ethanol molecules are heavier than the fuel and drop to the bottom of the tank. This is called phase separation.  Ethanol provides a significant amount of the fuel’s octane, so when the ethanol separates and drops to the bottom of the tank, the remaining fuel is left without enough octane to properly operate the engine.  Plus, the ethanol/water mixture is only partially combustible which can lead to severe engine problems.

Problem #3

Ethanol and gasoline do not chemically bond, instead they are held together in a weak suspension. Over a short period of time the E10 fuel begins to break down. The fuel begins forming solids which can clog the fuel delivery system and reduce octane ratings.

Problem #4

Ethanol does not produce as much energy as gasoline, losing up to 20+% of its power.  E10 Fuels result in decreased performance, reduced throttle response and greatly reduced fuel economy, un-burnt fuel leads to carbon deposits.

To combat these problems we recommend the use of a fuel stabilizer/conditioner.  Be careful of what additive you use, many are alcohol-based and adding alcohol to E10 can lead to additional engine problems. The additive we sell is designed to prevent the fuel’s breakdown for up to 1 year, prevent the formation of fuel related gums and varnishes, counter ethanol-induced octane problems, ensure easy starting after storage, absorb moisture to fight corrosion and contain oil to provide extra lubricity and protection. You get all this protection at just ½ ounce per gallon.  Be sure to use fuel stabilizer/conditioner with every fill up.