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Running Ethanol? Think Twice


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#1 Nvyseal

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Posted 26 May 2009 - 02:21 AM

images/news/generic.jpgNot only is ethanol proving to be a dud as a fuel substitute but there is increasing evidence that it is destroying engines in large numbers

Scott Morrison is the owner of the City Garage chain in North Texas and he related the story of his technical director's run-in with ethanol; in December he filled up his E85 Flex Fuel Chevy Suburban at the Exxon station in Ovilla, just south of Dallas. His Suburban died on the spot, because even an E85-equipped vehicle will not run on the 100% pure ethanol that Exxon station was pumping that day. In that case it was not Exxon's fault but a mistake at the distribution center, and Exxon (XOM) quickly made good for the cost of repairs.

On Jan. 16 of this year, Lexus ordered a massive recall of certain 2006 to 2008 models, including the GS Series, IS and LS sedans. According to the recall notice, the problem is that "Ethanol fuels with low moisture content will corrode the internal surface of the fuel rails." In layman's terms, ethanol causes pinpoint leaks in the fuel system; when leaking fuel catches your engine on fire, that's an exciting way to have your insurance company buy your Lexus. Using ethanol will cost Toyota ™ untold millions.
An Unpublicized Trend

Though the media is ignoring it, one can easily find many stories on BMW (BMWG.DE) blogs relating similar problems with fuel systems damaged by the use of ethanol. Certainly that was the case with Christi Jordan and her 2007 Mini. For weeks it was difficult to start; Moritz BMW in Arlington, Tex., inspected it and found severe carbon buildup inside the engine. On her second trip to the mechanics they decided to test the ethanol content of Christi's fuel and found it was much higher than the federally mandated limit of 10%. This time the fuel pump had been destroyed by the ethanol. The repair bill came to $1,200: As in all cases where vehicles are damaged by ethanol, legally the factory warranty no longer applied.

Read the whole story @ Business Week


#2 m.oreilly

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Posted 26 May 2009 - 02:40 AM

i've head about this too. sucks big time...
lots of folks around here use bio diesel, and it seems to be just fine. i wonder if gene got that bio thing going he was talking about?

#3 VoodooGuru

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Posted 26 May 2009 - 02:45 AM

It seems I knew many years ago that ethanol was bad for gaskets and seals in automobile engines.

#4 Nvyseal

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Posted 26 May 2009 - 02:47 AM

View PostVoodooGuru, on May 25 2009, 07:45 PM, said:

It seems I knew many years ago that ethanol was bad for gaskets and seals in automobile engines.
Wonder when the small airplanes are gonna start dropping out of the air

#5 m.oreilly

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Posted 26 May 2009 - 02:48 AM

View PostNvyseal, on May 25 2009, 07:47 PM, said:

Wonder when the small airplanes are gonna start dropping out of the air
:cc_surrender: oh sh*t 111

#6 Camaro

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Posted 26 May 2009 - 06:47 PM

View Postm.oreilly, on May 25 2009, 09:40 PM, said:

i've head about this too. sucks big time...
lots of folks around here use bio diesel, and it seems to be just fine. i wonder if gene got that bio thing going he was talking about?
Bio diesel has nothing to do with ethanol, You probably knew that but thought I would state it for any that did not.
As to getting that going, unfortunately no it fell through, apparently the guy we were going to partner up with and get this going thought we were just offering to help, unpaid of course.

#7 Sphere

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Posted 26 May 2009 - 06:58 PM

View PostNvyseal, on May 26 2009, 04:47 AM, said:

Wonder when the small airplanes are gonna start dropping out of the air
Not, airplane fuellines and rails are not made of the same standard rubber that's used in cars.

The biggest Ethanol problems can probably be solved by swapping the rubber lines with polyester lines.

Same goes for Bio-Diesel btw, it'll eat the rubber outta your car. Although just replacing those with polyester lines will solve this.

Although I gotta check up on ethanol, because it basically is a whole different fuel.

#8 hog

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Posted 27 May 2009 - 02:07 AM

Isn't biodiesel absolutely compatible with any diesel engine?

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Biodiesel is meant to be used in standard diesel engines and is thus distinct from the vegetable and waste oils used to fuel converted diesel engines.
Wiki

#9 m.oreilly

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Posted 27 May 2009 - 02:21 AM

View Posthog, on May 26 2009, 07:07 PM, said:

Isn't biodiesel absolutely compatible with any diesel engine?

Wiki
check this out, i forgot cowman did this to his car. i love it :cc_surrender:

http://forums.2cpu.c...ead.php?t=92465

#10 stormrosson

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Posted 27 May 2009 - 03:13 AM

:cc_surrender: ethanol and biodiesel have very little in common chemically :bluerip:

#11 m.oreilly

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Posted 27 May 2009 - 03:18 AM

View Poststormrosson, on May 26 2009, 08:13 PM, said:

:cc_surrender: ethanol and biodiesel have very little in common chemically :D
ya think?

:bluerip:

#12 stormrosson

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Posted 27 May 2009 - 04:06 AM

:cc_surrender: Diesel designed his engine to be run on peanut oil originally :bluerip:

#13 m.oreilly

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Posted 27 May 2009 - 06:18 AM

View Poststormrosson, on May 26 2009, 09:06 PM, said:

:cc_surrender: Diesel designed his engine to be run on peanut oil originally :bluerip:
better be with jelly, 'cause jam don't shake like that




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