I have been reading some articles on the deleterious effect of E10 gasoline (10% ethanol) and am now alert to the bad things alcohol can do to an engine and fuel systems. Alcohol attracts water, and if the engine is not used on a fairly frequent basis, alcohol in the fuel can wreak havoc.
E10 is now sold in the majority of areas in the U.S., and the all-knowing federal government is now pushing to raise the alcohol level to 15%. This will naturally continue to push up the price of certain foods and meats, but I don't want to get into the political arena here.
The December, 2012 issue of Motorcycle Consumer News features an interesting take on the subject: "The problems with gasoline/ethanol blends include phase separation, which happens when the ethanol (which is hygroscopic, meaning it has an affinity for water) has absorbed enough atmospheric moisture to fall out of suspension with the gasoline." The article goes on to explain that phase separation is less of a problem in perfectly sealed fuel systems, but many older vehicles with fuel vents aren't so blessed.
Two-stroke engines are especially vulnerable to seizures because alcohol breaks down the fuel/oil mixtures. (I just had my chain saw serviced and will add the oil/gas mixture only when I plan to use the machine. Otherwise, the tank will stay empty or will be filled with a special gasoline offered by the dealer that can stay in the tank for up to two years without ill effect. The dealer was adamant about not leaving gasoline in the gas tank of the chain saw or other two-stroke engines unless a stabilizer is used).
The MCN article also went on to say that corrosion to plastics, rubber, aluminum and fiberglass can be a problem. And...."when E10 is allowed to sit for a long time in a fuel system, the volatile portion of the fuel will eventually evaporate, leaving a milky residue behind. And this goo will eventually harden into an amber solid that cracks into tiny pieces, creating a mass of insoluble debris that must be physically removed before the engine can be brought back to life."
Since winter is almost upon us and many of us will be storing our cars for lengthy periods, consider the use of gasoline stabilizers before storing your car.
