Ethanol free gas in our trucks

[86swb]

I have been told it is best to use Ethanol-free fuel in our trucks. Does anyone know if this is true and why?

[Dead Parrot]

Anything made after the early 70's should be good for up to 10% booze. That is when they started the ethanol thing and mandated that vehicle fuel system be 10% alcohol compatible.

If it is going to sit for many months between being ran, then best to use 100% gas. The alcohol wants to absorb water, if not water already in the tank then from the air in the tank. If 100% not an option, fill it up before parking it.

Unless you have a special 'race car' type alcohol/methanol fuel system, avoid anything higher then 10%. The Flex Fuel stuff is up to 85% and the EPA gave its OK for 15%(think corn lobby) over the objections of vehicle makers and most refiners.

[Corts60]

Agree with above. Ethanol attracts water and the water will eat at the aluminum parts in your carburetor, etc. Also, the ethanol likes to eat older rubber hoses and such. You can change out all your rubber with modern compatible material and be just fine.

[Palf70Step]

Will they run with it, yes. But most of our stuff sits a good bit and that is where the EVIL of ethanol comes in and does it's damage to hoses and some other parts. I run it in mine when I am out of the local area, mostly cause I have to, but then I fill up with non-ethanol when I get home and run the other stuff thru. Mine gets used enough that I don't think it will be much of an issue.

[93M6Formula]

I always run ethanol free, even in my modern vehicles.

[86swb]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will try it and see what happens.

[jayoldschool]

I run ethanol-free in all my carbs. Only because they sit. On a daily, ethanol is fine.

[cadillac_al]

I have been running ethanol in everything for over 30 years. My cars, trucks, bike and sleds don't mind it. I wouldn't pay extra for a benefit that I don't seem to need.

[86swb]

Mine sit for weeks at a time and was told Ethanol-free would be better. Yes, Ethanol-free is more expensive but was told it would better to be safe. Sometimes I go months and do not drive them but I do start and run the engine at times.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by 86swb

I have been told it is best to use Ethanol-free fuel in our trucks.

That statement can be applied to literally every vehicle ever made. It's always better.

[69Tom]

Originally Posted by Tom

That statement can be applied to literally every vehicle ever made. It's always better.

There doesn't appear to be too many places selling it in the Phoenix area. Which do you use?

[LT7A]

Protecting from the corrosive nature of the ethanol is the primary benefit. A small secondary benefit is a tiny bit more power. It's been a while since I did my research, but I'm pretty sure that the alcohol has about 60% of the energy of gasoline. So that 10% alcohol is only good for about 6% of the energy. So in total, the E10 gives you 96% of the energy or BTUs of E0. So hey, 4% more power, just in the gas alone. I can't easily get E0 where I live, so I run sta-bil 360 and I'm very happy with it. It stabilizes the fuel for a year and keeps the ethanol from damaging your fuel system. It also cleans your fuel system and emits a vapor to protect the areas of your tank that aren't submerged in fuel, like if it's only half full. I have no ties with the manufacturer, they haven't even sent me a hat, haha. I just did a bunch of research and found a product that helps counter the effects of the ethanol and adds a couple other benefits. I did notice that my truck ran a little better as I went through my first few tanks with the sta-bil 360. 10 oz treats 50 gal, so it's only about $0.10 a gallon, as compared to 25 or 30 cents extra for the E0 here.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by 69Tom

There doesn't appear to be too many places selling it in the Phoenix area. Which do you use?

I don't. I just use normal gas.

[Jeepwm69]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

I run ethanol-free in all my carbs. Only because they sit. On a daily, ethanol is fine.

This. My 83 GMC, and my two 85 Jeep CJ's get ethanol free, not because they won't run ok on E10, but because they don't get driven a lot, and pure gas lasts MUCH, MUCH longer than E10.

If you drive it daily, doesn't matter.

If it's seldom driven, use pure gas.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by Tom

I don't. I just use normal gas.

Actually normal gas is non ethonal. I use it it in everything with a carb . Newer cars with fuel injection will run with stale gas you may get a miss code but a few tanks of fresh gas it will clear

Alcohol attracts water so it contaminats the gas new cars are sealed systems for the most part. Older cars are vented so air moves in and out fresh air equals moisture .

Also if you dont have all new gas lines with low permiation ethonal resistance with new gaskets in the carb your looking for trouble. Ethonal turns old rubber and gaskets to mush

[RUN GMC]

Originally Posted by 69Tom

There doesn't appear to be too many places selling it in the Phoenix area. Which do you use?

I use this site to find where I can get it in my area and on trips(Hot Rod Power Tour and Cruising the Coast).......

https://www.pure-gas.org/

[Mattchu60]

I run E-15 gas in everything I own, lawnmower, trimmer, my 87 Square ran it for 8 years without issue.

I think you would want to put non ethanol in for winter storage due to the corrosive nature, but if your driving it you'd be fine running Ethanol.

[LostMy65]

Those who made detailed posts about the harm ethanol causes to carbs are right on. And they explained why. Individually we may have a different experience, but me, living in an area with lots of rain and humidity, I run all ethanol free in my small motors. I'll run gas with ethanol in it in my carbed truck, but only in the summer.

[franken]

Since the small engine topic has surfaced, I had trouble with mowers and weed eaters until I had the bright idea to run them out of gas at the end of the season. In the spring they'd start normally after a refill. The ethanol and water it attracts are hard on carbs.

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by franken

Since the small engine topic has surfaced, I had trouble with mowers and weed eaters until I had the bright idea to run them out of gas at the end of the season. In the spring they'd start normally after a refill. The ethanol and water it attracts are hard on carbs.

Me too. I always run my small engines out of gas before storing.