Ethanol mix

[vping]

I am having some idle problems and this subject came up. I happened to be reading recently about ethanol gas mix and how it will not be good for our older cars and that eventually ethanol will be the fuel of the future. What is the truth behind this and what can be done to make sure that it does not effect our cars?

 

[Bugeye58]

Vince, I ran a 10% ethanol mix here for quite awhile, in both a '63 and '72 midget with no problems at all.
E85, on the other hand is an 85% mix, and could cause problems with fuel system components, among other things.
If the ethanol concentration is no higher than 10%, don't worry about it.
Jeff

 

[Steve]

This gas does not like sitting, though. It can separate and cause problems. Fuel stabilisers can help prevent that, otherwise you only have a few months before it can go off.

 

[Steve_S]

The car will run on it, but any older rubber bits will be damaged by the ethanol in the fuel. Ethanol will attack the substances which keep the rubber soft. Eventually micro cracks will form and your hoses will begin spraying fuel all over the engine bay. Often you can't even see the cracks unless you bend the hose sharply to spread them open.

If you can find non-ethanol fuel then it's best to use that. If not, you may consider replacing all rubber components in the fuel system including in the pump and carbs.

In So Cal, Chevron is the only station selling non-ethanol fuel.