Thread: Strange grit-like substance in carburetor

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I guess the ethanol in Florida must be a lot worse at 10% then the stuff we've been running here for the last 20+ years...

I've seen so many problems blamed on ethanol, lots of them came down to bad contaminents in the gas, a dirty fuel system (yes, ethanol will knock that stuff loose), improper (or no) fuel filter, you name it...

Or, maybe we've just learned how to set things up so the fuel system is compatible with the ethanol in it....but I sure do like the extra octane for a few cents less then regular without ethanol...we can still get that here...

Don't know what to say about the poly tank deal....both the race cars have plastic tanks running on E-90 and my old shop truck has a poly tank and has been on E-85 for better then 5 years now...

Anyway, if your stuck with it in your area there's really nothing to do other then make sure your fuel system is clean and has a good filter!!!!

But, I'm sure I'll remain in the minority being pro-ethanol.... but I guess as long as I can run 13:1 compression on the street, and pull up to the pump and put in my 106 octane E-85 for 30 to 40 cents per gallon less then 88 octane regular I just don't mind having to maintain the fuel system a bit more often......

I doubt you can even find a carb kit in the store now that does not contain ethanol compatible gaskets and seals unless it's an old, dusty NOS kit that's been on the shelf for too many years anyway.... Perhaps some of the problems just getting into the 10% ethanol stuff is that there nasty, dirty tanks are getting cleaned out and that's the residue winding up in the carbs and causing problems???????


PS--Your government at work again...the stuff prior to ethanol ended up being a carcinogen!!!!

I'm with Dave on this one, in Mn we had the same ethanol in our gas as Dave for around 20 yrs. I have used it in everything from 2.0 ci gas R/C planes, lawn mowers, every day cars, Hotrods, to Blown 454 in our boat, and have never had a problem related to it, ever!


Pat

Dave and Pat, from knowing both of you for a long time on this forum, I know what you guys post always is the truth and factual. I respect your opinions. I'm also glad you both (and some others) have had such good success with it. The only thing I can offer is what I have been seeing in the marine industry I was in for the past 25 or so years. For us it has become a major pain. Here are some other viewpoints on the subject:

http://boatingsailing.suite101.com/a...ms_for_boaters

http://www2.highlandstoday.com/conte...oblem-ethanol/

http://www.fuel-testers.com/ethanol_...dvantages.html

http://www.slate.com/id/2122961
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Another problem with ethanol blended fuel is "Phase Separation". Here is a brief explanation of that issue:

What is ?phase separation?, and how do I deal with it?
If significant amounts of water are present in a fuel tank with gasoline that contains ethanol, the water will be drawn into the fuel until the saturation point is reached for the three-component mixture of water + gasoline + ethanol. Beyond this level of water, phase separation could cause most of the ethanol and water to separate from the bulk fuel and drop to the bottom of the tank, leaving gasoline with a significantly reduced level of ethanol in the upper phase. If the lower phase of water and ethanol is large enough to reach the fuel inlet, it could be pumped directly to the engine and cause significant problems. Even if the ethanol water phase at the bottom of the tank is not drawn into the fuel inlet, the reduced ethanol level of the fuel reduces the octane rating by as much as 3 octane numbers, which could result in engine problems.

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So maybe my opinion is clouded because the boat engines I am experienced in are more prone to problems from ethanol than car motors. Cars tend to use up their fuel faster than boats, maybe keeping it fresh enough to not cause the degree of problems boaters have been experiencing. That might be why some hot rodders are also having these problems as our rods tend to sit idle for longer periods than our daily drivers.

Just a thought.

Don