[Chrysler300] More Noteworthy E10 Information

[Tony Rinaldi <awrdoc@xxxxxxxxx>]

E10 Gasoline and Antique and Classic Cars
>From Naples & Marco Island AACA; published in Hemmings

Also Note: For a photo of phase separation in ethanol blended gasoline see:
http://fuelschool.blogspot.com/2009/02/phase-separation-in-ethanol-blended.h
tml

Although apparently not one of the states required to use reformulated fuel,
E10 (gasoline with at least 10% Ethanol as a component) is a fact in
Florida. What follows tries to ignore any aspect of this fuel¹s existence
dealing with environmental, cost, source, fuel economy, etc concerns and
deal only with the effect Ethanol as 10% of gas pump gasoline will have on
vehicles in high humidity and temperature areas such as Florida. The
considerations are for cars and light trucks:

        25 years or older
        Sitting idle 60 days or more at a time in SW Florida
        Subject to Gulf Coast swings in temperature and humidity.
        Fuel System Components not upgraded to be alcohol resistant
        Fuel tanks are vented

This report is a compilation of information from various knowledgeable
sources, shaped to fit the above parameters. The authors stated to be
knowledgeable in the automotive industry, and believe the information shown
is valid, but most assuredly do not take any responsibility for any mishaps.

Some Background: 

An oversimplification of the situation is that environmental goals have
driven numerous auto fuel changes since the late 1980¹s while the need has
remained to provide fuels that perform to standards. The standards do not
designate the components of the fuel, only what it must do, as, meet
environmental standards and provide fuel at appropriate octane levels. E10
is an oxygenated fuel that is the current preferred direction to reach such
goals. 

The oil companies contacted who would comment on the subject all said
essentially the same thing. E10 has been in use for many years with no
problems, except that owners of cars built prior to 1980 may experience
tribulations that newer cars will not be concerned with (our words, not
theirs.) and may require modification (their words).

Going Forward: The Kettering Institute has been commissioned by Hagerty
Insurance to study the effect of ethanol on classic automobiles. Hagerty
issued a generic article in a journal that took many of the sources used
here. An early comment from Kettering is incorporated in some to the
following. 

Post 1980 Automobiles:

These vehicles should experience no negative effect from E10 in their
original systems. Owners need to be aware that the composition of
after-market components (Gaskets, Hoses, etc) need be ascertained to be
other than rubber or other compounds that E10 will deteriorate. If so, the
resulting sludge may well clog fuel system components. Must be elastomer as
Neoprene, etc. 

Pre-1980 Vehicles are the subject of the balance of this report.

It would appear that owners Antique and Classic cars and light trucks should
be aware as to the effect of E10 on the OEM fuel systems, and engines of
their vehicles. 

Areas of Concern appear to be: Destruction of Parts (Risks):

A 1996 summary suggested that components provided by after markets since the
early 80¹s are compatible to today¹s fuel formulations, though 1996 gasoline
was stated to be more aggressive than those of the ?60s and 70s and extended
storage without proper treatment can increase elastomer deterioration,
better to replace older flexible tubing.

        Hoses - Compositions (Rubber) prior to use of elastomer. Hoses that
are susceptible to alcohol damage can become brittle or soft and, over time,
deteriorate. 

        Piping ­Metal - Aluminum, steel or other metals. Alcohol [E10(?) ]
is considered corrosive to aluminum and possibly alloys. Nothing was found
that dealt with constant use (flow through) for steel, copper, etc.

        Diaphragms, Gaskets, Washers... ­in fuel pumps, carburetors, etc.
are at serious risk if the flexible components are of Pre-1980 composite
material. ?Opening up¹ the part in use every 6 months to examine these
components was recommended by one source.

        Body Parts ­Fuel Pumps, Carburetors, Filters... metal interiors may
well be subject to etching or worse, while the effect on plastic or other
float components is unclear, and these had best be monitored.

Cleaning Effect of Ethanol

Carburetors, Fuel Pumps... ­jets, floats, pumps, interiors will become very
clean. This corrosive effect may well dislodge gum and varnish that will
effect actual performance. Fuel holding areas (carb bowls, fuel pumps..)
will be particularly concerned and if the car is not used long enough for
any settling, the odds are good that performance will suffer and maintenance
be required. 

Injector Pumps ­fuel holding areas, injectors,... are generally not of
material that is prone to alcohol degradation, but sludge coming into the
pump from the inbound system may cause problems at the injectors.

Fuel Tanks ­sludge movement as well as corrosion may/will effect gas tanks.
This is seen to be a multi-faceted attack on old residue, varnish, ...
which, in the process of cleaning the tank, will clog fuel screens (and may
well eat them away). Another aspect seen is that as ethanol is miscible
with, and attracts, water, having it in contact with steel fuel tanks or
fuel lines is not a good idea as in exposing the bare surface of mild steel
tanks allowing rust to form. A contrary view is that given today¹s ASTM
specifications for fuel, corrosion should not be a concern.

Filters ­porosity may well be significantly reduced... as the filter clogs
vehicle performance will degrade. Need is to check filters more often than
with post-1980 cars (at least until the system has become E10 friendly).

Water Absorption 

Fuel Tank Collecting Water while stored and idle (As from ?sweating¹):

There is the belief that all metal tanks, unless kept at constant
temperature, will collect water. Constant is not a Florida word for its
temperature. 

However, EPA states that outside Water Entry is the most likely cause of
water in fuel. 

An EPA comment in response to our questioning negative phase separation
results from great swings in temperature, in cars sitting for months at a
time (in our Florida heat) with vented, partially full, fuel tanks was:

        ³I¹m not aware of water absorption from the atmosphere being a big
issue, but I suppose it could happen if the tank is open to the air for long
periods during summer and the air is very humid. I can¹t imagine the rate of
absorption being very high... In a worst case scenario, if gasoline absorbed
as much water from the atmosphere as it can hold during the summer, and then
the vehicle remained in place (no refueling, no driving) until winter, then
I suppose you could get some water phase separation. But, I can¹t comment on
how likely such a scenario would be. ³

Water Phase Separation: Ethanol has a great affinity for water and will
attract moisture from the atmosphere thru vents. The water molecules from an
electro- 

chemical bond with the ethanol that is stronger than the fuels original bond
with ethanol. Water is heavier than gasoline so the water/ethanol molecule
is dragged to the bottom of the tank and separates from the more buoyant
fuel molecules. 

The EPA Study from whose author the above quote was extracted does not
believe Phase Separation is a viable threat. He does not totally discount
it. 

Combustion degradation as a result of Water Phase Separation may be a
stretch of the imagination but appears possible. If the fuel fed to the
engine is ³watered down² most assuredly poor performance will result and
ethanol is hydrophilic and will absorb water from the air.

Off Season Storage:

A gallon of gasoline/ethanol blend containing 10% ethanol can suspend nearly
4 teaspoons of water per gallon. Whether a Pre-1980¹s car has access to that
much atmosphere in a form to encourage such absorption is a contentious
question. Since water increases corrosion, always take precautions to
eliminate any introduction of moisture into the fuel system. The tank should
be kept full during storage to minimize condensation on the tank walls
(alternate is, run dry).

Quoting: Gasoline should not be stored for long periods of time, especially
during seasonal changes that usually have large temperature changes
associated with them. Care should be taken not to allow water into the fuel
system, while filling fuel tanks or in the form of rain or splash, for
example. 

Aside from any ethanol ³problem² gasoline stored for extended periods will
"oxidize" resulting in the formation of gums which contribute to fuel system
and engine deposits. Gasoline is typically stable for a period of at least
90 days but may be 30 days old when you purchase it. Therefore if you are
storing your vehicle for a period in excess of 60 days you should add a fuel
stabilizer. Those stabilizers are non-alcoholic "anti-oxidants" that extend
the storage life of gasoline. Examples include Gold Eagles "STA-BiL" which
states it deals with ethanol, NAPA's "Store It-Start It", Advance¹s
StarTron. . 

Summary of Solution Approaches:

        Verify Fuel Tank Integrity Change out flexible fuel lines to
Post-1980 product 

        Change Fuel Filters More Frequently than in the Past until Obviously
not needed. 

        Not mentioned above, but: Use best grades of gasoline available. Of
possible interest in this respect is that Shell Premium (a Tier 1 Gasoline)
now contains Nitrogen as a sludge fighter.

        Use Fuel Stabilizers ­Stabil, other brands of non alcoholic mixers
Fill Tanks when storage beyond 30 days (or run them dry) Seal Tanks to
reduce moisture generation

An adage from a 1930¹s Sabatini Novel is: Forewarned is Forearmed.
Appropriate here!



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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