Yes, you "midwesterners" may have used ethanol for years with no problems, but you were not putting it into CARB certified cars.

Cars sold in CA, NY and MA, have to pass CARB certifications which pegs emissions at about 90% less than non-CARB states that you drive in. It doesn't make our cars run any better either, as it pushes the tolerance for smooth gasoline combustion to within a very narrow range. Anything that upsets that balance is not good.

My fellow left and right coast-dwellers were far behind the corn-gas curve. We are now forced to suddenly introduce hydrophillic ethanol to our gas supplies because MBTE was declared carcinogenic, just like over-barbecued hotdogs, not because uncle Jed had a few extra ears of corn he didn't know what to do with. Little thought given about how much water the ethanol would pick up when added overnight to previously non-blended fuel tanks. BTW has ANYBODY seen an E85 gas pump on either coast? Anyone? I'll pay you to fill up your flex fuel Tahoe in Boston with E85. I know my money is safe because you'll be pushing that Tahoe to Peoria to get "gas". Points to the fact that you got to "burn it where you brew it" since it is such a PITA to handle, store and deliver.

In the winter, most auto-parts stores and gas stations sell little 8 oz cans of "dry gas" that is suppose to clear water out of your 20 gallon fuel tank. It's alcohol. Most of us don't buy it. Now we are introducing 2 GALLONS of water friendly ethanol every time we fill up to fuel systems that have never seen it before. Its a lot more than a horse can piss.

Furthermore, in a business where .01$/gallon means tens of millions, its a possibility that fuel companies have figured that ethanol will help octane numbers and they would use more of it to stretch the rating. Although most of our "premium" is 93 octane, there are some stations sell 91 octane side by side with 93 octane. Guess which one in more by $.05-.07./gallon? Buys a lot of corn.

BMW has this past week issued a service advisory for problems relating to ethanol usage, including, rusting fuel pumps, clogged fuel filters and lines-guess what-no warranty for you! Next! So you may be "ok" with ethanol, but I am not.

Like I said before, three cars with the same symptoms developed within the same timeframe is just too close a coincidence. It's not the pollen in the air that has me wishing for a Holley 4 barrel with an electric choke. Maybe I should tell my cars not to inhale.

Thanks for letting me know my cars will be a'right on ethanol though, when I move to Ohio.

Regards
BD

 

You do realize that your car is no different from the factory than a car sold in wisconsin, right? You seem to be under the misconception that a car sold in CA, NY, and MA somehow different because of CARB laws. No, they don't differ, only the laws there regarding emissions differ.

An S2000 sold in wisconsin is just as carb legal as an S2000 sold in california. In fact, all hondas are like that. All hondas well exceed the CARB limit. CARB comes into play only with aftermarket equipment.

So ethanol will have the same effect on a car sold in wisconsin as it does in your state. There is no difference. None. At all.

Again, ethanol is NOT cheaper to up the octane rating, as jrfish already described. Leave the conspiracy theories at the door kthanxbye.

Please point out this service advisory. Link please.

As I said, where you live has zero to do with it.

You have a lot of misconceptions about ethanol, and what it does, and how it's used. I suggest you educate yourself.

This forum is for facts only about helping people with their cars. Not conspiracy theories.

 

Gosh darn, dab nabbit! Each winter, I head on into my local "Mohawk" gas station and tank up with 10% ethanol gasoline after the S2000 has been running of 100% 91 octane gasoline for the past 6 to 8 months and guess what? The S2000 can't tell the difference. Please don't let my car read this thread. It might just start to kick up a fuss. Oh, and this has been going on now for over 5 YEARS.

Additionally, please don't let my wife's 2002 PT Cruiser read this thread either. It might just suddenly start to run funny when winter comes.