Does an E10 (10% ethanol to 90% gasoline) increase gunk production in vital engine components?
I live in Missouri, and it has a 10% ethanol mandate. I know that it causes problems in small engines like boat motors, lawn mowers and such, but my question is: does it effect automobile engines more than regular gasoline? I bought a car, and it was originated in Minnesota, and when I first got it, it did not vibrate to where I could feel it when it idles. I had a mechanic first check it after I got it, and it was ok. Now I think that the ethanol in the gas is effecting my engine. I also noticed a recent drop in MPG. Granted, I do 70 when I'm late for work, but more often than not, I'm early. Could anyone give me any ideas about what's up?
That's baloney. If you have any kind of fuel system problem it will be cleared up by changing the fuel filter. Ethanol does not create gunk it CLEANS gunk left by, you guessed it, GASOLINE!.
I have been using E10 since 1981, when our first Mohawk ethanol plant opened in LLoydminster, in various vehicles as old as 1974 and 1976 vehicles. I have never, I repeat, never, had a problem.
If you are driving 70, it doesn't matter what you have in the tank, you are using far more fuel than you have to. Leave earlier or don't complain about mileage.
And that comment about adding ethanol being like adding water? Ridiculous, totally ridiculous, and totally uninformed. Ethanol combusts, like gasoline, water doesn't.
When getting one tank E10, the next straight gas, you will notice a drop of a couple of percentage points in your mileage. However, now that we have E10 in every pump with regular gas in Manitoba, my mileage has actually stabilized slightly higher.
