The ethanol nightmare has arrived!

I'm trying to locate a new source, but may not be successful. The
ethanol is added at the distribution rack. Chevron and a couple others
are requiring their retailers to go to E-10.



Have you actually tried to go to a Chevron station, get some of the
Premium gas, and actually test it for ethanol? E10 should be very
obvious with the test tube method.

Because Washington state has a relatively sensible ethanol law, and
the fact that wholesale ethanol price is very high right now, there's
a chance that you might get ethanol free gas by buying the Premium
fuel.

Remember, ethanol is not mixed into the fuel until the local
distribution terminal, because it can't be transported in pipelines.

M writes:

Remember, ethanol is not mixed into the fuel until the local
distribution terminal, because it can't be transported in pipelines.

Just out of curiosity, why can't it be transported in pipelines?

Mxsmanic wrote:
M writes:

Remember, ethanol is not mixed into the fuel until the local
distribution terminal, because it can't be transported in pipelines.

Just out of curiosity, why can't it be transported in pipelines?

The same reason it can't be used in existing airplanes; pieces of the
plumbing start leaking.


--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.

wrote in news
Mxsmanic wrote:
M writes:

Remember, ethanol is not mixed into the fuel until the local
distribution terminal, because it can't be transported in pipelines.

Just out of curiosity, why can't it be transported in pipelines?

The same reason it can't be used in existing airplanes; pieces of the
plumbing start leaking.



It can be used in existing airplanes. All you need to do is replace
fittings. I've done it. My old Luscombe ran on Ethanol laden mogas.



Bertie

Bertie the Bunyip wrote:
wrote in news

Mxsmanic wrote:
M writes:

Remember, ethanol is not mixed into the fuel until the local
distribution terminal, because it can't be transported in pipelines.

Just out of curiosity, why can't it be transported in pipelines?

The same reason it can't be used in existing airplanes; pieces of the
plumbing start leaking.



It can be used in existing airplanes. All you need to do is replace
fittings. I've done it. My old Luscombe ran on Ethanol laden mogas.

Then it isn't the existing plumbing, is it?

Depending on what the existing plumbing is made of, you may have to
replace all, some, or none of gaskets, fittings, lines, tanks, and
the carburetor, i.e. everything the fuel touches.


--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.

wrote in :

Bertie the Bunyip wrote:
wrote in
news

Mxsmanic wrote:
M writes:

Remember, ethanol is not mixed into the fuel until the local
distribution terminal, because it can't be transported in
pipelines.

Just out of curiosity, why can't it be transported in pipelines?

The same reason it can't be used in existing airplanes; pieces of
the plumbing start leaking.



It can be used in existing airplanes. All you need to do is replace
fittings. I've done it. My old Luscombe ran on Ethanol laden mogas.

Then it isn't the existing plumbing, is it?

Nope, but it cost about 8 bucks to convert the airplane.

Depending on what the existing plumbing is made of, you may have to
replace all, some, or none of gaskets, fittings, lines, tanks, and
the carburetor, i.e. everything the fuel touches.



Yep, did that. All that was really required was the flexible line from
the firewall to the carb and to ensure the float was a metal one. For
the flexible line we just got a length of automotive line and put
aircraft fittings on the end of it. The system is pretty simple and
fairly devoid of stuff that could be affected.


Bertie

Bertie the Bunyip wrote:
wrote in :

Bertie the Bunyip wrote:
wrote in
news

Mxsmanic wrote:
M writes:

Remember, ethanol is not mixed into the fuel until the local
distribution terminal, because it can't be transported in
pipelines.

Just out of curiosity, why can't it be transported in pipelines?

The same reason it can't be used in existing airplanes; pieces of
the plumbing start leaking.



It can be used in existing airplanes. All you need to do is replace
fittings. I've done it. My old Luscombe ran on Ethanol laden mogas.

Then it isn't the existing plumbing, is it?

Nope, but it cost about 8 bucks to convert the airplane.

Depending on what the existing plumbing is made of, you may have to
replace all, some, or none of gaskets, fittings, lines, tanks, and
the carburetor, i.e. everything the fuel touches.



Yep, did that. All that was really required was the flexible line from
the firewall to the carb and to ensure the float was a metal one. For
the flexible line we just got a length of automotive line and put
aircraft fittings on the end of it. The system is pretty simple and
fairly devoid of stuff that could be affected.

If the entire GA fleet were built like Luscombes we'd be home free.

What about the last twenty years worth of C-172's, C-182's and PA-28's?


--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.

On Apr 9, 11:57*am, Bertie the Bunyip wrote:
wrote innews
Mxsmanic wrote:
M writes:

Remember, ethanol is not mixed into the fuel until the local
distribution terminal, because it can't be transported in pipelines.

Just out of curiosity, why can't it be transported in pipelines?

The same reason it can't be used in existing airplanes; pieces of the
plumbing start leaking.

It can be used in existing airplanes. All you need to do is replace
fittings. I've done it. My old Luscombe ran on Ethanol laden mogas.

Bertie

So does this conversion have any limitations? Can you run E85? How
about E20?

Brian

Brian wrote in
:

On Apr 9, 11:57*am, Bertie the Bunyip wrote:
wrote
innews
Mxsmanic wrote:
M writes:

Remember, ethanol is not mixed into the fuel until the local
distribution terminal, because it can't be transported in
pipelines.

Just out of curiosity, why can't it be transported in pipelines?

The same reason it can't be used in existing airplanes; pieces of
the plumbing start leaking.

It can be used in existing airplanes. All you need to do is replace
fittings. I've done it. My old Luscombe ran on Ethanol laden mogas.

Bertie

So does this conversion have any limitations? Can you run E85? How
about E20?


If it'd start on carrot juice, I ran it.


Bertie

On Apr 9, 11:35*am, wrote:
Mxsmanic wrote:
M writes:
Remember, ethanol is not mixed into the fuel until the local
distribution terminal, because it can't be transported in pipelines.
Just out of curiosity, why can't it be transported in pipelines?

The same reason it can't be used in existing airplanes; pieces of the
plumbing start leaking.

--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.

Okay, that is true. However since the days of yore Indy 500 cars have
run on ethanol (or is it methanol!!). Their plumbing does not leak the
alcohol all over the engine all the time. Maybe it would if the race
wasn't over so quickly though ... hmmm.

I have a hard time believing there isn't a technical solution to this
leak problem.

It's a problem that could be fixed for new designs. Older planes are
screwed of course.

Having said all this I think the entire corn ethanol business is an
extraordinary boondoggle that's screwing the average American.

The Brazilian's do it with sugar cane / beet sugar. Now, I thought
they were more corrupt than us? Guess not.