Ethanol ?

There has been ethanol in fuels in Wisconsin and other states for many years and many people have been using it without knowing it and without problems. It was first available here about 1980. Ever since it was first used there have been people wringing their hands and running around saying that the sky is falling.

There have been warnings about how the alcohol will draw large amounts of water from the air. A service instructor said that the alcohol will absorb moisture until there is phase separation of the water and fuel and then continue to absorb it -as if when you have gas containing alcohol in your tank, that eventually water would come pouring out the filler hole.
The alcohol does not cause carb icing problems. It is caused by moisture in the air. It will not cause fuel system freeze up. On the contrary, what is added to gas to prevent that? Fuel de-icer, also known as alcohol.

It has been blended with gas by refiners for many years to raise the octane level of gasoline. E-85 has a 110 octane rating (as an example- not to be used in sleds).

The alcohol will cause slightly leaner running, which in most cases is not a problem. As stated here, it can be compensated for with a jet change.

When a piston and cylinder is scored, some now automatically blame the alcohol blended fuels, while there have been a bazillion pistons and cylinders scored on straight gas.
 
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mod it the reason your sled ran leaner is because when you blocked the air vents there was no incoming air to pressurise under the hood which in turn pressurises the float bowls. Because the vents are vented in the bellypan. You could vent the carbs into the airbox. Then you must jet up. Just a thought.
 
I don't think anything. The reason that I asked about ethanol is I have a stock 700 that I race. It would be nice to get a fuel that is 92 octane that is 92 instead of junk pump fuel that we pay too much for.
 
Danger Dog said:
mod it the reason your sled ran leaner is because when you blocked the air vents there was no incoming air to pressurise under the hood which in turn pressurises the float bowls. Because the vents are vented in the bellypan. You could vent the carbs into the airbox. Then you must jet up. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

I blocked my under hood air, as in all the passages in the hood that allow air to get to the air box. My outer screens are still open, can't imagine how hot it would get under there if they were blocked. It leaned out because now I'm taking 100% cold air from the dash instead of it blending with the hot underhood air. Didn't lean out a ton, but enough that I will definitely be checking when I run the ethanol this year. Not worried about running the ethanol, just know that I'll need to keep an eye on my jetting.
 
had no problems last year in my 01 srx with 10%
word of warning to vintage guys though do not run in fiberglass tank.
I found this out the hard way
it will disolve the fiberglass and gum up everything in your motor
my Norton now has stuck valves,carbs,and rings,and my rare race tank leaks like a sive
 
I would spend a half hour typing my Butt Off,,,,but,,,, It's kinda late.... (typical easier/softer way answer) but,,, Alcohol absorbs moisture,,,,,, If you want to DRAIN all of the old fuel you have in the tank and replace with FRESH FUEL after sitting all summer... Thats a GREAT IDEA!!!!!! Take the old fuel and stick it in your tow vehicle.... It will burn just FINE..... If you are looking for fuel that contains some TETRAETHYL LEAD,,,,, go to your local airport and ask for 100LL (one hundred low lead).. They can sell it to you if you SPECIFY that it will be used OFF ROAD ( 100ll doesn't have to pay MFT taxes) Just tell them you race snowmobiles and put it in a 5 gallon jugs....
 
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