Ethanol Corrosion

['Cuda Hunter]

Gotcha

[tommyg29]

I read the same Hot Rod article the other day and thought about this:


I cant say for sure, but the corrosion you see on the face on the left especially I suspect is from ethanol.
Here in south Florida I think its been about 10-12 years we have had ethanol forced on us, or at least thats when I first noticed the stickers on the pumps saying "up to 10% ethanol".
Ethanol is known to absorb water, and the only people who care for it are the tuners who use it to squeeze more power with forced induction. Not sure the physics/chemistry of it but somehow you can get more power with it in certain racing applications. At least thats what all the drag racers swear by on my stealth twin turbo discussion boards. 

[Strawdawg]

I spray methanol on both my buicks.  The main benefit is a cooler charge that does not detonate as easily which then means you can run more boost.  Stock Buicks can run around 17 psi of boost on modern chips or aftermarket fuel control.  I typically run about 27 psi spraying methanol....Some of the modern Dodge boys run the Snow set up on their na cars and can run a bit more timing without detonation.  The benefit is nowhere as impressive as on a forced aspiration for sure

It also has a smaller benefit in its higher octane value.  How much benefit is somewhat determined by how much you spray.

Ethanol corrosion usually leaves a whitish powder looking residue.  the more water it absorbs, the less it corrodes when it is still combined with fuel but it can really mess up an older gasket and melt it over time.  Older accelerator pumps made of buna-n don't like ethanol at all

[tommyg29]

Ethanol and methanol are two different types of fuel. Not sure the differences but I know you can get drunk on one and go blind with the other 

[Strawdawg]

Lol... Yes indeed. Ethanol is less corrosive and seals last longer. I sprayed ethanol in the '90's but methanol cools the charge better. Pumps don't last as long.

Steve

[Racer57]

Ethanol & EFI work better as there is a sealed fuel system end to end so moisture is not absorbed but it will still separate , I definatly witnessed corrosion with 100% ethanol

Where did you obtain 100% ethanol and what was it used in ? Even 100% methanol will corrode.

[AARuFAST]

Found this article. Ethanol destorying aluminum  parts.

http://www.drivenracingoil.com/news/dro/training-center/articles/protect-yourself-ethanol-is-killing -your -carburetor/

My Yukon runs on flex fuel Ethanol.  E-85 105 octane........hard to locate on east coast. 

[Racer57]

Found this article. Ethanol destorying aluminum  parts.

http://www.drivenracingoil.com/news/dro/training-center/articles/protect-yourself-ethanol-is-killing -your -carburetor/

My Yukon runs on flex fuel Ethanol.  E-85 105 octane........hard to locate on east coast.

Imagine that. Someone trying to sell something to make money.

[cudabob496]

Imagine that. Someone trying to sell something to make money.

Capitalism is one of the greatest forces for good in the world.
Why do we in the US have the greatest doctors and hospitals and medicines in the world?
Capitalism. 

Remove the incentive for profit, and you get countries like Cuba and Russia (and no Summit Racing!)
Every part on your car that performs well is due to someone trying to make a profit.