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From: tomk@orca.UUCP (Tom Kloos)
Newsgroups: net.auto,or.general
Subject: Re: Local Cheap Gas Can (Will) Damage Fuel Injected Cars
Message-ID: <1155@orca.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 10-Nov-84 15:34:57 EST
Article-I.D.: orca.1155
Posted: Sat Nov 10 15:34:57 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 11-Nov-84 21:00:36 EST
References: <tekadg.52>
Reply-To: tomk@orca.UUCP (Tom Kloos)
Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR
Lines: 27

Drop by your local GM dealer and get a copy of their cutomer service
newsletter titled "Methanol/Gasoline Blends Pose Potential Problems"
dated 1/84.  It is quite well written and provides a significant
amount of information. (No flames about GM please!)

The bottom line is:  Be very careful using fuels with alcohol in
today's vehicles.  Up to 10% ethanol is probably OK.  Up to 5% (five!)
methanol IF used with a cosolvent and corrosion inhibitor may also
be acceptable.  However, methanol is generally BAD NEWS with the
materials that are optimized to withstand gasoline.  Unfortunately
methanol is cheaper than ethanol, so gasoline supplies prefer it.

As for Oregon permitting 30% alcohol, GM claims EPA only allows 12%.
Higher concentrations might be possible if a permit is issued from the
EPA.  It might be a good idea to contact the EPA if you suspect a
problem with the fuel you've purchased.  A study in the mid-west found
that blenders sometimes exceeded the limits.

I doubt that Arco's gas is really any dirtier than most, but when
I was using "Burnsahol" (10% ethanol in Chevron unleaded) I found
the fuel filter filled up with rust and junk MUCH more rapidly.
I suspect it was loosening a lot of junk from the car's tank, fuel
system, and maybe the dealers tank.

-Tom Kloos, Tektronix, Wilsonville, Oregon
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