Frankly I LIKE the fact that it keeps water in suspension and burns it off during use, unlike pure gasoline which will allow water to puddle at the bottom of the tank...particularly on snowmobiles...no more frozen gas lines, and no need for adding Heet to prevent it! So you won't catch me complaining about E-10.
The issue is once the ethanol reaches a moisture content of approx. 0.5%, it no longer is able to keep the water in suspension. That is the phase seperation. The gasoline, ethanol, and water are no longer miscible (able to act as a single fluid dissolved in each other). That's what leads to the corrosion issues with steel tanks and line. Much the same way that brake fluid tends to corrode brake lines from the inside out. But the blended fuel doesn't absorb water immeditatley. It does so over time. So how long the fuel is in the tank is a direct contributor to the amount of moisture it absorbs. A daily driver would have no issues. As you mention, if you are storing your fuel for long periods of time, you add an additive. So you are taking the necessary precautions. Again to my point of being suited for the application.
Originally Posted By crazecars
I've found that with a few easy and minor maintenance mods and knowledgeable tuning, it works perfectly fine in everything...68 Firebird included. Just had to replace some rubbers and throw the factory jetting/timing specs in the trash and tune it for whatever fuel you want to run, that's about it.
This is what I was referring to about the application. If your materials are suited for the blended fuel, you will have no issues (except there is no overcoming the lower energy content).
So I am agreeing with what you are saying. Upgrade rubber components and don't let the blended fuel sit for long periods of time untreated, and those issues go away. Then it just comes down to a business case between does the cost savings offset the energy loss? I was just trying to alert people that may not have the experience that you and I have had and are wondering what may be an issue with some of their parts. Or in some cases, don't even realize they are buying blended fuels because of the inconsistent labeling laws from state to state.
I know that washing and waxing my car with the present condtion of my paint is like polishing a turd.....but it's my turd and I want it polished!
![[Linked Image from imageshack.us]](http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/845/turd2.png/)
