Non-ethanol fuel

[wascoman63]

Like many of you, I strive to use non-ethanol fuel whenever possible.  A few years ago, the price differential between 10% ethanol premium and non-ethanol premium was something like 10%.  Now, at least where I live, it's more like 35% to 40%.

So, I'm wondering, will I be OK if I abandon my quest for non-ethanol premium and begin to fuel my machines with 10% ethanol premium backed by a regular dose of Stabil or Seafoam or some other product?

The bikes in question are an '06 R1200GS and a '90 K75.  But I also own ATVs, a side-by-side, and any number of other small gasoline engines.  I figure that I could save $250 to $400 per year if I stopped using non-ethanol premium in all of these machines.

Any advice will be appreciated.

[kennybobby]

It doesn't make any sense does it--ethanol costs more to produce than gasoline, so you would think not adding it to gas would cost less, not more.  They sure have jacked the price for pure gas.

If you are running it right thru your engine and burning it before it has time to set and gel, then it probably could be used--although there is still ethanol effects on the rubber products.  If you are not running the engine for more than 6 weeks then drain it out of the system.

It may cost more to buy pure gas, but the savings of running ethanol is small compared to the cost and hassle of cleaning or replacing the fuel pump, the damper, clogged injectors, etc.

Snake foam and sea oil are just transfer devices--moves money from your pocket to theirs.

[Martin]

The  end result of ethanol in the fuel and we have a maximum of 10%. Inside of the tank was a mess and a pain to clean.
C.heers Martin.

[Laitch]

The end result of years running 89 octane (AKI) gasohol (10%) six months per year in a bike used for daily transportation and yeehaa then storing that bike for six months of winter at temperatures occasionally reaching -20ºF with a full tank of the same fuel stabilized. In the spring, the fuel in the bike tank gets put in the truck tank and the bike starts the season with fresh fuel. The truck uses fuel so fast it hardly notices the difference.

[K1300S]

Nice!

[rbm]

I try to fill up with Shell Vpower whenever possible.  In Canada, it is guaranteed by Shell to be completely ethanol free.  Plenty of Shell stations around and price is the same as other stations offering a 93 RON mix at 10% ethanol content, so the choice is a no-brainer.

My experience with any use of ethanol and winter storage is exactly like Laitch's, and not like Martin's.

[Martin]

That was mates bike, I have never run ethanol in my bike in the 18 years that I have had it. I am surprised at the difference, I would have thought that storing your bike for 6 months with ethanol laced petrol would melt the rubber.  I do believe that there are ethanol proof dampers around may Robert and Laitch have those. Alright guys any theories as to the difference?? :dunno
Regards a puzzled Martin.

[beemrdon]

There are only a handful of no ethanol stations in Massachusetts and most of those are at turf equipment dealers..

[K1300S]

We have no non ethanol fuel around here. I use no additives.   Have had zero issues with fuel systems in my many vehicles.

[wascoman63]

I spend 8 months a year in Oregon where virtually every town has at least one station that sells non-ethanol, and 4 months a year in Arizona where I have yet to find a station that sells same.

[Laitch]

I would have thought that storing your bike for 6 months with ethanol laced petrol would melt the rubber.  I do believe that there are ethanol proof dampers around may Robert and Laitch have those.

I doubt that there were ethanol-proof dampers made, Martin. Maybe the ones made on Wednesdays were better than the others and I have one of those. I use Sta-Bil with gasohol in my five gallon storage cans. I use up all stored gas every few months except for the winter gas in the bike. I use stabilized gasohol in all my chainsaws. I keep them topped up and the fuel gets used. It could be that the fuel stabilizer's retarding of fuel separation during storage prevents a corrosive alchemy formed from water, gum and varnish that would break down those soft engine parts. Sta-Bil doesn't claim that.

I don't have ignition problems in any of my small engines. I've got a 30-year old Stihl brushcutter that has only had spark plugs, air filters and starter cords replaced in all that time. I can only ascribe the acceptable performance of all these engines to the use of stabilized fuel, frequent use of the tools, topped up fuel tanks, turnover of stored fuel and luck.

[Martin]

Euromotoelectrics & Bobs BMW both sell EnDurLast ethanol resistant fuel pump dampers.
C.heers Martin.

[Laitch]

Euromotoelectrics & Bobs BMW both sell EnDurLast ethanol resistant fuel pump dampers.
C.heers Martin.

Well, I'll be! Maybe the ethanol-resistance fairy has been upgrading all my other equipments' susceptible parts, too. It grieves me to think of money I could have diverted all these years from Sta-Bil to something useful like profiteroles.

[Martin]

Custard or cream filled, or even better a proper chocolate éclair. Now I've got cravings and I don't think I'm pregnant. 
Yum Martin.