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I was talking with two composite experts the other day.  One mentioned something about one of the ingredients (I forgot its name) coming out of solution - and falling to the bottom of the gas tank He said if there is also water present  they can combine with disastrous results.  Even eat through metal or plastic tanks.  Can anyone expand on what they were talking about?  Bob McDonagh
Bob,
 
Ethanol is alcohol... It does two things very well in gas.  1. it is a great solvent  2. it attracts water very well.   When added to gas it gives it a higher octane but you will get less mileage from it because it has less energy than the gas it replaces.  So if you use it in your car you can afford to spend about 40 to 50 cents a gallon more for non-ethanol gas and still be ahead of the game. My mileage went from 21 mpg with non ethanol to below 18 with ethanol in my pickup.
 
Now if you use it in an aircraft you must be very careful and watch the fuel system closely as when the ethanol attracts water so internal engine parts can get more rust than with regular gas. ( use Marine Stabil to offset this problem)   Also as the ethanol is a solvent keep close watch on your fuel tank (metal and some fiberglass tanks can be a real problem ... the fiberglass will get a real sludge inside which can get to the carbs)  Also the fuel lines in planes are sometimes not compatible with the ethanol solvent so they can get soft and gunky on the inside before you see and trouble on the outside.
 
Make sure to run any fuel you buy thru a "Mr Funnel"  before you put it in your plane!
 
Rotax has approved up to 10% ethanol but I think they have tested up to 20% with no problems to the engine. But you still have the potential for fuel tank and fuel line problems. 
 
Hope this helps.  George Chase

Thanks George

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