Ethanol free gas

[Seamaster]

Ok, this probably is a dead horse, but I researched the Internet, there is still no defiant answer to this. I am living in West Washington State, where are the good places to get ethanol free gas? How reliable is pure-gas.org? I notice the gas station that listed on the pure-gas.org near my house does not have much traffic, i mean there are not many people buy gas over there, their gas may be really old. Is Shell V-Power premium is still ethanol free? Thanks for the help.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Isn't Chevron Premium Ethanol free?

[redrider90]

I do not want to be snarky. I always wondered what it meant for gas to be "too old". I do not think 6 months or even a year is too old assuming the gas is not picking up condensation. Surly there must be a standard for "too old gas". And for that matter oil. Modern oils are so stabile that they can sit in the garage forever but put it in an engine and then the timer starts. What does Guzziland think? And really Seamaster I am not challenging you, I just thought this would be a good question to ask cause I have always wondered what the answer is.

[Seamaster]

No offense taken

[ITSec]

I do not want to be snarky. I always wondered what it meant for gas to be "too old". I do not think 6 months or even a year is too old assuming the gas is not picking up condensation. Surly there must be a standard for "too old gas". And for that matter oil. Modern oils are so stabile that they can sit in the garage forever but put it in an engine and then the timer starts. What does Guzziland think? And really Seamaster I am not challenging you, I just thought this would be a good question to ask cause I have always wondered what the answer is.

Old gas can happen from a couple of different causes, so YMMV (literally). Moisture entering the fuel is one thing (not a big issue here in the Mojave, but in Houston or NOLA?  ). Volatile elements in the fuel can break down or gas off, reducing its quality - heat accelerates this (definitely an issue here!). Being in an unsealed container (including a vented gas tank) magnifies and speeds up the breakdown and the ability of water to gather in the fuel. Worst case - a half full gas tank (leaving lots of room for air), temperature swings from dew-point lows to warm days (air expansion and contraction 'refreshes' the air in the empty space, bringing in moisture and taking out gassed off volatiles). Since oil is less volatile and more dense, its tendency to do these things is much less (although still present) - but not all oils are 'oils'. For example, brake fluid is tremendously attractive to water vapor and will absorb it from the air faster than you can spell 'hydrophilic'.

[ITSec]

Ok, this probably is a dead horse, but I researched the Internet, there is still no defiant answer to this. I am living in West Washington State, where are the good places to get ethanol free gas? How reliable is pure-gas.org? I notice the gas station that listed on the pure-gas.org near my house does not have much traffic, i mean there are not many people buy gas over there, their gas may be really old. Is Shell V-Power premium is still ethanol free? Thanks for the help.

No mainstream company (Shell, Chevron, et al) can be relied on to produce ethanol-free gas unless it is specifically labeled as being ethanol-free. The claim that their premium grades are ethanol-free is a modern myth, since the base stock is the same as their other grades and the additives control the final octane ratings. That being said, some mainstream stations do offer ethanol-free fuel - but it has to have a separate pump and nozzle, and a separate storage tank, making it a costly proposition for that station. Many modern pumps are 'blending' pumps, with two tanks (regular and premium) and the mid-grade(s) being created by drawing a mix from the two tanks together.  Ethanol-free just can't be delivered in that scenario.

Another site to check is http://www.buyrealgas.com/index.html . I would say if a location shows on both sites, and shows signs of traffic, it's likely worth a try.

[Moto]

In Wisconsin, Shell often offers ethanol-free premium gas in bigger cities (or at least in Madison). Kwik Trip offers it more widely. Always labeled, always with a separate nozzle.

[Sheepdog]

Ethanol is terrible for aluminum and the 10% stuff actually runs 3-4% leaner than pure gasoline. Out here in Waldheim, we are fortunate to have lots of ethanol-free stations. However, the pure stuff is more expensive and even more so for premium. I use it in my carbureted Triumph and my farm equipment pretty much exclusively. I put it in the Calvin too, but it works okay with the 10% stuff.

[Two Checks]

Here in STL metro all gas is EPA mandated E10.

[travelingbyguzzi]

Google ethanol free Washington or click on linky: http://www.buyrealgas.com/Washington.html

[Wayne Orwig]

So I'm out in the middle of bum-$#@& North Carolina. My low gas light has been on for a LONG time. I finally find a station not horribly far off the Blue Ridge Parkway. I pulled in to the cheap pump. The station owner put down his banjo and run out to tell me his premium gasoline is alcohol free. I told him I like the alcohol. Sure enough, about 1/2 hour later, the rear wheel bearing went out. All because of alcohol in the fuel.




 

[old head]

Pure gas is not updated unless someone does in the area, so it may or may not be accurate.  Usually, the station has ethanol free, but only low octane.  Never seen Chevron with ethanol free gas.

Conoco from time to time is the only major brand that I have seen with ethanol free gas.

Old head

[Seamaster]

I notice the puregas.com is not up to date, ran to the gas station that is listed, not seems in business. Also I checked the Shell station down the road, there is no where on the pump says ethonal free

[Testarossa]

For older bikes, a reasonable (though illegal) alternative is aviation gas, the 100LL variety. LL is low lead, so this is verboten in bikes with emissions equipment. Also illegal because you don't pay road taxes on it. Nonetheless very expensive -- around here $4 a gallon. But if the goal is zero ethanol, this is where you're guaranteed to find it.

[Idontwantapickle]

Fortunately there is a station about a mile from me with a separate pump for 90 octane with no corn sqeezins. All my non-car stuff loves it. Too much $$$ to run it in a late model car 15000 miles a year! It's about 3.25 now vs. 2.00 for regular at costco today.
So if you want some in Raleigh head to the Marathon on Glenwood at Five Points.
Ask for pump 9 

Hunter

[charlie b]

I guess I don't understand the need to have alcohol free.

Bike and cars have been running on it fine for a long time.  Only thing I won't put it in is my 2 stroke lawn equipment, only because I leave fuel in the tank almost all year.

[Rotten Ralph]

For older bikes, a reasonable (though illegal) alternative is aviation gas, the 100LL variety. LL is low lead, so this is verboten in bikes with emissions equipment. Also illegal because you don't pay road taxes on it. Nonetheless very expensive -- around here $4 a gallon. But if the goal is zero ethanol, this is where you're guaranteed to find it.

Amen on that. In NJ -no ethanol free pumps so the old bikes get avgas. It's $4 per gallon but well worth it.

I'm waiting for NJ to outlaw farts because they pollute and contribute to global warming.

[Nic in Western NYS]

So I'm out in the middle of bum-$#@& North Carolina...

That's just over the next holler from here.

[ITSec]

I'm waiting for NJ to outlaw farts because they pollute and contribute to global warming.

Actually, the science says cow farts are a measurable problem - so if you weigh what a cow does and eat what a cow eats, you are contributing to climate change! 

Maybe this is why Chris Christie lost weight? 

[jackson]

We pay more per gallon for ethanol free gas but we also get 10-12% better gas mileage vs the corn-gas.  Due to the better gas mileage, the total cost for miles driven is almost exactly the same between the two. 
We can find ethanol free at four stations that are within five miles of our home so for the last few years, that's all we use.  When we first moved to SC from San Diego, eleven years ago, I bought a new, zero cut lawn mower and several Stihl two stroke power lawn tools. We used E10 (not knowing any better) and within six months, every one of the lawn tools (including the mower) had problems with their carburetors.  That's when we discovered non ethanol and have never had another problem with any of our lawn equipment.

[Rotten Ralph]

Actually, the science says cow farts are a measurable problem - so if you weigh what a cow does and eat what a cow eats, you are contributing to climate change! 

Maybe this is why Chris Christie lost weight? 

Actually on some days my wife swears that I am the sole cause of climate warming. I plead the fifth!

[K250]

I use ethanol free in my bikes because it stores better. 

FWIW - the fleet expert at a large company I knew made sure all unleaded was used within six months of purchase, and all diesel within one year.     That was 4-5 years ago so maybe things have changed.     

[nc43bsa]

Pure-gas.org is only as accurate as its users make it.  If you spot an error, all you have to do is log on (it's FREE) and post a correction.

I buy gas at several local stations, both E0 and E10, and I try to test it each time.  Every time I've purchased E0, it has tested as zero alcohol.   The E10 lately has been between 5 and 8% alcohol.  I can get 87 and 90 octane E0;  I've been told 91 and higher E0 is no longer produced.

I don't worry so much about E10 in my Buick (aside from the lower fuel mileage) but my mower won't run on E10 longer than 30 minutes, and then it won't restart until I drain the tank and refill.

[sign216]

I just found an ethanol free gas station that offers racing gasoline VP 108 at the pump for $10/gallon.  For New England prices that's good, but I think this is leaded, so that's another issue.

I'm talking about Columbus Energies in Swansea, MA;  http://columbusenergies.com/

[n3303j]

I just found an ethanol free gas station that offers racing gasoline VP 108 at the pump for $10/gallon.  For New England prices that's good, but I think this is leaded, so that's another issue.

I'm talking about Columbus Energies in Swansea, MA;  http://columbusenergies.com/

Guess they are near enough to Seekonk Speedway that they have the customers for that product.

[sign216]

Guess they are near enough to Seekonk Speedway that they have the customers for that product.

Ron,

Makes sense, I forgot about that.  Sadly, I think "VP 108" on the pump  refers to VP fuel C12, which is leaded.  So not good for my Guzzi, unless I want to foul my catalytic converters. 

I've got several vintage bikes (and a vintage sidevalve snowblower) that were designed for leaded non-ethanol.  $10/gallon is cheap for race gas, but it's still a little costly for routine operations.

Joe

[sib]

This thread reads more like a religious revival than a serious fuel discussion.  It is also reminiscent of discussions about food "allergies" and "cleansing" diets.

Ethanol is bad for aluminum??  Show me the facts.
Ethanol-containing fuel doesn't store well?  Since when?  And since when should anyone be storing fuel exposed to the atmosphere, where it can evaporate, anyway?
Labeling of gas pumps?  In my area, the stickers only state that the fuel "may contain up to 10% ethanol".  That means it might contain as little as 0%.  Not very informative.
Better mileage with ethanol-free?  Maybe a bit, but not more miles per dollar.  Anyway, both my car (Prius) and motorcycle (V7II) get better than 45 mpg, so I'm not obsessing about fuel mileage.

Sorry, I'll remain a skeptic, and my cars and bikes will continue to run just fine on fuel that "may contain up to 10% ethanol".  I don't worrying about gumming up the engines on my cars, motorcycles (fuel sits in the tank just fine over winter), or emergency generator (fuel sits in the tank for many months, sometimes years, between uses).  I've got more important things to worry about.

[Testarossa]

Many small planes can be recertified to run on hi-octane auto fuel ("mogas"), but not my Piper Comanche. Piper and the FAA were explicit that ethanol would damage the rubber bits in the fuel system, and since the fuel tanks were rubber bladders stuffed into the wings . . .

So I'm not at all surprised to hear that ethanol will cause rubber hoses, o-rings, gaskets and the like to soften or swell.

[Two Checks]

Maybe our skeptic should run a vehicle on straight alcohol. Then we'll see if he remains a skeptic.

[sib]

Many small planes can be recertified to run on hi-octane auto fuel ("mogas"), but not my Piper Comanche. Piper and the FAA were explicit that ethanol would damage the rubber bits in the fuel system, and since the fuel tanks were rubber bladders stuffed into the wings . . .

So I'm not at all surprised to hear that ethanol will cause rubber hoses, o-rings, gaskets and the like to soften or swell.

Well, all bets are off for antique planes, as for antique cars and bikes, but, this being the 21st century, all recent rubber hoses, o-rings, gaskets and the like are made of modern materials that can withstand ethanol.