[Chrysler300] more fuel

["Bob Merritt" <rcmerritt@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Forwarding this from George Riehl:

  With the discussion lately about gasolone with various additives at the
gas stations, I have this to comment.
  In the early 80s I was Plant and Equipment manager for a gasoline
convenience store company. We had 28 stations in the Ann Arbor/Detroit
areas. All of our gasoline had ethanol, GULF, SUNOCO, SHELL and TOTAL.
Federal law allowed 10% ethanol as an additive. In other words, every 110
gallons of product had 10 (aprox) gallons of ethanol. As many of you can
remember, the pumps had a notice that the gasoline had "10% alcohol". then a
few years later, the notice was no longer required. Even in todays gasoline,
ethanol is present of at least 10%. Some brands are less.
  At the time, my company paid $1.58 for a gallon of ethanol. Gasoline at
the bulk plants was $.87 per gallon. The company sent a form to the Federal
government and got a refund of $1.00 per ethanol gallon. The State refunded
$.50. So, a gallon of ethanol cost the company $.08. When we picked up 900
gallons of ethanol first with our tank trucks, we then added 9,000 gallons
of gas. Reason? The gas then mixed with the ethanol during loading. The gas
loaded was 86 octane, not 87 octane.
  Now you wonder? Why? Well, ethanol introduced to gas raises the octane
rating. Lower octane gas burns at a faster rate, ethanol retards the burn.
So, this means that the small amount of ethanol actually raises the octane
rating to the next higher octane. "Premium" gas burns at a slower rate than
the lower brand of gas. Low octane burns "fast" causing "knock" in the
engine. "Premium" burns at a slower rate over a longer time frame. That is
why higher compression engines need the "premium". Because it starts to burn
at a slower rate but burns for a longer period of time. More energy is
produced, more "push". That is why ignition timing has to be changed when
going to Premium from Regular, and vice versa.
  Ethanol enhanced fuels also "burn" cooler than 100% gas. Ever notice
alcohol burning dragsters exhaust at the drag strips? Blue flames that
extend much further from the headders show that the "burn" rate is much
slower. But more ethanol is used than gas would be used.
  Ethanol does not harm rubber, methanol does, which is a petroleum product
and very corrosive. Fuel manufactureres tried methanol a few years ago as an
additive, but with the new cars using fuel injectors, the injectors "froze"
because methanol has no lubricant in it like ethanol (a corn product).
  One disadvantage of ethanol, when sitting in a gas tank for a few months,
the ethanol drops out of the gas and goes to the bottom of the tank. When
starting a car that has been sitting for a long period of time, you will be
pulling pure ethanol to the pump and carb. Ethanol is "heavier" than
gasoline. Vice versa like oil on water. Sometimes the car will not run
untill you add more "new" gas to the tank, and in doing so, the gas and
ethanol will remix.
  People that add "fuel line" additives to their tank is a waste. You are
adding more ethanol and another solvent. Also, winter gas has more ethanol
than summer gas so that water condensation will be absorbed by the ethanol
and fuel lines will not freeze.
  A car in long storage with ethanol, the rear end of the car should be
shaken from side to side to remix the ethanol with the gas in the tank for a
better "start".
  MTBE additives do attack the fuel pump diaphram. "New old stock" pumps
that one would buy will not last long. All pump manufacturers and rebuilders
use a new style diaphram that is not affected by MTBE. My rebuilder uses the
new diaphram material exclusivly.
  Now, I wonder if the "new" additive will be harmful to fuel pumps since
MTBE is being eliminated. But word is, the mileage per gallon will be less
with the "new" additive. One just can't win!  And the price will be higher!
  Another point to make, when filling your tank and you notice a "alcohol"
odor, then the supplier has more than 10% ethanol in his gas, maybe as much
at 20%. Ethanol is cheaper than a gallon of gas....hence more profit to the
station. Your car will run, but with lower performance, ever happen to you?
Has to me when traveling on the road looking for "cheaper" gas at some of
the off brand stations. Best to deal with well known gas stations.
   George Riehl





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