Ethanol in fuel

[westtx]

I notice some of the many warning stickers on my new Epic say not to use fuels with alcohol. Since the Congress, in its infinite wisdom, has declared that most gas will have at least 10% ethanol from now on, what do we need to do to modify our boats to run this fuel safely?

[Lakeside]

If you don't want to use Ethanol, check this map and buy your gas in a non-RFG county:

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/rfg/whereyoulive.htm

With a new law that goes into effect on May 5, oil companies will not have product liability immunity if they use MTBE to reformulate gas.  Since it is believed that MTBE contaminates groundwater, oil companies are switching to Ethanol in areas where they must provide reformulated gas.  Some parts of the country, particularly in Texas, have relied on MTBE so the switch to Ethanol will probably cause a tight market in some areas.

You may want to call a gas station or two in a non-RFG county near you to see what they are selling.  There can be local blends in some areas.  For example, in Wisconsin, they almost passed an E-10 (10% Ethanol) law which would have required Ethanol for regular grade gasoline everywhere in the state.  This was a political bone that they were trying to throw to corn farmers.  Fortunately, this got shot down in the state senate and we will not have statewide use of Ethanol.

I live in an RFG county that uses Ethanol.  Fortunately, I live close enough to a neighboring non-RFG county to buy gas so I don't have to deal with Ethanol rotting the gaskets, etc. on the boat. 

(If you're in the Milwaukee area the closest non-RFG stations are the Exxon station on Hwy 41 just over the Dodge County line or the Shell station at I-94 and Johnson Creek in Jefferson County.  The BP station at I-94 and Ixonia has been selling Ethanol - check before you pump at Ixonia.)

[skiboarder]

SELLING MY BAREFOOT BOOM ON E BAY HAD IT ON A 99 EPIC 21
BAREFOOT INTERNATIONAL BOOM

[eagle1wi]

I wish I knew what it would wreck by using Ethanol fuel.  Are rubber gaskets the only issues?  How about the lines?

I run to Walworth county (Lake Geneva or Lyons, WI) to get gas for the TOY because Racine and Kenosha counties have to sell reformulated gas.

It sounds like you Texas guys are going to have fewer and fewer choices to do it that way. 

Any input from the Cali folks?  You have the darn stuff there too.

[westtx]

Thanks for the RFG link, Lakeside. That explains why I'm seeing the pump stickers in Houston and Dallas but not in West Texas. I think they are required to post the ethanol content when added, but I think I'll call our local refinery just to make sure.

[jangell]

Stupid question...New to Washington.

Is this an issue with Gas in Seattle, WA?

[Lakeside]

Nope, it's pretty much just an issue where you can see the air that you breathe.  Click on the EPA web link listed above and you can see a map of the RFG areas.

[jangell]

Many thanks...Didn't see anything onth epumps in Seattle...But you never know.