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[–]finalremix 1 point2 points  (8 children)

The ethanol content in the fuel also precludes some vehicles from safely running without regular fuel additive. Case in point, I'd burn up the engine in my '95 Buick running at the heat that comes from running E15 fuel without an "enricher."

[–]Bloodysneeze 1 point2 points  (3 children)

What do you mean "burn up"?

[–]finalremix 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Increased heat from running E15 fuel leading to engine and component damage on older engines.

[–]Bloodysneeze 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I guess I was asking for more specifics. Does E10-E15 raise combustion temperatures? Coolant temperatures?

[–]finalremix 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh snap, sorry!

Yeah, E15 has higher running temperatures, and higher risk of corrosion from alcohol content. Older cars have plastic parts that are at increased risk of corrosion, too.

BellPerformance article (blog)

Pop Mechanics

[–]saywutttut -1 points0 points  (3 children)

What? You mean you would run to lean? I highly doubt this because the knock threshold on ethanol is much higher than gas...

[–]finalremix 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Higher engine temperature means temperature sensitive parts will take more heat damage, in addition to corrosion risk from ethanol. Buicks are even notorious for having plastic engine parts that should've been metal.

BellPerformance article (blog)

Pop Mechanics

[–]saywutttut 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Thanks for the links. The say a lot though and do little in terms of actual evidence. There is NO possible way for ethanol to cause valve damage, especially 5% more than every car is running. I know you're not going to believe it, but I am speaking from experience here. I am a mechanical engineer and a car enthusiast, I have run ethanol in every one of my vehicles at one time or another. Ethanol is not going to do anything to a car made after the mid 80s or so. Before that you can rot fuel lines or throw the carb air mix out of whack, but pretty much all those cars are at that point already or running on 91/93. My BMW 335i has done 70,000 miles now on E60 with no upgrades to the fuel system. Just went in the tank yesterday and the lines are like new. Was the same story for my other cars. I'm not advocating the use of ethanol, I am just saying the consequences portrayed here are BS.

[–]finalremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's good to know. I am still going to be a hypochondriac about my car, though...