| [GMCnet] Another interesting observation on ethanol fuel [message #332790] |
Wed, 30 May 2018 10:17  |
glwgmc
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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A lot has been discussed about the effects of todays ethanol laced fuels on older vehicles like our carbureted GMCs. EFI certainly helps but is only part of the story. What about more modern vehicles designed in the ethanol fuel era? We have a 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman that we use as a tow car. It has a very modern BMW turbocharged engine that performs very well indeed pushing a vehicle that only weighs 2600 pounds. But, it has always exhibited a stumble for a few minutes after first starting it. Once warmed up it seems fine. It requires premium fuel.
A local service station here in rural southern Oregon started carrying non-ethanol premium recently. It sells for about 10% more than ethanol premium. I decided to try a tank to see if there was any difference. Filling the tank took about 2/3 of its capacity so had about 1/3 of ethanol fuel left in the tank. Aside from all the potentially placebo effect observations about running better and being faster, etc., there was a dramatic change that is objective, not subjective. The cold start stumble is largely gone. There still is a little bit of hesitation just after being started cold, but no where near the stumble experienced before.
If fuel mileage increases by 10%, which I suspect it will, then it will be a push from a price standpoint. Unfortunately we leave again the middle of this month on a six to eight week junket through the NW and out to Gillette, WY for the FMCA national rally before a round about return. Since we won’t necessarily have access to non-ethanol premium fuel for the tow car everywhere, I won’t really be able to judge any change in fuel consumption over multiple fill ups. Once I can get three or more consecutive fill ups on this non-ethanol premium fuel I will report whether the mileage change makes up for the additional cost or not.
What has been the experience of those of you who live in Canada and can access non-ethanol gasoline most everywhere. Do you find it cost effective to run consistently in your GMC?
Jerry
Jerry & Sharon Work
Kerby, OR
glwork@mac.com
http://jerrywork.com
Now, Prevost Country Coach
Formerly 78 Royale with most everything done to modernize a GMC mechanically and
77/94 Clasco that looked like it just left the Clasco facility. Loved them both.
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Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
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