What's the Deal with E-10 Ethanol Fuel Problems?

We at Union Farm Equipemnt are often asked, “What’s the deal with this E-10 gasoline? What is it and how does it affect the engines on my machines?”

E-10 gasoline, which is 10% ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and 90% gasoline, was developed to replace gasoline containing the additive MTBE. It was found that the MTBE was contaminating groundwater supplies when leaked or spilled at gas stations.

There are several issues with E-10 gasoline.

* The alcohol in the fuel couples with moisture in the air, causing water buildup in the tank, which will settle at the bottom.
* When enough water/ethanol mix separates from the fuel, the fuel loses octane, which causes a loss in performance.
* Ethanol is a powerful solvent. It will strip fuel tanks and fuel lines of any tars, organic sediment, gum or varnish and carry those contaminants to the fuel system, causing plugged fuel filters, injectors or carburetors.
* Ethanol has also been known to erode the inner lining of older fuel line hoses, causing fine particles to clog fuel filters, injectors or carburetors.
* In cold weather, the water/alcohol phase can also freeze, turning into a syrupy mix that plugs filters.
* When that ethanol/water is sucked into the fuel system and combustion chamber, bad things happen to engines. Expensive things.

These issues are less common in autos and equipment that see regular use. What is affected is equipment that sees only occasional use or is put into seasonal storage, such as lawnmowers, snow blowers, wood splitters, trimmers, etc. Small engine equipment is especially susceptible to these affects.

Star Brite has introduced Star Tron, a revolutionary fuel additive based on enzyme technology that can prevent these water-related fuel problems. The enzyme package in Star Tron disperses water derived from normal condensation into microscopic clusters, and allows the water to pass through the fuel system and engine harmlessly, preventing the buildup on the tank bottom that can contribute to poor performance, fuel gelling and corrosion.

This de-watering effect prevents potential phase separation. If large amounts of water are already present it will be de-emulsified and drop out of the body of the fuel, improving overall fuel performance. Over a period of time, with fresh gas loads treated with Star Tron, even large accumulations of water will be totally eliminated.

Star Tron can also counter the effects of lost octane, greatly improving the combustion performance of E-10 fuel that has had water contamination.

Star Tron can also prevent filter plugging from old gum and varnish. The enzymes help break down the dislodged sludge and other deposits into sub-micron-sized particles that usually pass through the fuel filter and are burned away as part of the combustion process. Tank deposits that would cause gelling are solubilized so that fuel flows uninterrupted through the filters.

One 8 ounce bottle of Star Tron treats up to 48 gallons of gasoline.

source: villagesoup