HI Al & All others:
Yes there is a way to get rid of the alcohol in auto fuel so that it may be
used in our coupes without problems! The method I use is to only put 4 gallons
of mogas in each 5 gal plastic can. Then when I get home I add about a pint of
water to each can and mix / shake vigorously. After letting them sit and
settle for several hours I repeat the mix / shake vigorously bit then tilt each
so that one corner is at a low point and wait a bit longer. Next I siphon the
water/alcohol mixture into a gallon plastic milk container until I am getting
clean gasoline. After the siphoned mixture settles I carefully pour the gas
off the top and use it in the cars or lawnmower.
Our mogas here in N. Calif. seems to have approximately 10% alcohol so I
usually get about 3.6 gals of good fuel. This is a real pain but I figure the
lack of leaded up plugs and stuck exhaust valves is worth it! No stuck valves
and no cleaning a spark plug in over 700 hours / 5 1/2 years! Yes they are
fine wire plugs courtesy of the previous owner. And when I have to use 100
Lotsa Lead I always add STP.
Good luck, fly safely: Maynard Smith, NC99843.
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----- Original Message -----
From: AJ DeMarzo
To: ety
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:18 AM
Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] Tank cleaning (fuel failures)
Lynn;
It's pretty clear in the maintenance manual that sloshing compound was used.
I wouldn't use it now for anything, we know what happens to it. I've heard
(here we go again) that the alcohol in autogas will evaporate within a week if
left open. Any confirmation of that or is there a way to remove the alcohol
from the fuel? Sounds like a question for one of those EAA guys.
Al DeMarzo
Visit the Ercoupe Swap Page - Free and Easy
http://www.ercoupeowners.com/swap/swapbook.htm
----- Original Message -----
From: Ed Burkhead
To: ety
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 6:08 AM
Subject: RE: [ercoupe-tech] Tank cleaning (fuel failures)
Lynn wrote:
> I believe that much of the sloshing compound loosening has
> been due to the indiscriminate use of auto gas through the
> years. I also believe that now that the ethanol laws have
> been passed, any user of auto fuel will end up with some
> percentage of alcohol in their fuel.
> I must admit that I was amazed at the sticker on the fuel
> pump at Wal Mart (Murphy's) this week. It actually stated
> that their gasoline could contain up to 10% alcohol. I knew
> most states have approved its use, and gas stations are
> not required to post the fact.
Lynn,
Here in the Central States, (Iowa, Illinois) where I live, we've seen that
10% alcohol sticker on most of the gas pumps for 10-20 years.
There are still a few stations that brag about "no alcohol in our fuel"
though now that's usually just in one grade.
Anyone who uses autofuel in their airplane has needed to do the olive jar
test forever around here.
But it's surprising you are just now seeing those 10% alcohol advisories.
You live in Florida, right? Well, enjoy.
The only negative aspect I've seen is that when you first use gasohol in a
vehicle not used to it is that it cleans the entire fuel system and may gunk up
the fuel filter. If you get a choking kind of intermittent power loss at high
power settings, it may be time to change the fuel filter.
When first using gasohol in a not-brand-new vehicle, it may be a good idea
to carry around a spare fuel filter and tools necessary to change it by the
side of the road.
_______________________
I've heard at least one mechanic claim that sloshing compound isn't
authorized in Ercoupe tanks. I sure don't know. It's certainly been used a
lot over the last 60 years.
But, if you have sloshing compound in your tanks, you'd better be hyper
careful about your fuel, perhaps restricting yourselves to 100LL.
Yet, removing the sloshing compound may require fixing the problem (leak)
that caused someone to slosh the tnak in the first place.
What joy!
Ed
Ed Burkhead
http://edburkhead.com East Peoria, Illinois
ed -at- edburkhead???.com (change -at- to @ and remove "???")
