Re: Corn-based Ethanol & our old cars?

[David Manly]

I just returned from Yamaha 4-stroke outboard technical training and the 
subject of E85 was discussed quite a bit.

Yamaha's opinion at this point (or understanding) is that there is 
significant changes required to the fuel system to permit long term usage of 
this fuel as it is somewhat more corrosive to the fuel tank, fuel lines and 
filters. They did not touch on the engine management side of things, but 
more as to the plastic lined fuel tanks and fuel lines that Ford had to use 
rather than plain metal like current.

If this is the actual case, (as was the case way back in the 70's with the 
high alcohol content fuels eating away the metal parts of the fuel system) 
then it would be impossible to use this fuel in our older Oldsmobile's 
without major fuel system changes, let alone the engine management changes.

There are two types of alcohol they use ion fuel, ethanol and methanol, I 
believe one is more actively corrosive than the other? Any chemists out 
there that want to comment on this?

I know that I was going to try a alcohol/water injection mix on my 
supercharged Olds when I swap out to a higher boost supercharger unit. But 
that will be in its own plastic tank and hosing.

David