Given the choice which fuel?

Discussion in 'Dodge Challenger General Discussions' started by Sexy Blue, Oct 19, 2024.

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  1. Oct 19, 2024 at 9:07 AM #1
    Sexy Blue

    Sexy Blue AKA Bob

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    I can get 91 Octane with no ethanol at Stewarts shops, and that is what I have been using, because I hear ethanol gets in the oil.

    Or I can get Sunoco with 94 Octane, but it has ethanol.
     
  2. Oct 19, 2024 at 9:20 AM #2
    Moparisto

    Moparisto Full Access Member

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    So, supposedly ethanol get in the oil. Ethanol boils at 173 degrees Fahrenheit.

    The oil is thermostatically set to cool at 190 degrees. Your engine itself is around 200 or so.

    Any ethanol in the oil will evaporate and escape via the crankcase breather, according to these presents.

    Your engine produces FAR more water during combustion, and it does not collect in a grand puddle in the oil pan. It, too, evaporates, and it has a higher boiling point than does the alcohol.

    You could do a dyno run with the 94 and one with the 91 and see which one pulls less timing/gives more power/increases male potency/fights excess leg hair/whatever. :D

    Also, you can do an impromptu mileage test to see if there is a measurable increase in fuel consumption with the booze.
     
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  3. Oct 19, 2024 at 7:33 PM #3
    Cloverdale

    Cloverdale Full Access Member

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    That you're aware of this possibly being an issue suggests you've done more research than most on the topic. I've run a 40% ethanol mix with 92 for many years in my BMW's with no oil degradation or increased change frequency. I've also run 92 with ethanol for many years in my Dodge with no apparent issue.
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2024
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  4. Oct 20, 2024 at 7:25 AM #4
    Sexy Blue

    Sexy Blue AKA Bob

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    According to soy boy, it doesn't cause any harm. A dozen one way, two half dozen another.

     
  5. Oct 20, 2024 at 8:44 AM #5
    SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

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    Excessive use of ethanol may eventually lead to corrosion in your engine's fuel system. That's because it is an oxygenated fuel, meaning that it brings more oxygen into the fuel system than normal gasoline, and that could indeed lead to corrosive oxidation, especially with engines built before 2001. Because ethanol is also an alcohol, it tends to attract more moisture than petroleum-based gasoline, which could elevate the risk of rust developing in engine components. Such risks are, understandably, higher for E85-rated fuel than E10 (10% ethanol) or E15 (15% ethanol), due to the elevated presence of the substance (as much as 85%) in its mixture.

    These risks, however, are limited by the inclusion of corrosion-fighting additives in most pump fuels containing ethanol, and the limiting of the levels of ethanol included in gasoline mixtures to 10% or 15%. Likewise, it's believed that drivers will generally burn through a tank of gas fast enough that the risk for corrosion is dramatically decreased. As for E85 gas, if your vehicle is compatible with the high ethanol fuel or has been modified to properly process it, your engine may not experience any issues.

    Apart from the potential to cause damage to your vehicle's engine, ethanol gas is also believed to reduce fuel economy in most vehicles by as much as 3% compared to petroleum-based fuels. It's also proven to have a shorter service life than traditional gasoline, lasting about three months in the tank as opposed to its counterpart's six-month lifespan.

    On the positive side, ethanol burns cleaner than traditional gasoline. As the rule goes, more oxygen in the mixture allows fuel to burn more completely during combustion, and that results in the reduction of damaging emissions like hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. Ethanol also boosts octane levels in gasoline, helping increase both speed and horsepower in most vehicles while also reducing engine misfires. Those facts have helped E15 blended gasoline become a preferred fuel on the NASCAR circuit

    Read More: https://www.slashgear.com/1644266/ethanol-car-engine-damage/
     
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  6. Oct 20, 2024 at 9:34 AM #6
    Moparisto

    Moparisto Full Access Member

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    Good points, that I had not even considered.

    Rust and corrosion due to ethanol definitely call for every component in contact with the fuel to be either highly resistant to or proof of alcohol fuels.
     
  7. Oct 20, 2024 at 10:56 AM #7
    Sexy Blue

    Sexy Blue AKA Bob

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    Considering I am on summer Indy radials that turn to "big wheel plastic tires" below 40 degrees, I am going to finish out this fall with the Non Ethanol. Then Blue can hibernate with no water attracting ethanol in the tank.

    Come next spring, I'll try the 94 Octane, with ethanol.
     
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  8. Oct 20, 2024 at 1:31 PM #8
    Moparisto

    Moparisto Full Access Member

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    L
    O
    L
     
  9. Oct 21, 2024 at 11:02 AM #9
    SFCR

    SFCR Full Access Member

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    I use 93 octane non-ethanol. If I use any ethanol fuel, I add Sta-Bil Marine 360. That advice came from a Mopar tech with many years of experience. After several years, so far so good. I’ve also removed a spark plug or two and scoped the cylinder and top of the piston; all is well.
     
  10. Oct 21, 2024 at 11:07 AM #10
    Sexy Blue

    Sexy Blue AKA Bob

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    I would not think any alcohol will be left after ignition. Even if it gets an injection on shut down, just before combustion, I doubt it would harm the cylinders. More worried about what happens in the fuel system while in storage.
     
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