3TGTE using Ethnol

[ThaNav]

Hi people, just wondering if anyone would know if the ethnol fuel is safe to use in a 3TGTE or not

Thanks
Nav

[jeffro ra28]

fuel injected? then yes.

[merc-blue]

need your entier injection system converted to ethanol suited pumps and stuff, also a aftermarket computer,
Why? normaly ethanol is only used in sprint cars or very high performance drag cars and a 3TGTE doesnt really seem to fit into either of these catagorys

[jeffro ra28]

are we talking the fuel that you buy from the pump that contains ethanol?

Merc, ethanol is junk, sprints cars and high performance use Methanol.

[mideon_696]

it will be fine, no reason why it wont be

[roadsailing]

here is the easy rule:

ethanol for drinking

methanol for racing

dont get the two mixed up, as you will either clog up your fuel system or go blind, both of which are not so good.

[merc-blue]

opps my bad, i got hit in the head today by a 9 inch and havnt been thinking stright

[ThaNav]

the fuel that i'm talking about is ethnol (not sure of the spelling) We have it here in QLD, they usually mix about 10% ethnol with regular or premium fuel. I just wanna make sure its ok to use and that i wont damage my engine

[mideon_696]

thats what i thought u were talkin bout, ive been using a 5% blend for a little while now, hasnt hurt it, get more k's though

[ThaNav]

the other reason that i ask is that they said that its ok to use in most post 1986 cars, my 3tgte being around 1985ish so not too sure if its safe

[ian]

opps my bad, i got hit in the head today by a 9 inch and havnt been thinking stright

a nine inch what? merc blue
you have me worried
ian

[slapper]

from Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries website (http://www.fcai.com.au/ethanol.php/2...0000005.html):

Toyota
Camry with carburettor engines pre July 1989 and Corolla pre July 1994; Supra - pre May 1993, Cressida - pre Feb 1993, Paseo - pre Aug 1995, Starlet - pre July 1999, Land Cruiser - pre Aug 1992, Coaster - pre Jan 1993, Dyna - pre May 1995, Tarago - pre Oct 1996, Hilux , Hiace, & 4 Runner - pre Aug 1997, Townace - pre Dec 1998
E10: NOPE
E15: NOPE

All models except above
E10: oh yeah
E15: bring it on

okay ... so I paraphrased a bit.

In general, it's not so much the engine you're worried about .. it's the fuel system

• will it finish up too lean and cook my high-compression motor?
• will the steel components suffer too much from corrosion?
• will the plastic fittings fall apart?
• will the rubber (hoses, fuel pump diaphragm, injector seals etc) die a horrible death and dribble fuel everywhere, resulting in an unprecedented collapse of the building industry, the death of all cats within a 3 km radius and an increased propensity for popular radio stations to play rap music?

I hummed and hah'd ... should I, shouldn't I? ... I mean, people could just follow the link and read it for themselves ... no ... yes ...

yes, I will cut and paste useful info from the website:

REASONS WHY ETHANOL BLENDED PETROL IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE IN SOME OLDER VEHICLES

Introduction

The following information outlines the key reasons why vehicle manufacturers do not recommend the use of any ethanol/petrol blended fuels in vehicles made before 1986. This information is also applicable to post-1986 vehicles listed as unsuitable to use ethanol blended petrol.

Ethanol has a number of important chemical and physical properties that need to be considered in a vehicle's design.

Carburettor Equipped Engines

Vehicles made before 1986 vehicles were predominantly equipped with carburettors and steel fuel tanks.

The use of ethanol blended petrol in engines impacts the air/fuel ratio because of the additional oxygen molecules within the ethanol's chemical structure.

Vehicles with carburettor fuel systems may experience hot fuel handling concerns. This is because the vapour pressure of fuel with ethanol will be greater (if the base fuel is not chemically adjusted) and probability of vapour lock or hot restartability problems will be increased.

As a solvent, ethanol attacks both the metallic and rubber based fuels lines, and other fuel system components.

Ethanol also has an affinity to water that can result in corrosion of fuel tanks and fuel lines. Rust resulting from this corrosion can ultimately block the fuel supply rendering the engine inoperable. Water in the fuel system can also result in the engine hesitating and running roughly.

Fuel Injected Engines

In addition to the issues mentioned above for carburettor equipped engines, the use of ethanol blended petrol in fuel injection systems will result in early deterioration of components such as injector seals, delivery pipes, and fuel pump and regulator.

Mechanical fuel injection systems and earlier electronic systems may not be able to fully compensate for the lean-out effect of ethanol blended petrol, resulting in hesitation or flat-spots during acceleration.

Difficulty in starting and engine hesitation after cold start can also result.


Slapper

[jfallen]

my 1968 carbie corona loves the ethanol blended fuels.

don't see what all the fuss is about.

Jordan

[jeffro ra28]

probly cause it slightly leans it out...
I ran pure methanol in my street rego'd 2tg. it loved it to! Still dont mean that your seals and needle and seat in your carb wont rot to bits. I think the main problem with methanol/ethanol is when it is let go dry... When its ran everyday there isnt much of a problem.

[milosamun]

There's nothing wrong with ethanol, the brazillians have been using it for years. It has a higher octane than petrol, produces cleaner emmisions an better threshold for detonation. It is slightly corosive however and any vehicle using it needs better quality fuel hose rubber and nickel plated fuel rails/injectors. Methanol is more volitile though, and produces more power which is why crazy speed obsessed drag racers use it.