Ethanol increase in pump gas ?

[jtward]

I just wanted to get a 'Professional Opinion' from you GM Techs. What effect do you think an increase from 10% ethanol to 15% in pump gas ?

The EPA is pushing for the increase, Which to me is sort of contrary since if I understand the effect of Alcohol/ethanol in gasoline. If I'm correct you get worse MPG using higher amounts of ethanol, yet the very same federal agency, they have mandated that all new cars get better MPG of the new 2011 brand lineups. I see that General Motors has installed a lot of models with a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engines.

I just wonder what you guys think of and increase of ethanol. Personally I'm against it. To me it's just blowing millions of more money on the farm lobby subsistences to corn farmers ?

[motorman]

Originally Posted by jtward

I just wanted to get a 'Professional Opinion' from you GM Techs. What effect do you think an increase from 10% ethanol to 15% in pump gas ?

The EPA is pushing for the increase, Which to me is sort of contrary since if I understand the effect of Alcohol/ethanol in gasoline. If I'm correct you get worse MPG using higher amounts of ethanol, yet the very same federal agency, they have mandated that all new cars get better MPG of the new 2011 brand lineups. I see that General Motors has installed a lot of models with a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engines.

I just wonder what you guys think of and increase of ethanol. Personally I'm against it. To me it's just blowing millions of more money on the farm lobby subsistences to corn farmers ?

the way i look at this it is a way for the oil companies to make more $$$ because you have to buy more fuel to go the same distance.

[markw8]

I've often wondered who the big investers in ethenol refining are. I think the 15% thing is for these plants to become profitable. The farm lobby might also have a big hand in this.

Mark

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,

Well, thats gonna be tough to push because of one reason.

The older vehicle were NEVER made to RUN on these types of concentrations and will lead to more problems with fuel pumps, nevermind the L98 fuel injectors which run the fuel over the electrical coil. Those injectors will NEVER hold up long term to that.

Allthebest, c4c5

[vettex2]

Originally Posted by jtward

I just wanted to get a 'Professional Opinion' from you GM Techs. What effect do you think an increase from 10% ethanol to 15% in pump gas ?

seems like for every increase in ethanol , there is a corresponding decrease in mileage

[motorman]

Originally Posted by vettex2

seems like for every increase in ethanol , there is a corresponding decrease in mileage

when we went to 10% here my trip mileage in our 2004 impala with a 3800 went from 30 to 27 a loss of 10%

[vettex2]

Originally Posted by motorman

when we went to 10% here my trip mileage in our 2004 impala with a 3800 went from 30 to 27 a loss of 10%

I keep hearing this over and over too.
Thank the corn lobbyists

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

Originally Posted by motorman

when we went to 10% here my trip mileage in our 2004 impala with a 3800 went from 30 to 27 a loss of 10%

I have a 2008 Impala LTZ and all the gasoline stations in my area of the Midwest sell gasoline with 10% ethanol added (even the "name brand" stations such as Shell). My Impala has never achieved the EPA mileage ratings posted on the window sticker - even though the car now has 26,000 miles on it and has the Active Fuel Management system.

Your observation about your fuel mileage dropping about 10% is what my Impala mileage drop is.

[markw8]

The last little bit I remember reading not long ago, they were talking about 15% for (not sure the year) maybe 1990 and newer. Then making the gas stations also sell 10% for older cars. It sounds like they want to make a mess of things.

Mark

[jtward]

Originally Posted by motorman

when we went to 10% here my trip mileage in our 2004 impala with a 3800 went from 30 to 27 a loss of 10%

Well this is exactly what I meant. IF I'm not wrong, the EPA is pushing the 15% ethanol in the current energy bill which is stalled in congress, but this is the same EPA who has mandated higher MPG in 2010 and newer cars, which seems contrary to what 15% is going to do, which is decrease any gains in MPG.

But then, when is our government actions not confusing. Now the corn lobbist, these guys got their act together. And you and I get what's coming next like future engine compartment fires.