Dolds69

Now that's it's harder than ever to find gasoline without ethanol in it (especially in Canada), I was wondering what additives have people been using, to offset the water/ethanol in fuel problem? Also is a Fuel Water Seperator a recommended add-on to run in the fuel line? Now that spring/summer is on the way I'd like to make sure of a great running 350 and any feedback or suggestions about this ethanol "problem" would sure be welcomed, thanks!

Fun71

Maybe say where you are located so that people in a similar geographical area can share their experience.

I'm in the desert southwest where it's warm and dry, so my situation is completely different from many others. I have never had any issues with ethanol fuel, either in my cars or yard equipment, even after sitting for a year or so. Other geographic locations can be much different.

joe_padavano

Here in humid Northern VA, I've been using E10 forever and I do nothing special. Hasn't been a problem. Of course, I try not to let my stuff sit for too long.

BillK

Same as what Joe said. We have had 10% for probably 30 years now if not longer. Simply has not been a problem.

allyolds68

I use 93 Octane E10 or E15 (I can't remember which) all summer long and the only issue I had was a carb accelerator pump cup, from a cheap kit, turning to mush

oldcutlass

Nothing else is required normally, I will occasionally add a bottle of Seafoam or Techron to keep everything clean.

Dolds69

Thanks for all the replies, In Saskatchewan the car sits for at least 6 months in the winter, this will be the first summer that all pumps here will have ethanol mixed with gasoline and I just wanted to see if anyone had any problems with this fuel blend. I've read a lot of articles saying how bad it is for the carburetor, fuel lines and tank, so it's always good to hear decent feedback from others who now use the "new" gasoline in the older engines.

joe_padavano

How recent are all the rubber products in your fuel system. The biggest problem I've had is with plastic carb floats. Whenever I rebuild a carb, I install a brass float. Also, so long as the rubber hoses have been replaced in the last 10-15 years they should be ethanol compatible. For six months I'd probably use a stabilizer of some sort in the tank.

Fun71

Also, the accelerator pump in the carburetor can be degraded by ethanol fuel. In the carb rebuild kits I have used, the "old style" are black rubber and the newer ones that are ethanol resistant are blue.

Dolds69

Well okay I'll keep an eye on or replace the rubber fuel lines, since they're at least ten years old and not sure if they are ethanol friendly. Running a Holley (1850) 600cfm carb. hopefully no parts will be affected and make the engine run wonky (or will look about getting an updated rebuild kit), Added some Lucas ethanol fuel conditioner and upper cylinder lubricant in the last fill before winter storage. I'll continue adding that mixture this summer when refueling and hope to have a problem free 2024,

OLDSter Ralph

You might be imagining a problem thats not really there.

Loaded68W34

I restored my 66 chevelle convertible 20 years ago. Gets filled with 91-93 octane E10 since finished. Running a 750 Holley. That car has sat for up to 2 years without starting when I was in the middle of other projects (usually more like 4-6 months). Other than needing to recharge the battery, it always starts and runs fine. No additives, although I usually try to fill the tank before I put it away for the year.

fleming442

It's more of an old wives tale than anything. I'd be more concerned about it "turning" or going bad before the ethanol eating the rubber. Seafoam is an excellent choice for an additive. That stuff is amazing.

Dolds69

I guess I read too much into the issues with ethanol. I had a few problems with erratic idling late last summer and after reading a few articles on the net, thought it may had to do with the "new" fuel. I can now narrow it down to maybe the fuel system, since the car had been sitting for years, I put a new sending unit (always showed full), a new tank and filter in, but didn't put on many miles before storing it away for the winter. So if ethanol isn't really the culprit, it probably was a dirty fuel system and had no need to worry about what I thought was causing the problem. Thanks all for your feedback!

joe_padavano

And that is your first problem...

ourkid2000

You have Shell stations over there in Saskatchewan? I have an email directly from them last year that their V-Power high grade gas has zero ethanol. If you're really looking for non-ethanol, give'r a go.

Dolds69

Shell stations are my go to for gas, but they too started adding ethanol to all there grades of fuel now. I'm sure all stations and all their fuel grades are now E10 in Sask.

ourkid2000

This is what I received back in 2022:

Gela (Shell Canada)

Jun 28, 2022, 16:37 GMT+1
Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to us.

Please check the information below:
• Bronze (87 octane) - up to 10% ethanol
• Silver (89 octane) - up to 5% ethanol
• Shell V-power Nitro+ (91 octane) - No ethanol
• Shell V-power (91/93 Octane) - up to 10% ethanol, only available in BC and Manitoba

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have other issues or concern.Regards,

Gela
Customer Operation Specialist
Shell Canada

oldcutlass

The information on ethanol content should be posted on the pump at all gas stations.

Olds64

Shell stations in the US are overpriced and often dirty and unkempt. Hopefully they're better up north. I can't remember the last time I bought gas or diesel at Shell.

FStanley

I had carb problems with stuff "sticking" with ethanol gas. No can find ethanol free gas in CA except for 5 Gal cans.. my 69 Olds stills a lot.. and had to rebuild the carb it seemed every other year Been using Stabil 360 Marine additive and better brands of gasoline like Chevron. since then no more problems

ourkid2000

That's interesting, they're usually pretty classy joints here in Canada. I think there's a huge difference between the US and Canadian gas stations. We really only have about 5-6 different companies running all the gas stations in Canada and the differences between them are pretty well indistinguishable. Price differences are within a cent usually and you really can't get any type of specialty fuel at the pump. There's very very few small, independent, retailers here.

Bfg

I miss the old days when they sold condoms in the men’s room at gas stations

jaunty75

It is. By law. At least, I've never seen a gas pump that doesn't indicate the ethanol content of the gas it pumps.

ourkid2000

I don't think this is the law in Canada. I'm not 100% sure on that but I'm pretty sure they don't have to do it here.

jaunty75

I wasn't thinking of Canada. It should be the law there, too, though. Who wants to buy gas from a pump where they don't know exactly what the pump is pumping?

Olds64

Gas stations in the US can be a big deal, especially in my neck of the woods.

https://buc-ees.com/about/

Actually, driving a classic diesel truck has taught me to avoid "mom & pop" gas stations and always go to a high volume location. Water contaminates diesel easily, especially if it sits in underground storage tanks for long periods of time. Seems like good logic to follow for my Oldsmobile too.

mb13

I’m kinda lucky…I got 3 ethanol free pumps close to me. But, usually it’s usually only 89 or 90 octane. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an ethanol free pump with 93 octane.

in my cars, especially newer truck I don’t worry as much about ethanol free since they were kinda designed for it.

BUT, my newish KTM 690 did have the plastic fuel filter inside tank delaminate at the seam and caused loss of fuel pressure. The shop said to replace with steel filter since they had seen way too many plastic filters delaminate from ethanol….the plastic was fine, it just eats the seam glue I guess after about 5 years.