Non-Ethanol fuel in Washington

You know, I've used E-10 fuel for years in Journey On, the trucks, the car and the lawnmower. And I don't always use Sta-bil. The boat mileage has gone down a little, but I've never had any trouble directly traceable to the ethanol.

I do drain the outboard carb after I use it, since it only runs once or twice a year, but I did that before ethanol also.

The Ford sits for a month or so at a time, but starts right up. So does the Honda 150. Both the Ford and boat are fuel injected, and I assume any water or gum would really screw that up quickly. The Chevvy sits all summer when we're gone and starts when gas gets to the carb.

What kind of trouble are people having?

Boris
 
I just filled at Friday harbor fuel dock. (Shell, never was my favorite company bout oh well.) The pump jockey told me they can no longer get E-free fuel, or anyone in the islands as of May 1. Don't much like that news, but I'm not ready to give up boating to keep from having to burn the corny stuff.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
I should have updated this at the time, but Port of Bremerton went back to non-ethanol fuel. I know they just had to change suppliers again- but they are still non-ethonal.
 
The ethonol issue sounds like when we went unleaded. They charged more to take the lead out that they had to add in the 1st place!

I always wondered why the Gull at Elger Bay was so high compared to say the Arco in Stanwood. I lhave my vacation house in Elger bay and have filled at the Gull only when needed because of the high price.

Don
 
Here is an idea that works in Boise. A friend advised that the card lock companies here will accept non-commercial clients. So, I applied and was accepted and that gives me acess to both 87 and 91 octane ethanol and non ethanol gasoline here in the Valley. And of course they have diesel, whcih I don't use. Needles to say I use non-ethanol in evrything, and it is worth 1-2 mpg in our Yukon. So, you might check around your area and see if that would work for you.
I agree with the comment that it is the midwestern folks that are driving the ethanol issue. I don't think it could survive without government subsidy. Even though I am part owner in our family farm in Illinois, I have no use for ethanol as fuel. Corn should go into the food chain.
Happy Boating
 
I just read an article entitled "Auto Makers Warn New Ethanol Mandate Could Damage Vehicles". (This is in regards to E-15}

You may google it if you wish to read it.

In part the article says, "Detroit says it will ruin your Engine", "The EPA says it's Safe".

The Auto Industry says, "E-15 corrodes pumps, fuel lines and injectors".

AAA CEO Robert Darbelonet said, "95% of today's cars are not suited for E-15 based on what people who make these cars say".

Perhaps it is time to revert back to horses that can eat the corn directly. Additionally, horses can more readily manage to walk around all the broken down E-15 plugged cars abandoned on our highways. :mrgreen:
 
Most of the auto makers are saying use of E-15 will void your new car warranty. And the service departments have the means to test the alchohol content in the car's fuel.
 
We just did our May fuel price survey and the only marinas that have stopped carrying ethanol free gas (that previously told us they did have ethanol free fuel) are Blaine and Bellingham.

Go to the Fine Edge Fuel Price Survey to see the full list (http://fineedge.com/fuelsurvey.html). A lot of fuel docks are still selling ethanol free fuel and don't expect to change in the near future.
 
The Union 76 station in the Fairhaven area of Bellingham just started carrying alcohol free gas again. Their address is: 1206 12th st. Bellingham. It's on the South West corner of 12th st and Old Fairhaven Parkway. They were one of the last stations to drop it months ago, but now it's back. The owner said its been "popular".
 
Wigeon, thanks for the update. I assumed the one on Iowa St still carried the good stuff.
Small point; the address of the station you mentioned is 1602 12th St.
 
Chester, good catch! Thanks so much for updating the update. It's just nice to have good fuel available and it's right on my way to the boat ramp.
 
Port of Kingston and the Port of Pouslbo both carry ethanol free.

Port of Kingston also offers free dog treats and has a large dog walk area right above the fuel dock. No cat treats though, unless the occasional slow seagull counts.
 
It is my understanding that, except at their testing center in Yorktown, Virginia, the USCG will not purchase blended fuels at this time, so what we do is try to find out where they buy their fuel, as it is not economical for fuel depots to have a separate tank just for USCG use.

At this time they appear to have decided not to use methanol, for all the reasons that we have discussed on C-Brats, and are currently focusing on isobutanol.

Here is an interesting article on the subject in a bio-fuel trade magazine:
http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/9607/isobutanol-to-the-rescue/
 
http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=WA Is always the best place to check for ethanol free fuel. Currently it lists 200 stations. This is down significantly from about 385 about a year ago. I suspect that the costs of storing, and pricing an extra fuel are part of the issues.

I have to disagree a bit with Roger (since I own a farm where corn is grown)--most of the real farmers who work the fields hate ethanol gas as much as we do. It is the powerful ethanol lobby who has their fingers in the pie--this includes the ethanol manufactures, and some large conglomerate corporations, but not the individual guys who till the fields.

Corn prices were high, do to a relative shortage for a few years--less soy was produced--and more ethanol--then the prices of corn fell….because of a surplus..

I suspect economics have to do with the ethanol shortage in WA-on the other hand, in Calif. (14 stations listed with non ethanol)--it is almost impossible to buy non ethanol gas.
 
Well....since is too far for me to drive all the way up north every time to get Non-ethanol gas.

I use the blue/green stabil stuff every time I fill up my tanks.

On my older boat that I've already sold. I do the very same thing, add Stabil blue/green stuff; it was 90hp 2 stroke Yamaha 1989.

During the cold winters, starting October, I use the green/blue stabil and the red stabil stuff. Just run the engine making sure the Stabil stuff gets through the engine and of course the gas tank itself.

I really can't think of anything else since I prefer to buy my fuel closer to home in Seattle. That Stabil stuff is not cheap, is well worth it.
 
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