The AMA weighs in on the dangers of higher ethanol ratios
There is a movement in Minnesota right now that is looking to the EPA for approval to adopt a 20 percent ethanol blend as a replacement for standard fare gasoline. This has prompted the American Motorcyclist Association to question whether or not the effects of running higher ethanol ratios in motorcycle engines might pose the risk of inadvertently damage the engine. They wonder if sufficient testing has been done to assure that there will be no problems. While the AMA is focusing solely on motorcycles, the question would apply to any internal combustion engines which were not designed to be used with an alcohol fuel. As you may be aware, certain rubber components inside an engine might not be compatible with alcohol, and certain metal components might also be a concern.
This would be a concern outside the state of Minnesota as well, because when one state gets a waiver, others are free to follow suit. This is why California's more stringent emissions requirements have been adopted in other states as well. Currently, gasoline sold to consumers can contain up to 10 percent ethanol.
[Source: The American Motorcyclist Association]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
A.Brien 4:36PM (7/06/2007)
They tune engine for years and years to burn gasoline only. By adding percentage of ethanol they
detune the engine especially old one. Ethanol absorb water, even just a wet day can damage something, imagine a boat or a motorcycle that don't run for a couple of weeks. the market cannot change his way 3-4 time a year, politic change thing almost each month... They have a disease call
changing the price and laws continually and it seem
to grow . Maybe they live in a world of theories
instead of goodwill and understanding. They should put instead a minimum quantity of petroluem reserve
for the oil compagny. The oil compagnies produce to
just a quantity and any little change in the market
or meteo or even just a spill can injustifially increase the price. The politicians must put the oil compagnies as service public and put a minimum reserve for that stuff.
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