10% ethanol mix

Hey Cheeso,

There are a couple of llinks here that you should find interesting.

Out here in the peoples republic of Kalifornia ethanol is added regularly to gasoline as an oxygenator to promote cleaner burning fuel. Currently, the mixture is 5.7% ethanol. I do not run race gas as I feel it is a waste of money, and loss of power in our bikes. The only "race" gas that would be of any benefit power wise might be VP's U4E found here http://www.vpracingfuels.com/vp_01_fuels.html#leaded. But at 10 or 12 bucks a gallon I'll stick with pump gas. At least until such time that I am holding my 550 wide open all the time.

One thing about ethanol or methonal, is to be mixed with gasoline they are anhydrous. Which means no water. But, ethanol will mix readily with water. That's why it's not allowed in air planes, because at high altitudes there are very low temps, and if there is any water in the sumps of air planes which you drain on preflight, it will mix with the ethanol and freezed in the lines, or could cause carb freeze ups.

Back in the early 80's, gasohol was seen as a solution to "fuel shortage" [sic]. It was a 10% which is known as E-10. Only problem then was it was causing all kinds of problems with two strokes. I'm not sure whether it was the water that was getting absorbed by the ethanol, or if it was causing some kind of seperation of the two stroke oil and gasoline or what.

But, to answer your question. I have had no problems that I know with gasoline cut with ethanol.

Seems like there is a pretty good amount of info on the VP page. I'm sure that if you have any further questions you could contact them.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_eth ... l_mixtures
http://www.energy.ca.gov/gasoline/types ... oline.html
http://www.vpracingfuels.com/vp_01_fuels.html#leaded

Cheeso,
I used to "boost" my two stroke road machine in late '80s. It made it feel more responsive and noticeably faster right across the rev range but could make the engine run hotter! you may have to adjust the timing slightly to compensate for this. but i am sure someone will know how much to retard the ignition by to allow the 4-stroke to run ok. But it will be interesting to find out how you go with a fuel mix!

cheeso said:

has anyone run a 10% ethanol 90% petrol mix in their bike? If so how did it go and was any adjustment necessary? Thanks

Click to expand...

Hallo.
Some of the iceracing riders have in their Husaberg 650 mixed 15% ethanol E85, which we find at the local petrolstation.
It increases the output but they go for a mainjet of 205-210 on the Kehin carb, otherwise it will not work, some problem getting it started when its cold, but when running its great.
Its not allowed to mix in E85 in the race regulations from our federation.

//Thomas