10%ethanol fuel storage...???

[madmyk]

Maybe this should be under a different area but.....


I have been hearing that gasoline with higher levels of ethanol do not store well. I know, gas doesn't store well at all, but the added ethanol makes it worse.?
My googling has not provide much in the way of info. Does anyone know how the ethanol affects storage life?

[alpmco]

I don't know the details but I heard the alcohol absorbs water.
I also hear the alcohol is corrosive to some materials like certain plastics and rubbers.

[soberups]

Ethanol will absorb moisture from the air, but if you keep your fuel stored in an airtight container and use a stabilizer (like Sta-Bil) the 10% ethanol shouldnt make a difference. I have used 18-month old stored gas with 10% ethanol and had no problems with it.

[BobS]

soberups is correct. The key is AIRTIGHT containers. One trick I have seen used is dry ice in the emply container until it completely sublimates. Then add fuel SLOWLY to fill the container. Be sure to allow for expansion (means allow 10% space for the remaining CO2 from the dry ice).

Best regards,

Bob