Dangers Of Ethanol Gasoline

In today’s hi-tech world, it is a fact of life that so called “improvements” steadily occur in our daily lives. One area of concern for the Vintage Jeep user is the addition of Ethanol to the gasoline supply.

While most collectors are aware that they must use a lead additive to the unleaded gasoline (without lead gas or lead additive valves and guides will wear out prematurely). How many are aware of the detrimental effects of Ethanol to our vehicles? Have you ever experienced a sudden drop in oil pressure? Read on.

Our environmentally aware society has accepted the corn additive Ethanol into their gasoline supply with hardly a whimper. While it ensures the oil companies will make greater profit, it also can destroy your jeep engine. The problem lies in that Ethanol dissolves the organic components often used in vintage vehicles. Not only does it turn your fuel pump diaphragm to mush, but before it does
that final bit of destruction, it can initiate much more serious internal engine damage. That same diaphragm can become perforated with small pin holes. As the pump continues its function, gasoline can leak through the side of the block where the pump is mounted. As the volume of gasoline in the engine increases,the thinning oil loses pressure and its ability to lubricate properly. Bearing failure can result in just a short while.

Signs of trouble include soot on your tailpipe,blue smoke from the gas coming out the tailpipe and of course,your dash gauge showing the decreasing pressure.
If any of these warning signs are evident, then stop operation immediately and investigate before its too late.

The diaphragm meltdown can also clog your in line filter and makes its way to the carburetor where it plugs the small orifices which make the carb operate. Complete dis assembly is required when this happens. Having been through this scenario, I bought a new fuel pump with a synthetic filter. Problem solved! I am a purist when it comes to restoration, but remember that NOS pump you just found on Ebay has some serious limitations. (Especially in 2010 when its practically impossible to forgo Ethanol.)

NOTE: Ethanol is equally deadly to 2 cycle engines. ATV”S, Mopeds/Motorcycles and chainsaws to name a few.