emma@uw-june (Joe Pfeiffer) (01/11/84)
Here's part of an article from The Wall Street Journal, Monday 1/9/84. Of particular interest to owners of cars with fuel injection, especially in Detroit. EPA Proposes Fines Over Alcohol Levels in Detroit Area Fuel WASHINGTON-In its first major enforcement action aimed at excessive use of alcohol in gasoline, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed fines totaling $550,000 against 17 gasoline blenders in the Detroit area. The agency accused the companies of mixing illegally large amounts of alcohol in fuel sold at more than 40 gasoline stations in the area during the past few months. One blender used 40 times the legally allowable limit for such additives, the EPA charged. Agency officials said the move is part of a larger federal effort to crack down on gasoline producers, blenders or retailers that are suspected of using excessive amounts of low-priced alcohol to boost profit margins. Using such fuel can damage important engine parts, substantially increase the amount of pollution emitted by vehicles and cause repair bills of hundreds of dollars for motorists. -------------- The article goes on to mention similar investigations in California and Ohio. Specific gas brands are not mentioned. -Joe P.
seifert@ihuxl.UUCP (D.A. Seifert) (01/12/84)
[not a blank line] > Agency officials said the move is part of a larger federal > effort to crack down on gasoline producers, blenders or retailers that > are suspected of using excessive amounts of low-priced alcohol to boost > profit margins. >> Then I heard (not read) about the use of >> methanol as a gasoline additive to lower price and raise >> octane. I also heard this was bad for the carburetor and some auto >> manufactures said it could invalidate new car warranties. I take it the economics of gasahol have changed. Used to be it was subsidized by the govt. as an experiment and was *still* more expensive than straight gasoline. Gasahol is fine for some cars, bad for others. Check the owner's manual or find out from the manufacturer regarding your particular car/truck/bike/etc. DO NOT ASSUME that it's ok unless you have it from good authority that it's ok. (If you ask the dealer, get it in writing!) Dave Seifert BMWCCA, Windy City Chapter -- _____ /_____\ from the flying doghouse of /_______\ Snoopy |___| ____|___|_____ ihnp4!ihuxl!seifert
parnass@ihuxf.UUCP (Robert S. Parnass, AJ9S) (01/12/84)
I think the article Joe quotes refers to methyl alcohol, which some auto manufacturers claim is detrimental to engines. Gasohol contains ethyl alcohol, a different animal. I've used gasohol exclusively since 1979 or 1980 in a Jeep CJ5 and a Chevy Blazer with no ill effects. The ethyl alcohol in gasohol helps prevent gas line freeze in the winter, so I never have to add "Heet", which is methyl alcohol. -- ============================================================================ Robert S. Parnass, AT&T Bell Laboratories, ihnp4!ihuxf!parnass (312)979-5760
paulsen@wxlvax.UUCP (01/12/84)
About a month ago a New York City tv news report said that New York City area Arco unleaded gas was actually gasohol, but not marked on the pumps as being such. Arco admitted it, and promised to label the pumps properly. Beware if you don't like gasahol.
holzwort@ittral.UUCP (Paul Holzworth) (01/13/84)
I have been using gasohol in a 1976 Mustang 302 cu in for about two years now. I have had no problems and am pleased by the fact that since it is 90 octane, it doesn't "ping" like regular unleaded. I am a firm believer in gasohol and prefer it when I can find it.
berry@zehntel.UUCP (01/17/84)
#R:uw-june:-85200:zinfandel:3200046:000:478 zinfandel!berry Jan 16 13:06:00 1984 Gasahol can cause severe damage to the fuel injection system in any car with Bosch L-Jetronic or K-jetronic fuel injection. I always use Union 76 unleaded in my (Bosch fuel injected) FIAT Brava. Other unleadeds would ping and knocl, and I had to use 'premium unleaded'. Since '76 unleaded costs less than other brands of premium unleaded, though more than other brands straight unleaded, I use it. Berry Kercheval Zehntel Inc. (ihnp4!zehntel!zinfandel!berry) (415)932-6900