Additives May Solve E-15 Issues

Ethanol-blended fuel can cause damage in engines such as those found in lawn equipment, like mowers and gas trimmers. However, an additive to ethanol-fuel can make a difference. Tom Horn, from TeamBG, performed the test using a small amount of 87-octane gasoline. The gas was poured in a test tube and within a few seconds, you could see the phase separation. That means water, from the ethanol mixture, began to separate from the gasoline. Food coloring was added to see clearly this process. And, water in any kind of engine fuel line and other parts is not good.

Horn then poured a small amount of a fuel additive into the mixture and you could see the ethanol fuel change again to a much better gasoline mixture. The company claims this additive can provide a more efficient way to disperse the water during engine operation . . . with less damaging effects. After seeing the demonstration, Sheldon Segebart, Service Manager with Panama City Cycles, says, ''It is amazing how it can coat the (test tube) glass and keep the water held in the solution without having it separate. And that is going to be the one thing that probably does the most good for motorcycles and ATVs . . . keeping it all mixed up so it doesn't settle out and sit in the bottom of the carburetor.''

There are other fuel additives on the market that can produce positive results. You can check out auto parts stores, hardware stores or online, to see what might be best for you. And, we could see the higher ethanol content fuel, E-15, soon at gas pumps.