The Ethanol Papers - Paperturn manuscript - Flipbook - Page 382
she did she would have either sent it to me or, if she didn't want to communicate
with me, publish it where it could be seen by the industry and public.
Ms. Fix describes ethanol phase separation problems that can occur just from
driving around town doing errands. This doesn't happen.
She says water collects at the bottom because the ethanol absorbs water from
the air and then it sits at the bottom of the fuel tank in a warm car. This does
not happen. If water forms in a fuel tank it's because of condensation - not because ethanol has any magical water-magnet qualities - ethanol helps to get rid
of the water. Prior to having E10 gasoline, if water formed in your fuel tank from
condensation you would have poured ethanol into the tank to get rid of it. Yes,
that's right, condensation occurred before the advent of E10, E15, or E85. Condensation occurs naturally, and it's been occurring for billions of years.
Studies conducted by Mercury Marine, one of the world's largest manufacturers
of smaller marine engines, had this to say about so-called ethanol phase separation and absorption of water from the air:
"There is no active transfer mechanism for ethanol molecules to reach
out and 'grab' water molecules out of the air."
"E10 may actually be a superior marine fuel as it tends to keep low levels
of water moving through the fuel system, keeping the system 'dry'."
And funnily enough, Mercury Marine recommends that if you're going to leave
your engine idle for extended periods, other than removing all the fuel, you
should fill the tank with E10 to reduce the amount of exchange with the air that
may bring in condensation.
Incidentally, I'm using the Mercury Marine information because it's often
claimed that ethanol-gasoline blends in boats can cause greater problems than
it supposedly causes in road vehicles.
Lauren Fix says it will cost thousands of dollars to fix the problems caused by
ethanol. I nod my head in semi-agreement, but not for the reason she might
wish.
Do you know why it might cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to fix problems
attributed to ethanol? Because there are car mechanics as stupid and
