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Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/185928
FEATURE STORY Water and ethanol (bottom) separated from gasoline (top). (Photo provided by Stihl Inc.) For more information on E15, visit www. opei.org/ethanolwarning. • Ethanol is a stronger solvent than gasoline, and it can soften, swell, and damage some rubber and plastic components that gasoline alone would not harm, especially in older engines that may have fuel system components made of materials that are not compatible with ethanol. • The solvent properties of ethanol can dissolve varnish and gum deposits that have previously formed inside fuel storage cans, fuel tanks or the equipment's fuel system. When these deposits become dislodged, they can mix with the fuel and plug small openings and filters within the fuel system, resulting in costly repairs. • Ethanol easily attracts and mixes with water, and any moisture in the air can be absorbed by the ethanol-gasoline blend. This moisture can corrode metal components in the fuel system. • If enough water is absorbed, the ethanol and water will settle out of the gasoline blend. The resulting ethanol and water mixture is heavier than the gasoline and settles to the bottom of the equipment's tank or the bottom of the storage can, leaving a layer of gasoline floating on top. This can be a problem for customers who store their equipment and fuel cans outside in the open or in a damp shed and don't keep their storage cans tightly closed. With the ethanol separated from the gasoline, the layer of gasoline now has a lower octane level than the original ethanolgasoline blend. If the fuel was originally 87 or 89 octane fuel when it was fresh, the now-separated gasoline layer in the storage container or equipment's tank has a lower octane than what the engine manufacturer intended to be used, resulting in unstable engine operation, power loss and major engine failures. • Separation of ethanol and gasoline OPEI: Ethanol survey shows consumers not ready for changing fuel A new online survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) — the international trade association representing 100 small-engine, utility vehicle and outdoor power equipment manufacturers and suppliers — finds that U.S. consumers are ill-prepared for the introduction of higher ethanol fuel blends. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the introduction of some mid-level ethanol blends (E15, E30, E85) for use in a small subset of automobiles in an effort to comply with the federal renewable fuel mandate; the problem is that these higher ethanol fuel blends may be dispensed alongside current fuels, but they are illegal and risky to use in hundreds of millions of small-engine products and applications. This includes small-engine products, such as mowers, garden tractors, chain saws, boats, snow throwers, trimmers, utility vehicles, power washers, blowers, chippers, grinders, generators, jaws of life, concrete saws and other compact construction equipment, as well as small-engine applications such as water pumps and irrigation systems. The study, which was conducted July 31-Aug. 2, 2013, surveyed 2,040 U.S. adults, ages 18 and older, about their fuel-buying behavior and fuel awareness at gas stations. Key findings of the survey include: • The vast majority of Americans (71 percent) are "not at all sure" if it is illegal or legal to put high-level ethanol gas (i.e., anything higher than 10percent ethanol) into engines such as those in boats, mowers, chain saws, snow mobiles, generators and other engine products. • Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of Americans say they assume that any gas sold at the gas station is safe for all of their cars, as well as boats, mowers, chain saws, snow mobiles, generators and other engine products. 20 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT • For Americans who drive up to the fuel pump, price is overwhelmingly the number one thing they notice (91 percent). Whether the pump accepts credit cards (64 percent) and the octane rating (55 percent) come in second and third place. Only a quarter (25 percent) of these Americans notices the ethanol content. • Seven-in-10 (71 percent) Americans say they use the least-expensive grade of gasoline whenever possible. "Obviously, the ethanol survey responses are troubling to the outdoor power equipment industry since our products are designed and warranted to run only on 10-percent-or-less ethanol-blended fuel," said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. The data shows us that consumers are unprepared " for the rollout of higher ethanol-blended fuels at today's gas stations, and the potential for misfueling is high." According to Kiser, "Many consumers are determined to buy the leastexpensive gasoline, while they still assume that the same fuel can go in their car, as well as their mower, chain saw or generator. This points to a huge awareness gap and dire need for education." To protect current owners and future purchasers of small engines, utility vehicles and outdoor power equipment, OPEI will be launching an ethanol education and consumer protection campaign at the 2013 Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO), the annual green industry and equipment exposition, to educate consumers about the variety of fuels available at the pump, and how to identify the right fuel for their outdoor power equipment. To register for GIE+EXPO, go to www.gie-expo.com. For the full report, visit http://opei.org/executive-summary-report-ethanolstudy-by-harris-interactive-from-july-31-august-2-2013/. www.outdoorpowerequipment.com