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sb001
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011
Posts: 10406
Location: NW Arkansas
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 Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 9:36 pm Post subject: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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A friend of mine regularly stops at a station a few towns over to fill up because he said it was ethanol free 87 octane. When I looked at the ethanol-free website, that station did not show up. I called to ask if the station did indeed carry ethanol free and the clerk responded that they carried alcohol-free but not ethanol-free, and that's why the station was not on the website.
I always thought they were the same thing, but maybe not--can anyone clarify? (A quick google MF search yields nothing about comparing the two terms.) And if they aren't the same, what if any advantage to alcohol-free gas?
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I'm the humblest guy on this board.
1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor |
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raygreenwood
Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2008
Posts: 21512
Location: Oklahoma City
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| Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 10:32 pm Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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| sb001 wrote: |
A friend of mine regularly stops at a station a few towns over to fill up because he said it was ethanol free 87 octane. When I looked at the ethanol-free website, that station did not show up. I called to ask if the station did indeed carry ethanol free and the clerk responded that they carried alcohol-free but not ethanol-free, and that's why the station was not on the website.
I always thought they were the same thing, but maybe not--can anyone clarify? (A quick google MF search yields nothing about comparing the two terms.) And if they aren't the same, what if any advantage to alcohol-free gas? |
Ethanol is alcohol.....or one type. As far as I know.....no one is mixing with methanol.....but its possible. It sounds more like the "clerk" has no idea.
Also.....the ethanol free list is not comprehensive or offiicial. At least around here...ownership and supply chains of gas stations change by the month as properties are bought and sold between oil companies and franchises. Keeping what they serve up....straight.....would be a chore for any list.
Ray |
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modok
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009
Posts: 26781
Location: Colorado Springs
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| Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 2:32 pm Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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I think the clerk had it backwards, or, possibly just completely made that up.
Ethanol is a specific type of alcohol, |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31361
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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OK, I'm a degreed chemist, worked 40.5 years in the industry.
| modok wrote: |
| Ethanol is a specific type of alcohol |
True. Chemicals with a hydroxy group are classified as alcohols. The main component of solid antiperspirants is 18-carbon stearyl alcohol (1-octadecanol), a white solid.
Ethanol is a primary alcohol containing two carbon atoms; it's also the cheapest alcohol to produce. Since ethanol is also the "active" substance in beer/wine/spirits, to sell it industrially it must be poisoned or denatured so folks won't drink it. Most gel hand sanitizers contain ethanol, some do contain isopropyl alcohol.
Methanol is a one-carbon alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol (2-propanol) and n-propyl alcohol (1-propanol) contain 3 carbons. Isopropyl alcohol is used for "rubbing alcohol" and sterilizations of skin. Because of cost these would not typically be mixed with gasoline; methanol can be used as a racing fuel though. Methanol also tends to separate from gasoline if water content is appreciable, another reason it shouldn't be used in such mixture.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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iowegian 
Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 9829
Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 5:17 am Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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| Cusser wrote: |
OK, I'm a degreed chemist, worked 40.5 years in the industry.
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Really?
I always figured you were a gynecologist. |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31361
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 7:46 am Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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| iowegian wrote: |
| Cusser wrote: |
OK, I'm a degreed chemist, worked 40.5 years in the industry.
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Really?
I always figured you were a gynecologist. |
Nah, not a groinocologist ! (homage to Archie Bunker)
But there were more hot gals in R&D than many would imagine, and Mrs. Cusser was my 6th girlfriend from that pond. She was a food scientist, M.S. degree.
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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heimlich
VWNOS.com
Joined: November 20, 2016
Posts: 6593
Location: Houston, Texas
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| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 10:32 pm Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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Chemistry folks are some of the most interesting. I had one Chemistry Professor tell about hanging eggs on strings over stairs.
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Not all parts are made the same. NOS OE/OEM parts made mainly in West Germany, Early Germany, and Early Brazil are where VW produced the best quality parts and best fitting products.
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22640
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 2:26 pm Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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I think there is more shinola made up about ethanol fuels on the internet than oil change intervals and moon landings combined.
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heimlich
VWNOS.com
Joined: November 20, 2016
Posts: 6593
Location: Houston, Texas
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 4:37 pm Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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Run some E85 through your engine. Let me know how it works out. Your car will run like crap.
_________________
www.vwnos.com [email protected]
Classic Brands. Classic Quality.
Not all parts are made the same. NOS OE/OEM parts made mainly in West Germany, Early Germany, and Early Brazil are where VW produced the best quality parts and best fitting products.
5% Off your order with coupon code: 5%OFF
Restored Distributors Available (<--Click here) |
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gt1953
Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2002
Posts: 13848
Location: White Mountains Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 7:25 pm Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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Bottom line would be run non ethanol free fuel if you have it available. Agreed with Mr. Cusser. He does know his chemistry for sure. Some things I would just not want know about in the food chemistry side of the house.
YUK
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.
72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold}) |
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Zundfolge1432
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004
Posts: 12467
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| Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 10:43 am Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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Been buying fuel here for many years it's high volume. |
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iowegian
Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 9829
Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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| Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:10 pm Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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| Zundfolge1432 wrote: |
Been buying fuel here for many years it's high volume. |
And, as a bonus, it's right next to the Waffle House.  |
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Joe 20
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2005
Posts: 655
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:50 pm Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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| Just curious, what's the price there? It's at least a dollar more a gallon here...but worth it. |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31361
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:52 pm Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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[quote="Cusser"]
| iowegian wrote: |
| Cusser wrote: |
OK, I'm a degreed chemist, worked 40.5 years in the industry.
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Really?
But there were more hot gals in R&D than many would imagine, and Mrs. Cusser was my 6th girlfriend from that pond. She was a food scientist, M.S. degree. |
So Mrs. Cusser and I are both scientists, explains why we keep experimenting ....
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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gt1953
Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2002
Posts: 13848
Location: White Mountains Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:00 am Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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My experience with the ethanol free fuel; how abut 8 more miles per gallon average on my Subaru Outback. Yes folks it has more giddy up. Does not rot fuel lines as fast either.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.
72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold}) |
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Zundfolge1432
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004
Posts: 12467
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| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 8:04 am Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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| Joe 20 wrote: |
| Just curious, what's the price there? It's at least a dollar more a gallon here...but worth it. |
Depends on what side of town but pure gasoline runs from 20 to 40 cents more per gallon. So the Sinclair gasoline was about 2.65 per last time I was there. Tack another 30 onto that and you can have premium 91. The shit gas across the street is 2.29 per. Costco under cuts them all at 2.17. I'll use that in the newer Toyotas. |
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sb001
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011
Posts: 10406
Location: NW Arkansas
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| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 10:58 am Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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| Joe 20 wrote: |
| Just curious, what's the price there? It's at least a dollar more a gallon here...but worth it. |
Are you saying the 87 octane ethanol free in your area is $1 more? That's outrageous. I can understand the 91. The station right up the street from my house has ethanol free but ONLY in the 91 octane, it's also about $1 more.
_________________
I'm the humblest guy on this board.
1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor |
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sb001
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011
Posts: 10406
Location: NW Arkansas
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| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 10:59 am Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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| Zundfolge1432 wrote: |
Been buying fuel here for many years it's high volume. |
Hmm You can buy your gas and change your oil at the same time 
_________________
I'm the humblest guy on this board.
1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor |
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mark tucker
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2009
Posts: 23937
Location: SHALIMAR ,FLORIDA
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| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 8:21 am Post subject: Re: Ethanol-free vs alcohol-free |
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for some stupid reasons I dont have any fuel issues execpt for the prices. I pull up pump and drive off.my bug only gets preamum fuel.I dont care if it's got ethel in it or tony...as long as the whirlpool man stays away from it.( and the allstate dude too  shit happens when hes around.) I think most of the issues are owner inflicted , and yes neglect is owner inflicted. |
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