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bnam
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 3544
Location: El Dorado Hills CA/ Bangalore, India
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 Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 9:09 am Post subject: E20 usage experiences |
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The government here in India is mandating e20, up from e10/15. Any long term users of E20 on their vintage cars care to share their experience with it?
Thanks,
Byas
_________________
1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL |
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chrisflstf
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2004
Posts: 4228
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 10:17 am Post subject: Re: E20 usage experiences |
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| Ethanol is corrosive and eats rubber |
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FarmerBill 
Samba Member
Joined: July 25, 2017
Posts: 893
Location: New England
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| Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: E20 usage experiences |
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Higher ethanol content lowers the boiling point of fuel. It's not a big problem on fuel injected engines but on carbureted engines it can cause vapor lock.
Ethanol also absorbs water from the atmosphere, the longer it sits the more likely you are to get phase separation. If you're not burning through a tank on a regular basis you can deal with this with a good stabilizer additive. |
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raygreenwood
Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2008
Posts: 23479
Location: Oklahoma City
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| Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2025 6:05 am Post subject: Re: E20 usage experiences |
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This is very timely for your question.
While this video is mainly about E85 usage, the first few minutes speak about issues with E15.
Lake Speed Jr is very sharp.
https://youtu.be/fZYzFyahCu8?si=PcT5q0Sus0osx83E
Ray |
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modok
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009
Posts: 27754
Location: Colorado Springs
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| Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: E20 usage experiences |
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My experience with ethanol in fuel is very good for daily use, as long as the engine oil gets to full temp regularly.
More power, engine runs cooler, up to about 60% ethanol is good.
POOR for weekend or seasonal use or winter use
carburetors corroded
oil contaminated
Far as e10, e15, e20, IMO nothing significantly different, just the pros and cons get more pronounced with higher percentages. |
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