Wow, that was quick

[flyguy]

Got curious and checked my engine log.

We've been operating the BC-85 on Calif automotive 87 fuel for SIX (6) years come this July. I had been a bit on the busy side I guess and had no idea it was that long.

Engine runs fine with a slight reduction in power that with the 85 I don't even notice, compared to 100LL.

As I have said before it cured a cylinder that was down to 60 compression (lead under valve I suspect) and only required that I go through the system and get rid of any problems the first week or so of use.

Engine seems to like Chevron best, but I've run it on all kinds and function has been excellent.

Interesting long term experiment.

Darryl

[crispy critter]

Re: Wow, that was quick

Are you running the ethonal mix or do you have a place to get it without ethonal?

[M Towsley]

Re: Wow, that was quick

Currently we have only one station, a Hy-Vee store, that carries ethanol-free Mogas. Too many tax breaks and subsidies for station owners to carry it. Plus, it is difficult to find anything ethanol- free in the Midwest. We love growing corn around here.

[flyguy]

Re: Wow, that was quick

No ethanol-free mo gas in California Kevin. Was about 7 percent when I started and is probably near 10 percent now.

Interestingly enough it would be very easy for the gas suppliers to tank up and deliver ethanol free gas here. The ethanol is added after the "pure" mo-gas is in the tanker.

Also there was a suite (sp?) against about 30 state-wide airport gas services by a green group here and the final result was that the gas services at the airports agreed to supply non-leaded gas, IF they could get it.

The problem is that the law for ethanol is Federal, not state, so it will be a real problem to get the distillers to deliver any gas anywhere without ethanol in it. That is, to change or circumvent the federal law.

[astjp2]

Re: Wow, that was quick

We have ethanol free gas here, must be a state regulation, not a federal one. If you want the ethanol out, just add water. The ethanol will bond with the water, drain it off and now you have ethanol free gas....

[flyguy]

Re: Wow, that was quick

http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/gasoline/faq.htm

That's one reference, there are others online.
DC

[3Dreaming]

Re: Wow, that was quick

We can get ethanol free gas here as well. In fact we buy 91 octane ethanol free auto fuel 500 gallons at a time for use in some of the aircraft around here.

[M Towsley]

Re: Wow, that was quick

My wife works with the motor fuel industry. Tax incentives are the driving force for ethanol, as well as the corn lobbyists pushing for the use of ethanol in motor fuel. It is no longer necessary to use ethanol to make us independent from the foreign oil producing companies. It is all about greed, now.

[Joe cooper]

Re: Wow, that was quick

My wife works with the motor fuel industry. Tax incentives are the driving force for ethanol, as well as the corn lobbyists pushing for the use of ethanol in motor fuel. It is no longer necessary to use ethanol to make us independent from the foreign oil producing companies. It is all about greed, now.

It never was necessary. It is crazy and inefficient to make auto fuel from corn. it was strictly a kiss to farmers and a real disservice to the American taxpayer. It should be stopped but the farm lobby is very powerful.

[Bird]

Re: Wow, that was quick

http://pure-gas.org/ no fake gas here yes even in CA the is good gas find it here

[M Towsley]

Re: Wow, that was quick

I have been using that site for years. Great site, but only as good as the input from the users. Thanks for posting, I don't look at that site as much as there just isn't anything around here anymore.

[flyguy]

Re: Wow, that was quick

I guess my only complaint would be having to use a couple of 5 gallon cans to "fill"the front tank. I'm an old guy and not very big and holding a 5 gal can up while letting it drain into the tank is pretty uncomfortable. Haven't been able to bring myself to consider a tank and pump for my pickup like many of the farmers in this area use.

I only put 100LL in the wing tanks as they have not been "booze" proofed. I do use them when I am going on a longer trip.

Mo gas (87) is about $3 a gallon here so I can do a lot of flying for 15 bucks. I shouldn't understate the importance to me of avoiding the buildup of lead in the engine cylinders though.

DC

[Stumpy]

Re: Wow, that was quick

Farm co-op six miles from the field here has 87 and 91 ethanol-free at the pump. A couple of fellas at the field are octogenarians (I'm not that far behind 'em) and dragging a can up to fill tanks when they want to commit aviation just isn't in the cards. I picked up a couple of 12 volt fuel pumps and rigged up some line, NAPA filters, and a hokey clamp for the handles on our plastic Gerry cans for them...no problemo. A little garden tractor 12v battery, hook up the alligator clips, and they're fueling (slowly, but steady) while doing pre-flight. Necessity is the mother of invention :-)

[flyguy]

Re: Wow, that was quick

I've some really good-condition jerry cans that I could use that way. Have to check around for a pump. Might give it a try. Thanks for the input.

By the way I have been curious about your photo above. Is that an operator's manual or a magazine (you?) are reading there? What is the aircraft? Nice maneuver angle.

DC

[M Towsley]

Re: Wow, that was quick

This is what I use. They have different sizes but the 30 gallon is convenient and easy to fill. Either take it to the gas pump or fill with gas cans. They have specials now and then, too.

http://www.hmcindustries.com/gc-30-series.html