Ethanol Survey Results - Hagerty Lifestyle

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Ethanol Survey Results

Hagerty / 2009-08-13

1.	Have you had trouble with your collector car that you attribute to E10?

Yes		29%
No		71%

2.	Are you concerned of the effects that E15 (15% ethanol) or E20 (20% ethanol) will have on your collector car?

Yes		91%
No		9%

3. Are you concerned about any of the following (select all that apply)?

Loss of Performance		60%
Damage to Engine or Fuel System		92%
Cost to Modify or Repair Fuel System		77%
Inability to Drive my Collector Car		67%

4.	Do you think it’s a good idea to run ethanol in collector cars?

Yes		9%
No		91%

5.	Would you or have you rebuilt your fuel system to be more compatible with ethanol?

Yes		25%
No		75%

6. Would you be willing to get involved (select all that apply)?

Write/e-mail legislator		92%
Call legislator		36%
Donate money		11%
Volunteer Time		15%

Article Comments

I have experienced no loss of performance or component detioration, other than losing 5% to 10% in gas milage, attributable to using E10 in my car. However, phase separation with consequent accumulation of water in the fuel tank has turned into a major problem! I previously made a practice of keeping my gas tank full in order to avoid condensate in the fuel. Because of that practice, I never emptied the tank, and only rarely used it down to half full. Consequently, some of the E10 got to be more than a year old, thus inviting phase separation. Since I have learned about phase separation, I have made a practice of driving the car frequently to prevent water accumulation, and using the fuel down to nearly empty to prevent retaining old fuel. I have also located a gasoline dealer who still offers E0, which in time will eliminate the problem completely. In your test procedure, you should store some E10 for a year or so, then check for phase separation. Thanks for asking!

great survey-send it to the govt that is paying Mega agro companies to grow corn, at a loss,subsidized after that, re subsidized to be added to perfectly good gasoline, which will cause fuel line/engine problems down the road. My 1982 Vette is original, I love it and I drive it. Am I ready to completely redo the fuel system, which will certainly have to be done again in the future, just to add to the bonus checks of a very few? Corn oil is for deep frying twinkies and crabs-Gasoline is for vehicles.

I THINK EACH GAS COMPANY SHOULD KEEP AT LEAST ONE PUMP AT ALL THERE STATIONS WITH AT LEAST 89 PLUS OCTANE, 100% GAS. LIKE THEY DO FOR DIESEL. THEY ALREADY HAVE THE HOLDING TANKS IN THE GROUND...WM. TERWILLIGER

When my engine was rebuilt several years ago, stainless valves were used. I also use a zinc additive in my oil. So far, I have had no problems. I would be interested in knowing what modifications have worked.

Since much of the country was switched to E-10 recently by the federal government, please take this survey again in two years and watch the results change. And if the feds are successful in bumping the mandate to E-15 or higher, the collector car hobby, where the vast majority of our cars sit with vented fuel systems, for long periods of time, is going to have very serious complications disabling most of our cars if not altered for the fuel and maintained with stabilizer products.

I didn't mind ethanol until my Triumph started vapor locking on every warm day.

According to the print Hagerty magazine, there were 6000 respondents. Apparently I'm in the extreme minority - I'm not worried about E10, which is a good thing because here in Arizona we've been running E10 for ages!

Coal-fired locomotive owners lament that there are no more water tanks along rail lines either. We have to realize that our hobby has its roots in a time when oil flowed like water and that time, like that of big chrome bumpers and tail fins, has passed. Our love for the machines must take into account we are in a new century and using the last century's fuel becomes part of the burden of living history.

My comment on ETHANOl IS this; My 1931 model A Ford smokes like a freight train of blue smoke,it has never done that before. I don't like it.What can I do. First they took the lead out of the gas,that was bad for my old tracter and A model. It looks like they just want us to ruin our old motors.If anybody knows of any additive to help I would appreciate it very much. William Bishop

Good survey, keep 'em comin'

if ethanol is good for the country/evironment would you convert to use it. that a real question. i would.

The results above show a valid concern on the subject. What owners of collectible cars will and must come to terms with is that changes in our fuel and its availability are inevitable. At this time in my life the decision was made to modify my fuel system and make any minor engine changes to allow me to drive and enjoy my car, a car that I have now owned for 38 years, for many more years to come. I love the collector car hobby. It is now up to the individual to decide if they want a museum piece or a weekend driver. Just one question what was the number, the percentage, of people who responded to the survey.

I do agree with these findings. I am also concerned about the oil and the zinc being removed from the oil. Seems as if the world of the classic car owner is getting tougher all the time! Thanks for the survey