Trends in Power

The most common gasoline-ethanol blend is E-10. According to Brian O’Neil, chief business development officer at B3C Fuel Solutions, this is suitable for use in all engines produced in recent years. “All modern engines built in the past few years use components in the fuel systems from the gas tank to the carburetor that can tolerate E-10 gasoline,” O’Neil explains. “Older systems cannot tolerate E-10, and no fuel system in a small engine can tolerate E-15.”

The following symptoms may occur when using the E-15 fuel:

• Softening, cracking, swelling, drying of rubber and plastic components
• Corrosion of the metal fuel system components
• Water absorption which leads to fuel becoming more corrosive and in the worst case, phase separation that can completely ruin engines and fuel systems
• Shorter life of the fuel with higher amounts of oxygen
• Leaner running causing heat problems

Getting Better Engine Performance

Along with educating customers on the correct fuel options, dealers can also offer customers fuel additives that have shown to improve engine performance and reverse some of the negative effects listed above.

“You can’t protect against the effect of ethanol, but you can react to it,” says Bill Lindsey, vice president of manufacturing for Starbrite Inc., manufacturer of Star Tron Fuel Treatment. “Some additives remove carbon deposits, while others stabilize fuel chemistry so that it can be stored for extended periods of time. Some, such as ours, actually allow the fuel to burn more completely for improved engine performance and fuel economy, as well as removing deposits and stabilizing fuel chemistry.”

Lindsey advises dealers to learn what additives are available and what their actual capabilities are. He suggests offering them at the point of sale as an added boost to the bottom line while showing the customer your level of knowledge and that you care for their engine. “It reiterates to the customer that the dealer knows what products work,” says Lindsey. “They trust the dealer would only recommend products they would use on their own equipment.”