Thread: Gasahol Update
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Old May 30th 05, 08:15 PM
RST Engineering
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Default Gasahol Update

Taken directly from the EAA website www.eaa.org and then to the autogas STC
page:


In the opinion of EAA, and in the interest of most conservative operations,
the following observations are offered:

a.. If alcohol content is less than 1%, fuel will probably have no effect
on aircraft.

b.. If fuel contains up to 5% alcohol, caution must be exercised. Do not
permit it to remain in tanks or fuel system more than 24 hours, then drain
and refill with alcohol-free fuel, ensuring that no alcohol concentration
remains in fuel lines or sump. Vapor lock may be a problem. DO NOT FLY.

c.. If alcohol content is more than 5%, DO NOT FLY. Drain fuel system,
flush all parts, replace with clean alcohol-free fuel and run up engine long
enough to exchange fuel in carburetor bowl.

So now the question is posed ... if I take some California gasahol (5.3%)
and dilute it down with 100LL to a 5% concentration, it seems that if I use
it within 24 hours, I can continue to use our gasahol. My calculation says
that 50 gallons of gasahol diluted with 5 gallons of LL would meet the 5%
limitation. Hell, I wouldn't object to running 50-50 if it means I can cut
the lead content in half.

Yet in another place on the website, it says that the gasoline can have NO
alcohol. I'm so confused. {;-)

E'splain to me also why you folks in Wisconsin, Iowa, and the rest of the
midwest are getting your 100LL for $2.50 a gallon or so while I'm paying
$3.50 with the refinery just across the central valley.



Jim