[Healeys] Cross Country & Ethanol

[Bob Spidell]

Randy, 

What difference did you notice--besides probably slightly lower mileage with the ethanol blend--assuming same octane ratings? Is your car harder to start with ethanol blend? Does it idle/run rougher? Is power output down (you'd probably have to put it on a dyno to get an objective rating)? 

I just put 4,000 miles on my BJ8, with all types of gas, and didn't notice any difference from tank to tank. We ran the usual ethanol-blend 90/91-octane, ethanol-free 91-octane, 92-octane and even 94-octane gas (obtained in Banff, BC of all places). No difference that I could ascertain, but power was down overall since we were mostly at 3K+ feet of altitude. Unless the car is built/tuned for higher octane gas you're wasting money--and, possibly, hurting the engine (but, hey, it's fun to throw it in there anyway). My Mustang will run anything from 87-octane on up--almost always an ethanol blend--and the only difference (on low test) that I can tell is that it's arguably slightly rougher and has just a hint of hesitation when I punch it (of course, the ECM makes necessary adjustments). I put 93-octane 'pure' gas in once just for yuks, and honestly couldn't tell a difference over premium (but, I didn't dyno it or take it to the track). 

Octane rating is octane rating, regardless of the blend. Energy content may vary--lower octane gas is allegedly higher due to more 'explosive' combustion--and with different blends (i.e. ethanol) the vapor pressure may vary which may affect starting and hot/cold weather starting and, possibly, vapor lock. I believe the energy content of ethanol is less--as manifested in reduced mileage--but its anti-detonation properties (i.e. octane rating) are better than pure gasoline. 

I'm not a fan of ethanol-blended gas--I think it's a scam for the corn lobby--but, honestly I can't find fault with the blended gas (at least at 10%). Yes, I know ethanol is corrosive and absorbs water, but I've had no problems with either of our Healeys whatsoever (both our tanks were lined with Bill Hirsch gas tank sealer, FWIW). I have noticed a bit of a stumble when first starting after a shutdown in hot weather, which I attribute to mild vapor lock and may well be due to the ethanol (but I can't prove it). 

We've tracked mileage for the 16 years we've been taking extended trips in my BJ8, and it hasn't varied: 23mpg @ 60mph (flat terrain), 19mpg @ high-speed or mountainous terrain, 17mpg in stop-and-go city traffic. 

Bob 




-------------------------------- 
Bob Spidell - San Jose, CA 

----- Original Message -----


After a week in AZ, a week at conclave, 10 days touring CO & NM, and now 
heading home to MA, it's amazing how well the Healey (BJ8) runs on Ethanol 
Free gas when we can find it. 

A noticeable (huge) difference especially when we have to fill up with 10%+ 
ethanol. Going to make a bigger effort to search it out when at home, It's 
worth it! 

Randy Hicks 
In Missouri now.