Aztec Rental: The Backfill

 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ETHANOL FUEL (E10)

The sale of ethanol blended fuel, commonly referred to as E-10 gas, is on the rise in the US as more states are mandating its use. Also promoting the growth of E-10 is the need to phase out the current additive MTBE which has been found to contaminate ground water supplies. E-10 gas has been in use for many years and, with smart fuel management, most of its negative issues can be resolved.  Read more…

The 4 Main Problems Caused By Ethanol fuel

Problem 1: Debris In Fuel

Gums rapidly form in the fuel tank and fuel delivery systems as ethanol fuels age. However, ethanol is also a powerful solvent that will strip away and disperse this build up back into the fuel as large, performance-robbing particles. This leads to clogged filters, injectors and carburetors.

Problem 2: Excessive Water In The Fuel And Phase Separation

Ethanol attracts moisture from the atmosphere, forming an ethanol/water solution mixed in the gasoline. E-10 fuel will naturally hold .5% water in suspension, but when water levels exceed this threshold, or when the fuel cools significantly, the water/ethanol mix drops out of suspension. This is phase separation. Excessive water in the fuel tank causes engines to run rough, stall, and can lead to internal damage to engine components. Ethanol provides a significant amount of the fuel’s octane, so when the ethanol/water solution separates and drops to the bottom of the tank, the remaining fuel is left without enough octane to properly operate the engine. Additionally, the ethanol/water solution can become partially combustible, which can lead to engine damage.

Problem 3: ETHANOL Fuels Break Down Quickly

Over a short period of time ethanol fuel begins to break down. As ethanol and other components evaporate, the fuel loses octane and becomes “stale.” This causes hard starts, pinging and engine knock, which robs your engine of power and can cause damage.

Problem 4: ETHANOL Causes Lost Power, Performance And Decreased Fuel Economy

Ethanol fuel does not produce as much energy as traditional fuel. This results in inefficient combustion, decreased performance, reduced throttle response and poor fuel economy.

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There is some good news from this post, there are products that combat the issues Ethanol is causing in fuel.  There are many “fuel stabilizers” and “fuel treatment” products on the market, but one product that we use at Aztec Rental is Star Tron.

Star Tron is a fuel additive that cures and prevents ethanol issues in both gasoline and diesel engines. 

What Is Star Tron and How Does It Work?

Star Tron® is a revolutionary multifunctional fuel treatment based on naturally-occurring enzymes.  Star Tron® uses highly specialized enzymes to modify how gasoline and diesel fuel burns, resulting in more complete and uniform combustion with reduced engine emissions. This same enzyme package breaks down fuel sludge and allows water to be dispersed throughout the fuel as sub-micron sized droplets that can be eliminated as the engine operates while also cleaning the entire fuel delivery system. Contaminants are either safely burned off or filtered out, and fuel chemistry is stabilized for long-term storage. Star Tron® is not affected by and does not affect any fuel treatment that may already be in use. There is no possibility of any negative chemical interaction. Because Star Tron® is pure fuel, it cannot be over-dosed. It is formulated for use in all 2 and 4-cycle gasoline engines and in all diesel engines. [Read More]

 For more on Star Tron and how it attacks the 4 main problems with Ethanol Fuel [click here].

You can pick up a bottle of Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment here at Aztec Rental.  We use it in our equipment, recommend it to our customers who have equipment in for repair with fuel issues, and to customers calling us for advice. 

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