Ethanol Free Fuel worth it for an NAS Truck?

[LRNAD90]

So I've never really had the option in my area for Ethanol free fuel, other than maybe a marina, but they just redid my local Royal Farms, and they have 90 octane Ethanol free at the pump. Pretty sure Maryland is currently standardized on 10% Ethanol blend in all fuel (for the environments sake they say ). I can't say that I have had any problems, but know in general Ethanol is bad for older vehicles that were note designed for it.

Premium fuel runs from 91 to 94 octane around here, depending upon the station/branding (not entirely sure its not all the same, just priced higher). So a 1 to 3 point Octane penalty/drop to go with the no Ethanol gas..

It is also slightly more expensive than regular premium. So the question is, for longevity sake, is it better to run this in an NAS Defender, or largely irrelevant to worry about (my gut says I'm overthinking this)?

(I do plan to fill my gas cans for lawn equipment/etc with the Ethanol free going forward for sure, though my 23 year old lawn mower has been fine on E10 as far as I can tell)..

 

[javelinadave]

Ethanol over time kills rubber hoses, fittings and plastic. If you can go ethanol free I say do it.

 

[pfshoen]

When modern pump gas sits, it goes bad. Also gums up the fuel system. The faster you burn it, the better. If something is run infrequently or is going to sit, much better off with ethanol free.
I met a guy who buys non-running motorcycles for cheap off CL, gets em going and resells and makes a few hundred. I asked him what's the most common prob he has to fix. Gummed up carbs, no contest. The residue I've scraped out of plastic fuel jugs is like aged varnish.
EFI seems to be able to deal better with pump gas than carbs.

 

[rocky]

Few times I’ve tried it in SC, no performance or mpg benefit so look for other benefits.

 

[SaintPanzer]

How often do you drive? Ethanol is hydroscopic, and will pull moisture from the air, If you drive a lot, you're burning it before it has a chance, but if your tank lasts a bit (not a daily driver) you may have a bit more water in your system than you'd like.

 

[1of40]

Since covid kicked in about 2 years ago I've not put as many miles or driven my 90 (4.0 GEMS) as often. I've switched to no-ethanal as often as I can. It's not readily available but when I can get it I do.

 

[jymmiejamz]

Seems like a waste to me.

 

[chuckc4]

I think about this too, but I am daily driving my NAS 90 except on rainy / wet pavement days. I was running premium non ethanol and am now running 87 octane with up to 10% ethanol.

Here is some more overthinking: I wonder how much ethanol fuel does one still get from a mixed fuel pump -- there has to be some residual fuel in the system from the last person who used the pump? Plus, how old is the non ethanol gas -- seems like very few people use it?? And, is ethanol just a big shot of dry gas???

 

[LRNAD90]

Okay, probably more confused than ever, thanks all.. In all seriousness, filled-up yesterday with 93 octane premium. Was cheaper, and three octane points higher, and since I run a slightly advanced timing, I worry about the octane rating. I don't daily drive my D90, but rarely do I go a month without a fill-up, so I dunno (still)..

Chuck C4, the Ethanol free fuel has its own line/handle on the pump, just like the Diesel does on the same pump, but I have no idea what happens under ground..

 

[erover82]

Are there any rubber components in a NAS 90 fuel system?

 

[jymmiejamz]

Are there any rubber components in a NAS 90 fuel system?

The fuel lines coming out of the pump and the ones going to the fuel rail. The factory fuel lines will rust out way before those hoses fail. Even if you have stainless lines, the fittings on the pump will rust out.

 

[erover82]

The fuel lines coming out of the pump and the ones going to the fuel rail. The factory fuel lines will rust out way before those hoses fail. Even if you have stainless lines, the fittings on the pump will rust out. View attachment 22181

I wonder if the ID of the steel tubes is rusting as well. Wouldn't help to have it coming from both sides. The hose to the left is done, maybe from low-quality rubber, ethanol, or both. I assume the fuel pressure regulator has a rubber membrane that could be affected too.

 

[jymmiejamz]

I wonder if the ID of the steel tubes is rusting as well. Wouldn't help to have it coming from both sides. The hose to the left is done, maybe from low-quality rubber, ethanol, or both. I assume the fuel pressure regulator has a rubber membrane that could be affected too.

Funny you mention the vent hose. That’s a Genuine Land Rover part that I had installed in 2017 and that picture is from less than 6 months ago. Maybe that is a result of the ethanol ( or 2 years of the garbage California gas).

 

[LRNAD90]

Damn, wish there was an access port in the floor, to get some anti-corrosive spray on them..

 

[MountainD]

Tons of folks put access ports in their floors. It is fairly common, believe it or not. Unfortunately with the NAS 90, you have a tub support rail that gets in the way. Not sure about ROW, but I’d imagine the same. I still know folks that did it there anyways (and I have an offset trap door, now inconveniently covered by a drawer) but 110s are easier. I personally don’t care anymore and just drop the tank. Cause I love getting shit in my eyes, gas/diesel on everything, breaking bolts and being generally uncomfortable and upset. It reminds me of the 8th year of marriage. I survived that too (now in our 24th year).

what is concerning (and not uncommon) is the amount of corrosion in particular on NAS gas lines. I think it is due to the plastic tank and and a galvanic reaction, perhaps with/accelerated by electrical disparity with the gas similar to the issues caused with electrical disparity in coolant systems... makes me want to connect those two lines to a sacrificial anode.

 

[uc4me]

..I personally don’t care anymore and just drop the tank. Cause I love getting shit in my eyes, gas/diesel on everything, breaking bolts and being generally uncomfortable and upset. It reminds me of the 8th year of marriage. I survived that too (now in our 24th year)...

Haha, this makes me laugh..the amount of times i had to drop my tank in a days time. I am still thinking about a trap door but that tub support rail needs consideration. Also, an anode is a great idea..a giant one for the whole truck.

Regarding ethanol free; I've run only hi-octane premium in my NAS for over 2 decades now and aside from electrical issues to my pump, the engine has run fine. I'll treat the gas when it goes into winter storage but that's it. But for my 2 stroke outboards..If I don't treat the gas immediately it'll crap up my motors in no time. Trucks/cars seem to be much more resilient to moisture buildup from ethanol than 2stroke outboards in my experience.

 

[chuckc4]

Okay, probably more confused than ever, thanks all.. In all seriousness, filled-up yesterday with 93 octane premium. Was cheaper, and three octane points higher, and since I run a slightly advanced timing, I worry about the octane rating. I don't daily drive my D90, but rarely do I go a month without a fill-up, so I dunno (still)..

Chuck C4, the Ethanol free fuel has its own line/handle on the pump, just like the Diesel does on the same pump, but I have no idea what happens under ground..

The gas pumps here have one hose and you push a button to select the grade. So, I imagine there is residual fuel in the line somewhere between the tanks in the ground and the meter. Maybe not though...

 

[rover4x4]

I generally purge a gallon into the trash or squeegee bucket when there isn't an individual hose.

 

[Napalm00]

I generally purge a gallon into the trash or squeegee bucket when there isn't an individual hose.

Lol what ? For real ?

 

[Siia109]

for 26 years - 87 octane. Its a Land Rover and if it cant run on 87 octane then they have a problem with the marketing of "go anywhere vehicle"...