* Engine Compatibility: Ethanol is highly corrosive and can damage certain engine components, especially older engines designed for gasoline. Modern engines built specifically for ethanol (E85 or Flex-Fuel) are designed to resist these corrosive effects.
* Fuel System Compatibility: Ethanol can dissolve certain plastics and rubber materials found in older fuel systems. Newer ethanol-compatible engines have materials resistant to ethanol's effects.
* Combustion Characteristics: Ethanol burns differently than gasoline. It has a higher octane rating but lower energy density. Engines need to be adjusted for proper fuel delivery and air-fuel mixture to effectively combust ethanol.
* Cold Weather Issues: Ethanol can have issues in cold weather as it can separate and form ice crystals in the fuel system.
Types of Engines that Can Run on Pure Ethanol:
* Flex-Fuel Engines: These engines are specifically designed to run on a blend of gasoline and ethanol, including pure ethanol (E85). They have special components and sensors to adjust for the different fuel properties.
* Dedicated Ethanol Engines: Some engines are built exclusively to run on pure ethanol. These engines may have different designs and materials compared to gasoline engines.
Note: Even in Flex-Fuel vehicles, running on pure ethanol can have some drawbacks:
* Lower Fuel Economy: Ethanol has lower energy density than gasoline, so you'll get fewer miles per gallon.
* Reduced Engine Performance: Ethanol can lead to a slight reduction in engine power compared to gasoline.
Before running your engine on pure ethanol, it's crucial to consult your owner's manual to see if your vehicle is compatible.
