1. Corrosion: Ethanol can be corrosive to certain metals and materials used in gasoline engines, such as aluminum, zinc, and rubber components. Over time, this can lead to leaks, damage to fuel lines, and other corrosion-related issues.
2. Water absorption: Ethanol has a strong affinity for water, and it can absorb moisture from the air. This can lead to the formation of water droplets in the fuel system, which can disrupt the fuel flow, cause engine knocking, and lead to poor performance.
3. Reduced lubricity: Ethanol has lower lubricity than gasoline, which means it provides less lubrication for engine components. This can increase wear and tear on the engine's fuel pump, fuel injectors, and other moving parts.
4. Fuel system issues: Ethanol can also cause problems with fuel system components such as fuel filters and carburetors. It can clog filters more quickly and affect the proper functioning of carburetors, leading to difficulties in starting the engine and inconsistent fuel delivery.
5. Vapor lock: Ethanol has a lower boiling point than gasoline, which can lead to vapor lock, especially in hot weather. This occurs when the fuel in the fuel lines turns into vapor and creates air bubbles that block the fuel flow, causing the engine to stall or lose power.
6. Reduced fuel efficiency: Ethanol contains less energy per gallon than gasoline, so using ethanol-blended fuels can result in reduced fuel efficiency. This means you may need to fill up more frequently when using ethanol-containing gasoline.
It's important to note that these issues typically arise with high ethanol concentrations, such as E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) or when ethanol-containing fuels are used in older vehicles that are not designed for such fuels. Modern vehicles equipped with fuel systems designed to handle ethanol-blended fuels are generally less susceptible to these problems.
