Originally Posted by RDY4WAR
I used to be an E-free nutswinger years ago. I actually went on a several month study back then to prove the E-free was better. The results completely changed the way I view ethanol fuels.
The car was a 1992 Mustang with a 347ci SBF that made 485 rwhp at 7300 rpm with 93 pump gas. I did a direct swap of the two fuels, E10 and E-free 93 octane pump gas, on the dyno. I tuned the car with both fuels to the jagged edge and the engine withstood slightly more timing with E10. This was reflected in E10 actually making slightly more power (485 rwhp vs 481 rwhp). Exhaust gas temperatures were slightly lower with E10. The air/fuel ratio was right on 12.5:1 for both fuels.
I took the car on a rather long drive down the interstate from one gas station to another, filling up with E10 on it's tune the first trip and E-free the second time on it's tune. The E-free did net a 2.7% increase in mpg, but it was also 11% more expensive so that was a net loss.
I also took two small motorcycle carburetors and put E10 in one and E-free in the other. (in the bowls/floats) I let them sit for 4 months through the winter. I then disassembled both carbs and found no signs of gelling or corrosion.
Ever since then, I just fill up with E10 and don't think about it.
This lawnmower carburetor I tried to clean out soaking with seafoam and crc ivd cleaner for several months, but it seems to be unsalvageable. I have never seen one so bad. Our seasonal outdoor equipment sits closer to 5-6 months a year though. These are my girlfriend's dad's lawnmowers. The other one I was able to get running with a couple months of cleaner in it, it wasn't visibly gelled up like this one though. I will stick to e0 in the outdoor power equipment and run it in my Cutlass the last couple tanks before winter storage.
Same guy with these two lawnmowers has a motorcycle he rides frequently through the summer months. The carburetor messed up this summer on it also.
Financially it doesn't make sense to run e0 in my car when it's driven daily. Even if the carb plugs up every 5-6 years like it has been.