[radz28]

Has anyone noticed or heard about algae growing in E85?

In my many fuel tank inspections (let's say, lol), I've found brown gunk (almost every time) in the screens of the fuel pumps. When the E' dries out, the gunk turns into dust, pretty much. This last time I pulled the tank, I got CHUNKS of this brown crap plopping out of the fuel module bucket.

What I would liken this material to is visualizing what a little chunk of cardboard might turn into just before it might break down and dissolve. This stuff will float if disturbed, but fall out of suspension after a bit of time. When you pinch it, it mushes into a goo and kinda just breaks apart.

When I started searching, I ran across something saying algae can grow in ethanol, strangely... Has anyone else heard about this? I know that E' can go bad kinda' quick, and with how much I can drive, sometimes a tank can go for several months before refilling. Knowing that, I've always added some sort of ethanol treatment product.

I've used Seamfoam (the standard one - just a few ounces/tank), Stabil 360 (the ethanol version), and have even tried a new top end lubricant, recommended by Katech, for ethanol cars to help prolong fuel pumps and such. Apparently - all of these to no avail. Or - are my expectations unreasonable? All of these are, apparently, fuel conditioners, but it is unreasonable that they don't seem to prevent this (apparent) algae from forming?

Has anyone else seen anything like this, or something along these lines? Am I seeing it because I've been a fuel tank (R&I) specialist? lol

[SWFLZL1]

Curious also, I probably go a month or so between fill ups, and run E60.

[clg82]

Originally Posted by radz28

Am I seeing it because I've been a fuel tank (R&I) specialist? lol

My guess is you're seeing it because you never use the car...

[radz28]

Originally Posted by clg82

My guess is you're seeing it because you never use the car...

LOL! I knew you'd say that I still haven't passed 4300 miles... That will change soon enough.

[DamonZ28]

Originally Posted by radz28

I still haven't passed 4300 miles

You have over 3x more posts than miles!!

[KingLT1]

Yeah if you car is going to sit for extended periods of time, put ethanol treatment in it like Lucas. The higher the E content the more this becomes important.

[red6.2]

if you aint driving the car, put 91 in it. It will save you the headaches in the long run! chevron with techron or other gas stations with fuel treatments will keep your fuel system clean

[radz28]

Originally Posted by DamonZ28

You have over 3x more posts than miles!!

Maybe less posting and more driving

Originally Posted by KingLT1

Yeah if you car is going to sit for extended periods of time, put ethanol treatment in it like Lucas. The higher the E content the more this becomes important.

Have you had good luck with Lucas?

I forgot to add that I've also used Star Tron, but none, explicitly, call out any biocides. I found a marine product that, apparently, has some. Hmm...

Originally Posted by red6.2

if you aint driving the car, put 91 in it. It will save you the headaches in the long run! chevron with techron or other gas stations with fuel treatments will keep your fuel system clean

You're right, and I know, but my driving habits are hit and miss. BUT - maybe I have to run gasoline more.

Another thing I've been thinking about is fuel tank contamination at the station. I have, really, only gotten my E' from the same station since this little endeavor. Maybe that's part of the problem...

[clg82]

Originally Posted by DamonZ28

You have over 3x more posts than miles!!

Where you getting your fuel from Radz? I plan on using Kroger gas station for E85 by my house.

[KingLT1]

Originally Posted by radz28

Have you had good luck with Lucas?

I have had great luck with it. I put it in all my small engine equipment and never had a problem with hard start/no start conditions again. One year I didn't put it in my snow blower it gave me fits the next season. So, I put a heavy dose of Lucas in it, and it runs fine again.

I am sure there are other additives that work, but I just stick with Lucas since I have never had any issues with anything I put it in over the last 10-15years.

[radz28]

Originally Posted by clg82

Where you getting your fuel from Radz? I plan on using Kroger gas station for E85 by my house.

I've been getting my fuel from the same Shell gas station from the beginning. BUT - it's not a Shell product - it's a Propel brand that is in many stations across the region. I'm sure the fuel sits in the tanks a long time at the stations.

Originally Posted by KingLT1

I have had great luck with it. I put it in all my small engine equipment and never had a problem with hard start/no start conditions again. One year I didn't put it in my snow blower it gave me fits the next season. So, I put a heavy dose of Lucas in it, and it runs fine again.

I am sure there are other additives that work, but I just stick with Lucas since I have never had any issues with anything I put it in over the last 10-15years.

I already ended up adding that Lucas E' treatment (and some Chevron fuel system treatment) to this tank, and will, at least, keep running the Lucas from here forward. I have a small bottle of fuel system biocide that should be here soon, too, that is, apparently, pretty good for marine applications. I figured you'd have good reason for using it, so I didn't bother waiting, lol.

I don't mind having to add these treatments. I like running E' and if this is helpful to keeping everything healthy - no biggie. Nothing's free.

Thanks for the comments, everyone.