Which gas stations have ethanol-free gas? (costs, vs, airplanes)

[Deep Forest]

When I was growing up back home, the local community airport was filled with Piper Cubs...never did find out why. They all disappeared about late '59 early 60's. Some type of pilot training I'm sure.

[TexasNick]

Originally Posted by Deep Forest

When I was growing up back home, the local community airport was filled with Piper Cubs...never did find out why. They all disappeared about late '59 early 60's. Some type of pilot training I'm sure.

The boys (and gals) that won the war in the 1940s were all taught to fly in Piper Cubs. These Cubs had a little tail wheel that makes it much trickier to fly due to the center of gravity of the airplane being towards the back. Flying a Cub is like trying to balance a broom on the palm of your hand as you stick it out. You have to make constant corrections to keep it from tipping over. It requires great coordination! But once you get it, it's like riding a bicycle, it becomes second nature.

These planes practically disappeared in the 60s due to Cessna's success in the "Tricycle" gear aircraft. now it's easier for any idiot to fly, lol. Whenever I land my Cub at an airport, an old-timer or two will always come up to me and tell me about how they first learned to fly in a Piper Cub...and how they wish they never sold theirs. They'll talk about how they used to barnstorm America back in the day when the west was still wild and when man still had places he could go without seeing a single barbed wire. Unlike a car, these airplanes are great investment vehicles..they never depreciate because they don't make them anymore. Bought mine about two years ago for 15k and now it's worth 25,000 in today's market. Can your 401k do that?!

[bomber991]

The Shell that's at the intersection of Huebner Rd & Fredricksburg Rd should have ethanol free gas. It did when I was there yesterday. I know in Texas stations are required by law to have a sticker that says the pumps may contain ethanol if the ethanol concentration is over 1%.

Yesterday I went to a Valero, Exxon, and Chevron in the area and they all had those "May contain up to 10% Ethanol" stickers. People, you need to avoid that crap. It drops your fuel economy by about 15%, even though technically it only has ~5% less energy content in it than regular gasoline.

At $3 per gallon, the stuff tainted with up to 10% ethanol is really more like paying $3.45 per gallon.

http://www.fuel-testers.com/state_gu...anol_laws.html

[TexasNick]

Originally Posted by bomber991

The Shell that's at the intersection of Huebner Rd & Fredricksburg Rd should have ethanol free gas. It did when I was there yesterday.

How do you know that the Shell at Huebner/Fredericksburg had no ethanol? Just because it didn't have a sticker on it doesn't mean they don't have it.

[svg210]

Originally Posted by TexasNick

Does anyone on this forum know of any gas stations that have ethanol-free gas? I'm losing this war...I guess I'm about to give up. I just don't want to pay $5+/gallon for aviation fuel when I could get mogas for 2.30/gallon or so

Plane is crying:

why dont you up date your plane by putting new synthetic O-Rings, Gaskets, and fuel lines so they withstand the Alcohol? if not Kerosene would be the way to go.

Good Luck

[svg210]

Originally Posted by bomber991

The Shell that's at the intersection of Huebner Rd & Fredricksburg Rd should have ethanol free gas. It did when I was there yesterday. I know in Texas stations are required by law to have a sticker that says the pumps may contain ethanol if the ethanol concentration is over 1%.

Yesterday I went to a Valero, Exxon, and Chevron in the area and they all had those "May contain up to 10% Ethanol" stickers. People, you need to avoid that crap. It drops your fuel economy by about 15%, even though technically it only has ~5% less energy content in it than regular gasoline.

At $3 per gallon, the stuff tainted with up to 10% ethanol is really more like paying $3.45 per gallon.

Ethanol Labeling Laws - State by State Guide.

Ethanol has been in fuel since 2006, but since alot of old cars were breaking down, its now a regulation to let the consumer know about it.

[TexasNick]

Originally Posted by svg210

why dont you up date your plane by putting new synthetic O-Rings, Gaskets, and fuel lines so they withstand the Alcohol? if not Kerosene would be the way to go.

Good Luck

I could update my plane, but the FAA cites numerous reasons alcohol and airplanes do not mix.

Alcohol (Ethanol):

* Adversely affects the volatility of auto gasoline, which could cause vapor lock.
* Is corrosive and not compatible with rubber seals and other materials used in aircraft, which could lead to fuel system deterioration and malfunction.
* Is subject to phase separation, which happens when the fuel cools as an aircraft climbs to higher altitudes. When the alcohol separates from the gasoline, it may carry water that has been held in solution and that cannot be handled by the sediment bowl.
* Reduces the energy content of fuel. Methanol has approximately 55 percent of the energy content of gasoline, ethanol 73 percent. More alcohol equals reduced range.

So, if ethanol is so great, why don't airplanes use it?

[bomber991]

Originally Posted by TexasNick

How do you know that the Shell at Huebner/Fredericksburg had no ethanol? Just because it didn't have a sticker on it doesn't mean they don't have it.

True, I guess you could just call and ask them. Then you'd just have to hope the person on the phone is telling the truth.

I've lived here since January and have only actually gassed up here twice. I go visit family in Austin about once a month and just gas up at my old usual gas station there. The other time I gassed up here was also at a shell station.

Actually, I'd say the best bet would have to be just buying one of these fuel testers and seeing if the gas is pure or not. It looks like you put the gas into the little jar and then put a drop of their 'quick check' solution in there. If the gas turns blue then it's got ethanol in it, if it doesn't and stays yellow it's ok.
Fuel Testers -Ethanol Fuel Test Kits -Protect your engines from E10 alcohol blend gasolines.

[BIG PORK TOM]

Originally Posted by bomber991

True, I guess you could just call and ask them. Then you'd just have to hope the person on the phone is telling the truth.

I've lived here since January and have only actually gassed up here twice. I go visit family in Austin about once a month and just gas up at my old usual gas station there. The other time I gassed up here was also at a shell station.

Actually, I'd say the best bet would have to be just buying one of these fuel testers and seeing if the gas is pure or not. It looks like you put the gas into the little jar and then put a drop of their 'quick check' solution in there. If the gas turns blue then it's got ethanol in it, if it doesn't and stays yellow it's ok.
Fuel Testers -Ethanol Fuel Test Kits -Protect your engines from E10 alcohol blend gasolines.

That looks interesting..I think I'm going to pick one of those kits up.

[TexasNick]

It's a moot point. ALL stations have ethanol now. We lost.