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In Pennsylvania, the state mandates the use of gas with a 10% ethanol content between June and September. Texas, where me and my CSVT used to live, ethanol-treated gas isn't used (Texas has oil fields, not corn fields). So, I'm not familiar with its effects on the performance of the Duratec. None of the archive entries I found address my problem, which is:
Lately, on harder accel, the engine has begun to slightly buck, stumble, or however you'd describe it. Because this seems to have started around June, I'm wondering if it's an obvious case of ethanol gas cause-and-effect. My CSVT is a 1998 EO w/54K on the clock. Because I run Amsoil PI (a fuel system cleaner and upper-engine light lube) in the gas tank every 2-3 fillups, I have no reason to suspect the injectors. And, at 54K, I'm not yet pointing the finger at the plugs ... although I haven't pulled them to visually inspect (something I will do, if no one crucifies ethanol-treated gas as a result of this post).
Thoughts and/or countermeasures, anyone?
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ethanol, gives a slightly higher hp rating, but it wont really be noticed with a 10% concentration. it does lower mpg. but its cleaner for the environment because it doesnt deposit as many pollutants as regular fossil fuels. however if it was 85% ethonol you would see a 10 % hp increase, but a 10% mpg loss. ethanol is a renewable resource so, i wouldnt be surprized if we saw cars running off of this in the near future.
i could go into more but, that is the jist of it.
o i forgot as to what kinda effects it has on drivability, or how the engine runs i dont know. but to mee it sounds like you many need a new fuel filter, plugs, wires, coil. try the fuel filter first since its only like 5-10 bucks.
Experience is the worst teacher; it gives the test before presenting the lesson.
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It also mentions in my SVT's manual (which I conveniently have right in front of me) that "Ford approves the use of gasolines to improve air quality, including reformulated gasolines that contain oxygenates such as a maximum of 10% ethanol..." Here in SEWI they also mandate 10% ethanol to improve air quality and increase the amount of corn purchased from local farmers in order to make the ethanol. I haven't had problems with 10% ethanol in either of my Duratecs. I did have hesitation and bucking from cheap plugs in my sport about a year ago. Replacing the plugs fixed it for me, but since hesitation can be caused by so many things that might not work for you.
Do you notice whether this happens more as the tank empties? If so, that's a sign of fuel pump failure.
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'98 E0 SVT Silver Frost
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Originally posted by NITROS:
ethanol, gives a slightly higher hp rating, but it wont really be noticed with a 10% concentration. it does lower mpg. but its cleaner for the environment because it doesnt deposit as many pollutants as regular fossil fuels. however if it was 85% ethonol you would see a 10 % hp increase, but a 10% mpg loss. ethanol is a renewable resource so, i wouldnt be surprized if we saw cars running off of this in the near future.
i could go into more but, that is the jist of it.
o i forgot as to what kinda effects it has on drivability, or how the engine runs i dont know. but to mee it sounds like you many need a new fuel filter, plugs, wires, coil. try the fuel filter first since its only like 5-10 bucks.
Yeah, a new fuel filter probably is needed. I'll replace it.
But, as for emissions issues, let's keep it simple: Properly-maintained, computer-controlled vehicles with electronic ignition systems, DO NOT pollute. Tailpipe readings of modern, well-maintained cars show these cars are environmentally harmless.
Never underestimate the political influence of the corporate "farmers" in the corn-producing states.
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Originally posted by hetfield:
It also mentions in my SVT's manual (which I conveniently have right in front of me) that "Ford approves the use of gasolines to improve air quality, including reformulated gasolines that contain oxygenates such as a maximum of 10% ethanol..." Here in SEWI they also mandate 10% ethanol to improve air quality and increase the amount of corn purchased from local farmers in order to make the ethanol. I haven't had problems with 10% ethanol in either of my Duratecs. I did have hesitation and bucking from cheap plugs in my sport about a year ago. Replacing the plugs fixed it for me, but since hesitation can be caused by so many things that might not work for you.
Do you notice whether this happens more as the tank empties? If so, that's a sign of fuel pump failure.
Yes, in this area, Ford -- like all automakers -- has assumed the position and is fully pliant to EPA regs.
The last time the hesitation/bucking happened was today. The gas tank was 3/4 full.
Looks like I'll be pulling and inspecting a plug or two.
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Not a Contique, but in California, I drive down to Monterey a few times recently with an old Ford Aerostar, and the 76's down there have Ethanol-mixed gasoline (10%) instead of the more prevalent MTBE. I don't notice any difference in the engine at all, but then I drive 75-80 mph. 
Just a plain jane '96 LX V-6 here...
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I won't get into a war over this, but pretty much any internal combustion engine pollutes, it just a matter of how much. Modern cars pollute very little by comparison....
A nice side effect of the Ethanol: less carbon buildup, so you won't have to rip off your UIM/LIM to clean as often.
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No, no ... Although I sometimes get a bit revved-up on a particular issue, I'm not a e-warmonger.
True, to say in the absolute that a properly-maintained modern engine "does not pollute" was, uh, a fantasy.
But to say, absolutely, that a properly-maintained engine in a modern vehicle is "environmentally harmless" is not an overstatement.
Even when it was 12-years old, CO and HC tailpipe readings from my gone-but-not-forgotten Merkur XR4Ti were so miniscule, the effluent outflows from any given elementary school would have created a greater EPA-compliance problem for the local water-treatment plant than 200 cars like mine.
The original point being that, modern vehicles being as self-monitoring as they are, by and large, to keep our vehicles from becoming environmentally unfriendly and subject to the political schemes of the corporate corn-belt "farmers", mile-by-mile, all a critical-mass of owners has to do stay current on maintenence basics ...
And, maybe, organize our own PAC.
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Originally posted by Drumbo:
No, no ... Although I sometimes get a bit revved-up on a particular issue, I'm not a e-warmonger.
True, to say in the absolute that a properly-maintained modern engine "does not pollute" was, uh, a fantasy.
But to say, absolutely, that a properly-maintained engine in a modern vehicle is "environmentally harmless" is not an overstatement.
Even when it was 12-years old, CO and HC tailpipe readings from my gone-but-not-forgotten Merkur XR4Ti were so miniscule, the effluent outflows from any given elementary school would have created a greater EPA-compliance problem for the local water-treatment plant than 200 cars like mine.
The original point being that, modern vehicles being as self-monitoring as they are, by and large, to keep our vehicles from becoming environmentally unfriendly and subject to the political schemes of the corporate corn-belt "farmers", mile-by-mile, all a critical-mass of owners has to do stay current on maintenence basics ...
And, maybe, organize our own PAC.
All this is true, but if you even take the smallest of polluting cars, and put over 8 million on the road(an example...theres more than that) they will still cause a big enough factor to caus estricter EPA standing...especailly now since that a large chunk of O-zone layer is gone ovr our North and South Polls.....all there trying to do is prevent the spread of the deletion of z-zone with ethanol gas. Im not trying to start a war over this...but in the short term, its not a big deal like you state, in the long term though it can be. Living in CA, where in my town theres atleast 2 or 3 days out of the week....im glad theres some EPA regulation.
Do i think they can make cleaner cars with out sacraficing power, yes, but they problably will continue taking the easiest way.
In LA it is always Smogy...its sick....and CA has the strictest air laws.....i guess it all depends where you go to....But for me I ahve had no problems with ethanol....actully my car seems to like it better than MTBE, i honestly see better gas millage, and it feels like it gives a littel power....but i agree with eveyone here, check you fuel filter first then your pump. Those are the culprits most of the time.
Roz
3.0 SVT hybrid...all the fixens...Track/Race ready very soon!!!!!! 20,000 + miles
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Originally posted by Roz 1999 SVT-C:
Originally posted by Drumbo:
No, no ... Although I sometimes get a bit revved-up on a particular issue, I'm not a e-warmonger.
True, to say in the absolute that a properly-maintained modern engine "does not pollute" was, uh, a fantasy.
But to say, absolutely, that a properly-maintained engine in a modern vehicle is "environmentally harmless" is not an overstatement.
Even when it was 12-years old, CO and HC tailpipe readings from my gone-but-not-forgotten Merkur XR4Ti were so miniscule, the effluent outflows from any given elementary school would have created a greater EPA-compliance problem for the local water-treatment plant than 200 cars like mine.
The original point being that, modern vehicles being as self-monitoring as they are, by and large, to keep our vehicles from becoming environmentally unfriendly and subject to the political schemes of the corporate corn-belt "farmers", mile-by-mile, all a critical-mass of owners has to do stay current on maintenence basics ...
And, maybe, organize our own PAC.
All this is true, but if you even take the smallest of polluting cars, and put over 8 million on the road(an example...theres more than that) they will still cause a big enough factor to caus estricter EPA standing...especailly now since that a large chunk of O-zone layer is gone ovr our North and South Polls.....all there trying to do is prevent the spread of the deletion of z-zone with ethanol gas. Im not trying to start a war over this...but in the short term, its not a big deal like you state, in the long term though it can be. Living in CA, where in my town theres atleast 2 or 3 days out of the week....im glad theres some EPA regulation.
Do i think they can make cleaner cars with out sacraficing power, yes, but they problably will continue taking the easiest way.
In LA it is always Smogy...its sick....and CA has the strictest air laws.....i guess it all depends where you go to....But for me I ahve had no problems with ethanol....actully my car seems to like it better than MTBE, i honestly see better gas millage, and it feels like it gives a littel power....but i agree with eveyone here, check you fuel filter first then your pump. Those are the culprits most of the time.
Roz
Will do.
My suspicions about ethanol gas were based entirely on coincidence. Not too much scientific methodology, there. Thanks to all for unanimously confirming it probably ain't the gas.
Coming up on 55K, there's no reason to not replace the fuel filter now. Any opinions on OEM vs aftermarket filters?
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