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?
