I’ve worked on OPE for decades and the biggest problem I see has little to do with ethanol and a lot to do with sh!tty Chinese quality engines. Especially the plastic fuel lines which seem to dissolve before your eyes.
I’ve got tractors, mowers, tillers, and trimmers that have run fine for 20+ years on E10 (yes we had essentially 100% E10 here in Indiana 20 years ago).
I have seen American, British and Japanese fuel lines disintegrate under E10 (and in California, the methanol used before it). Until *very* recently, most fuel line was not rated for or particularly tolerant of ethanol.
Also, it’s not just “shitty Chinese engines” as both Bombardier and Mercury Marine have outright said for many of their models that any amount of alcohol can harm them.
Other references, including photo proof:
http://www.floridasportsman.com/2012/07/02/ethanol-and-old-outboard-boat-engines/
http://www.fidosysop.org/1204/06/e-15-ethanol-gas-blend-coming-and-could-harm-your-engine/
http://www.rifleandrod.com/2012/07/ethanol-fuel-can-ruin-boat-motors/
Associated picture: http://www.rifleandrod.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/DSC0021.jpg
http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/f67/my-ethanol-issues-118496/
Also, I have had to retire my former daily driver classic Honda motorcycle and buy something 20 years newer due to e10 gasoline constantly screwing up the carburetors by causing varnish and crap build up (among other problems) in them necessitating constant rebuilds. It has literally cost me thousands of dollars; this stuff is CRAP and the sooner it goes away the better.
I am seeing Gates and Dayco fuel lines lasting months before they begin to crack and check whether running gasoline or diesel.
I am also now seeing vapor lock in summer temperatures on carbed vehicles that I have owned and driven since the late ‘80’s pretty much unchanged.
We just got back from a trip to high altitudes in Colorado and we vapor locked frame mounted electric EFI pump repeatedly that is away from heat sources and below tank level.
And now the idiots at the EPA want to go from 10% ethanol to 15%.
