Ethanol in gas = water issues?????
boatbuster
12-04-2007, 07:06 AM
With winter hard upon us here in Canada, we enter another messy season where we should be allowed to hybernate for the winter months.
I went to start my 2002 AWD Astro this morning only to find that the engine turns over but it won't start. This van has always started in all situations. Always keep it in top running condition to avoid situations like this. This is the first time this happens. After some hunting I realized that all symptoms lead to frozen fuel lines. With todays fuels I thought frozen fuel lines were something for the history books. So I did a little hunting and it turns out that most gas companies add ethanol to their gas. Supposedly to help the environment, I think it's to line their pockets a little thicker. Well I found out that ethanol molecules attract water molecules creating a water problem if your vehicle sits for more than a couple of days in the cold. Therefore explaining my situation this morning. I guess I will be adding gas line antifreeze at every fill from now on.
I went to start my 2002 AWD Astro this morning only to find that the engine turns over but it won't start. This van has always started in all situations. Always keep it in top running condition to avoid situations like this. This is the first time this happens. After some hunting I realized that all symptoms lead to frozen fuel lines. With todays fuels I thought frozen fuel lines were something for the history books. So I did a little hunting and it turns out that most gas companies add ethanol to their gas. Supposedly to help the environment, I think it's to line their pockets a little thicker. Well I found out that ethanol molecules attract water molecules creating a water problem if your vehicle sits for more than a couple of days in the cold. Therefore explaining my situation this morning. I guess I will be adding gas line antifreeze at every fill from now on.
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