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Brazilian ethanol experiences - they are still flying!
We managed to get through to ABUL, the Brazilian UL union in order to learn about how UL pilots there experience flying with ethanol based fuel. For years Brazil has operated with high percentage mixtures. ABUL kindly forwarded the request to a member, who wrote:
Dear Claus
I hope this finds you well.
We have experienced here in Brazil, percentages as high as 23% in our fuel. What we normally see is that, if the fuel is of a good quality and has the same value of octanes or higher than is state in the rotax engine manual, it will be no problem.
Of course you will have to check some components more often like the robber sockets that hold the carburetors.
The key when using fuel mixed with ethanol is never leave the plane without running the engine for more than 15 days and would be good that, when it runs, the temperature of the oil go close to 100C.
If you are going to leave the engine in the hangar for a longer period, shut off the fuel valve and burn all the fuel before turn the engine off.
It is a good idea also to check all the fuel line as some hoses just will not stand the ethanol. We had a green silicon hose in Brazil that would completely destroy itself in contact with our alcohol.
The other main concern is to use only the same fuel. Do not mix the fuel added with ethanol with AVGAS. If you use AVGAS, do not start to use the fuel mixed with ethanol unless you do an oil change and clean all the lead from the top of the head of the cylinder ( if your AVGAS uses lead ). If you have deposits of lead in the head and in the oil, when you start to use the fuel mixed with ethanol, ethanol, as alcohol normally attracts moisture and water. Water mixed with lead will become acids and will corrode the metal inside the engine. You have to be careful with that.
For the same reason, don’t leave the fuel tank for long period without draining. The fuel mixed with ethanol will get some water.
We have a good experience with our fuel mixed with alcohol that we will be glad to share with you.
Best regards - Luiz Claudio Goncalves
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jimmy Young on
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Outside air has a lot of water in it, obviously more so in coastal/humid conditions. That water goes in the engine which is, as I understand it, why it's important to get your oil temps high enough to boil the water out of the oil. Wouldn't it have the same detrimental effect when it combines with lead deposits in the engine?
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Permalink Reply by Claus Nybroe on
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I'm not technical, but Ethanol picks up water into the gasolne. If gasoline is to old, I guess it contains much water, which is then precipitated in the tank - high oil temperature makes water in the oil evaporate - lead desosits is only a problem if you use Avgas.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Aysen on
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The Brazilians have no choice but to work around the ethanol problem. It doesn't sound like they're doing anything special they just realize their position and are dealing with it the best that they can. The situation would definitely put them in a position of expertise on the subject. If anyone has the same plight it might do them well to take note.... I'm glad I do not have to deal with this ethanol problem and hope I never do. We have enough conditions (naturally) that introduce water into our fuel and oil systems. I'm not as concerned about water content in the oil because of the reasons Jimmy laid out. However, I surely would like to keep as much of it as possible out of the gas. My two cents. Good post Claus.
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