Tales of ethanol woe
BY PATRICK FOSTER
DESPITE repeated claims by local authorities that ethanol-blended gasoline is not harmful to late model automobiles, tales of woe from motorists have continued.
Government rolled out ethanol-blended gasoline in both 87 and 90-octane island-wide on November 1 this year, fuelling a barrage of complaints about diminished performance of vehicles.
Amidst the raft of protests Petrojam, the island’s only refinery — said that the detergent characteristic of ethanol results in the cleaning of gas tanks and the fuel system raising the possibility of sludge being deposited in an engine.
Managing director Winston Watson recommended a change of fuel filter after which, he said, vehicles should perform as usual.
Watson told Auto that tests done by Petrojam on vehicles of different ages showed no adverse effects on engines, in addition, he said that protection has been made against the corrosive chracteristic of ethanol.
“Where people are concerned about the corrosive properties of ethanol, we have put an anti-corrosion additive in our petrol,” he said.
Affected motorists, however, now contend that they should not have to bear the cost of replacing filters clogged as result of using ethanol.
“They told us we have to change our gas filter because of ethanol,” remarked one owner of a Suzuki Liana. “I did not budget to replace a $15,000 filter.”
The Suzuki Liana has its gas filter inside the fuel tank as do many late models vehicles, in which manufacturers recommend a filter change after 80,000 kilometres to 100,000 kilometres of driving.
In addition, those filters, for the most part, cost in excess of $10,000 each.
“They have a long lifespan hence the cost,” Automobile Dealers Association president, Kent LaCroix, said in reference to the cost of the Liana fuel filter.
But, even with a change of filter, other motorists charge that the performance of their vehicle and their pockets have suffered because of ethanol.
In many instances they argue that mileage has diminished since using ethanol, sending them to the service far more often.
Auto this week tabulates at least three cases where motorists charge that use of ethanol fuel has affected their vehicles.
Motorist 1:
Owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Pajero.
Two weeks ago he filled up with octane 90 e10 in Clarendon and drove to Milk River in the parish. On his trip back to Kingston, the SUV began losing power and cackling loudly.
After examination by a mechanic it was revealed that oil pumps in the engine were clogged.
According to the diagnosis, sludge brought up from the gas tank had stopped the flow of oil resulting in the engine running unlubricated.
Cost to repair: approximately $100,000
Motorist 2
Owner of a 2004 Suzuki Liana
After using ethanol, the power of the vehicle dropped considerably and the engine now vibrates violently when idle.
In addition, the fuel consumption has increased dramatically.
After a complete engine overhaul and cleaning, the problem persists.
A change of the fuel filter is now contemplated but the cost is prohibitive.
Cost for a filter: $15,000 plus cost for installation.
Motorist 3
Owns a 2004 Honda Civic
Since using ethanol, the power of the vehicle has dropped and the engine ‘stutters’ on occasions. In addition, miles-per-gallon have dropped considerably.
He says he has changed the gas filter but the problem persists.
Cost of filter: $10,000 plus cost for installation.