Some
interesting reading here on methanol as a fuel in engines, what changes
have to be made to engine technology to use it and its consequences.
The alcohol content of petrol in Ireland (ethanol, not methanol) was, or
was supposed to have been increased from 5% to 10% in July of last
year, but there wasn't much coverage of the fact in the media. In other
countries the ethanol content is higher in some regions. The
consequences for small engines are absorption of water by fuel over time
as alcohol is hygroscopic (like the way table salt gets damp if exposed
to air). The water doesn't separate out, which normally occurs when two
immiscible liquids such as oil and water are mixed, but mixes with
petrol to form an emulsion (like homogenised milk or mayonnaise). This
water causes corrosion of parts, and alcohol can also damage polymers
used in gaskets. I haven't found any issue with my garden equipment so
far, but I ran the engine of my mower until it cut out from lack of fuel
at the end of the season and drained the carburetor float bowl. This
year, I burned off old fuel by adding a small amount at a time to new
fuel over the last few months. In any case, fuel shouldn't be left in
tanks for long periods to prevent water buildup.
