Ethanol/Isopropyl Alcohol

[AlumaDoo]

Hey all, I'm curious to know the feelings out there regarding gas. Would the ethanol content in regular gas be hard on a sled? I ask because in extreme cold, I've considered adding an anti freeze agent to my gas (93 octane)to prevent gasline freeze. With most 87 and 90 octane gas having 10% ethanol these days, isn't that gas already safe from freeze up? I personally run 93 octane that CLAIMS to NOT have any ethanol. So, if it's really cold, would an anti freeze agent hurt my sled when I'm running 93 octane, or would it be benificial to just run 90 or 87 octane in the extreme cold to begin with? Yeah I know, the 93 octane shouldn't have any water in it, but ya never know....Hmmmm.....

[WINGZ991]

The gasoline itself will not freeze, regardless of the grade. Well, in all actuality it will, but at those temps you'd be nowhere near a sled, you'd be in a lab. What will cause you problems is the tiny amount of water in your tank and fuel lines, usually caused by condensation, that will occasionally freeze overnight, just to make sure you have a very happy morning. Keep in mind, there is some amount of water in most gasoline storage tanks, it's just a matter of how much. Tolerable levels are set for the differnet blends (not octane levels) like alcohol based versus non-alcohol based (aviation versus diesel, etc.) Underground tanks may leak around the fill points at the station, allowing rain or groundwater to settle in. Sometimes the fuel is contaminiated even before hitting the station. Try and keep it full before parking it for the night. My buddies have been known to dump a can of HEET in the tank, I've always been afraid to do it. Hope this helps.

[AlumaDoo]

Yeah, I was referring to the little bit of water in the gas freezing, not the gas itself. What I was wondering is if the ethanol in the gas would absorb that little bit of water, much like an added bottle of treatment to the tank. Just curious. I've considered a bottle of the Isopropyl before, but haven't done it either. I was once told that only the Isopropyl stuff should be used, and not the Heet brand. I'm stickin' to 93 regardless, but just thinkin' out loud I guess.

[SNOPROSTEVEO]

ethanol will absorb more water than straight gas can, how much more, not sure

[Vinnie6]

I have added isopropyl many times and have never had any trouble. That is iso-heet in the RED container, not yellow. It doesn't take a whole bottle per tank. Maybe half a bottle at most. Another option is a small amount (like an ounce or two) of seafoam. Seafoam is like stabil and isopropyl combined. Awesome stuff. If these products dilute gas and hurt performance, I have never noticed it. At least the engine is running.

[PolarisXC800SP]

I have a few times a year added ISOPROPYL antifreeze..I also have heard not to use HEET.
I have never had any problems, but just use a little bit. No matter the octane level you still can have water condensation..RIGHT???

[slideways]

Here's what I know about it from working on automotive stuff: The yellow bottles of Heet work for carbureted engines. The red bottles (isopropyl) are for fuel injected systems. As I understand it, the yellow bottles were bad for the seals on the injectors. Before fuel injection there was only one kind of Heet.

I use a different brand. IF you read the bottle it will tell you how many gallons a bottle is good for. I've thrown it in my tank and not had any problems. The best way to add it is as you are fueling. I throw it in first so the action of filling the tank stirs everything up.

Spanky, your question about Ethanol vs. Iso. My opinion is that Ethanol will absorb or dissipate more water than the regular gas, but for under 2 bucks Iso is dang cheap insurance! I can't see a problem with adding it to 93 octane fuel. I don't think it is strong enough to change the properties of the gasoline. My 2 cents.

[guitarfreak6688]

aren't the yellow ones for diesel motors?

[XCR440]

I always pour a little of the RED bottle of Iso-HEET. Bottle says it treats 10 gallons, but I usually spread it out over at least 30, unless I'll be riding in some really cold temps with lots of snow dust (Not the leader!) or while its snowing. And yes, it does cause a slightly leaner condition in the air/fuel mixture, because its not gas. But, unless you are running the ragged edge, it could help slightly on a normally stock fatly jetted snowmobile.

Personally, its just a nice precaution for those few flakes that always find there way in the tank when filling.

[ccc webmaster]

Here is the MSDS for Isopropyl alcohol. It appears to burn very well.

http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9924412

Use only the Red bottle of the Heet brand or the product sold by your dealer.