The E15 Apocalypse

                       V-Rod Fuel Pump with High Pressure Side Nipple Pushing Out Of Body


So, E15 is on its way.  And the government has just now realized that Ethanol is bad for engines.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/study-new-e15-gas-can-ruin-auto-engines/article/2520078

From the article:

"The additional E15 testing, completed this month, has identified an elevated incidence of fuel pump failures, fuel system component swelling, and impairment of fuel measurement systems in some of the vehicles tested. E15 could cause erratic and misleading fuel gauge readings or cause faulty check engine light illuminations. It also could cause critical components to break and stop fuel flow to the engine."

We have been seeing this for several years now.  E10 is tearing up not just automotive fuel pumps but Harley-Davidson EFI fuel pumps as well.  There are several problems with E10.  It separates the moisture out of the fuel so water pools in the bottom of the tank.  Then when you run low you get a big shot of water into your motor.  It also softens up hard plastic parts that make up fuel pump bodies and makes them brittle.  We have seen fittings back out of their bores and o-rings fail where they never did with regular gas. (See Picture)  

Sadly there is not much you can do to combat these problems.  There are a few products on the market that fight the water issue.  Amsoil makes "Quickshot" and Startron makes a fuel additive.  There is nothing on the market that helps with the softening of the plastics problem.

Maybe the best course of action would be to call your Congressmen and Senators and tell them,        

                                             "HARLEYS DON'T RUN ON CORN!"