Not Everyone's Buying In On Ethanol

Ethanol is hailed as the environmentally-friendly fuel.  But, some people wonder if it's killing their cars.  The News On 6's Steve Berg reports some are calling it a flawed fuel.

At the Phillips 66 station at 21st and Lewis they advertise 100% gasoline, along with their ethanol.  The News On 6 wondered why?

It's the dirty-little secret about ethanol or should we say, the corrosive little secret, according to the Reeder's Phillips Station.  Ethanol is eating up your car's fuel system.

"We're seeing an increase in fuel-related repairs here.  Fuel injector, fuel pump, fuel filters here in the shop," said Ross Ledbetter of Reeder's Phillips 66.

Owner Ross Ledbetter is the lonely voice against a world of ethanol supporters.  He sells both gasoline and ethanol because customers want ethanol.  But, plain and simple, he says, the alcohol in ethanol is a solvent, and plain and simple, and there's no way around that, even if it's just 10% of the fuel, known as E-10.  It's no different than the so-called gasohol of the 70's.

"Ya know we've been in business for quite some time, and back in the 70's, we saw problems with it as well," said Ross Ledbetter.

Newer vehicles are better able to handle ethanol than in the past, but not that much better he says.

"Ya know we're seeing some newer cars come in with some fuel pump problems as well that have been running it for a while," said Ross Ledbetter.

If you don't believe him, consider this, he says it would be easier to just sell E-10, because it's cheaper.

"That's why most stations in town offer ethanol.  It's a lower price for the consumer," said Ross Ledbetter of Reeder's Phillips 66.

Also consider why suppliers ask him to sign a waiver before they fill his underground storage tanks.

"That we wouldn't hold them liable for the ethanol because it's so corrosive in our tank," said Ross Ledbetter.

He says if you want more gasoline true believers, check with your lawn service.  He says most of them avoid ethanol, because it's tough on their mowers and trimmers and other equipment.

Generally speaking, 100% gasoline is around 10 cents more per gallon.