“and it ruins small engines”
I’ve used ethanol-infused gas in my lawnmower, weed eater, chainsaw and lawn edger for years. No problems that I know of. My cars have run fine and no mechanic has mentioned ethanol.
I’m against the use of ethanol as a fuel but jeez, where are the complaints from the ordinary guy?
When ethanol was first introduced in gasoline, most engines were made with soft (rubber/plastic) parts that were incompatible with ethanol. It rotted the soft parts. Using other types of rubber/plastic solves the problem. For my own part:
1) I have never had any trouble with any 4-cycle engine of any size (weedeater to V-10) related to ethanol content in the fuel.
2) I have two 2-cycle engines. I have had trouble with the fuel lines rotting in both of them.
FWIW
Reduced life in small engines, and the fuel begins to form wax in 90 days. None of the loggers will burn it, a good chainsaw is over $700 bucks niw.
The dearth of protests has relate to the hopelessness of protests to change the mandate.
There is plenty of data on the damage the ethanol mandate is doing.
E85 fuel in “flex-fuel” vehicles may increase ozone-related mortality, asthma, and hospitalizations.
http://e360.yale.edu/features/the_case_against_ethanol_bad_for_environment
Congratulations on your worry free use of Ethanol infused gasoline. It would appear that I and a number of other non "ordinary guy(s)" have not been so fortunate. For an illustrated guide as to why some non "ordinary guys" might be having a problem Small engine damage
Having personally replaced three carbs on my lawn mower and one on my leaf blower my experience has been much different than yours. Because Ethanol is hydrophilic, over time it corrodes the metal parts of an engine and thus clogs up the filters on fuel lines and carbs.
Two cycle oil also has fuel stabilizer in it. So, if you are mixing it with 10% ethanol it typically takes care of the issues. As others have stated ethanol will gel if it sits in the bowl of your carburetor for an extended period.
Temperature also has a affect. Ethanol is hydroscopic. It tends to attract water below 30 degrees. This becomes an issue with snow blowers.
Lastly, automobiles have fuel injection. They have not had carburetors since the 1970’s. Ethanol is not an issue with fuel injectors. However, my Tacoma pickup is designed for 10% Ethanol mix. It states right on the fuel cap to not fill with E85 (15% Ethanol).
Talk to any classic car owner who still has the original parts and you will hear: Ethanol will eventually cause rubber fuel system components to deteriorate and contaminate the fuel system. The list of items could include hoses, needle tips, some carb floats, fuel pump diaphragms both mechanical and electric—and that’s just to name a few.
The reason why is every time you open the gas cap to fuel up, you also allow water vapor in from the atmosphere. That's not usually a problem unless you have a gas tank that's 30 years or more. Ever seen the inside of a rusted gas tank? That rust goes through your lines into the engine. Unless specially coated like newer cars, older tanks rust just like any other basic steel material. I'm sure you've heard of body-rot. Also from air moisture.
I have a 1958 Chevy Impala "survivor" with mostly original parts. When I fill up, I use Ethanol Shield which keeps the water vapor from condensing into a liquid that settles in the parts stated above.
So there's your complaint from an ordinary guy. Don't believe me? Google ethanol+water+damage.
Well...
It cost me $300 in towing and service to my 2004 Sonata because the ethanol attracted moisture froze my throttle body.
My motorcycle is carburetor-ated. The ethanol damages it and gums it up. Ethanol contaminated gas affects the performance (noticeably) in a negative way.
I have to drive 25 miles to the nearest station that sells ethanol free gas and fill gas cans I keep for my bike.
Pure gas increases my mileage in my cars by at least 5%. When I am able to run it regularly I have more power and pickup. With pure gas my bike goes from about 48-50 mpg to 53-55 mpg as well as running better. Ethanol in gas should be determined by the market, not fascists in DC forcing us to buy it, and then having to buy additives to (try and) deal with the damage and performance issues. I should have a choice.