[Outland]

"...a simple switch out of the ignition computer chip and the addition of a sensor to the fuel tank will allow a standard internal combustion engine to burn any conceivable mixture of gasoline and ethanol."

For most vehicles on the road, it's not that simple. Some components of the fuel system such as hoses and gaskets may not be compatible with high concentrations of ethanol. The fuel injectors may also need upgrading.

[JamesP81]

For most vehicles on the road, it's not that simple. Some components of the fuel system such as hoses and gaskets may not be compatible with high concentrations of ethanol. The fuel injectors may also need upgrading.

Because of regulations enacted in the 80s, some states started requiring ethanol in gasoline. Auto manufacturer's have been producing engines that ethanol is safe for for about 20 years now. The seals being used these days are not conventional rubber. I can't remember the name of the material they're using now, but it is specifically designed to be impervious to ethanol.

It is possible that some vehicles might require fuel-injector replacement. This would not, however, be a cost prohibitive conversion for a dealership to make.

[redgolum]

You are thinking of methanol. Ethanol won't affect the gaskets at all. If they can handle gas, booze is no problem. Methanol will "dry" out gaskets fairly fast.

The only problem with the injectors is that the ethanol will clean off everything in the tank and fuel system. If you have a car that has been on regular gas for a long time, all that gunk freed up will give the injectors fits. For a new car, there is no problem. For an old car, you just need to take the time to clean the gas tank first.

At the plant I used to work at, a guy used to run his car on 85%, with no modifications. Ran ok, but the timing was certainly off.