Is there ethanol in diesel?

[Sea Hunt Video]

The marina where I have been buying my small amounts of "non-ethanol diesel" has closed. I am looking for a place to buy "non-ethanol diesel".

I researched several "gas station" website locations for "non-ethanol diesel". The ones I called said they don't sell non-ethanol diesel, only "non-ethanol gas" (for boats). I also spent about 2 hours talking with "Mr. Google". He could not seem to give me a straight answer to the simple question:

Is there ethanol in diesel fuel

As reported elsewhere on this website I had a Suzuki 6 hp O/B for my Ty Weekender. I used gas with 10% ethanol and it wrecked havoc on the gas lines, carburetor, etc. When I finally switched to non-ethanol gas the problems went away.

I want to avoid similar issues with diesel.

Some websites I researched said that there is diesel with ethanol in it but it is a "specialized" blend and not for normal distribution. Others said diesel does NOT have any ethanol in it. Still others said most diesel sold has some ethanol. Simply stated, answers were all over the place.

Soooooooooooooo, I turn to the collective wisdom and knowledge of this board and

I ask, "IS THERE ETHANOL IN DIESEL FUEL THAT IS SOLD TODAY "

[Joe Myerson]

Hi Roberto,
As far as I know, there is no ethanol in diesel, at least not yet.
I can't guarantee it, but several years ago, when I was still working full-time for the late, lamented Northeast Boating/Offshore magazine, I wrote an article about a plan to start adding ethanol to diesel. I was roundly condemned as somebody who knows nothing about diesel engines, which is pretty much true. Several letter and email writers told me that there was no ethanol in diesel fuel. I believe they're still right, although the ethanol industry might be pushing hard.

I won't get into politics here, and I would hope some of the many knowledgeable folks on this board will weigh in, perhaps to call me an idiot once more. But, as far as I can tell, standard marine diesel does not contain ethanol.

Have at me, guys!

--Joe

[Jim Walsh]

https://www.dieselnet.com/tech/fuel_ediesel.php

Here's a report which was revised in January 2016. The following statement would be enough to keep me from introducing it into my tank, barring some further confirmation that all the usual fuel regulators had declared it safe. Only then would I presume it to be a viable replacement for number 2 fuel.

In e-diesel blends, standard diesel fuel (such as US No. 2) is typically blended with up to 15% (by volume) of ethanol using an additive package that helps maintain blend stability and other properties—most importantly cetane number and lubricity. The additive package may comprise from 0.2% to 5.0% of the blend. There is currently no specification for e-diesel in the USA.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Joe and Jim:

Thanks for your posts. Apparently, my limited research was accurate. There is no definitive answer to whether the diesel that sellers claim is "marine diesel" (non ethanol diesel) is, in fact, marine diesel.

Jim, I read the same article and website you posted along with many others. How do you insure that the diesel you are buying is in fact marine diesel No. 2 The marina where I used to buy small amounts 3-4 gallons or less at a time (it was a running joke at the marina ) is closed. I trusted the staff and yard manager when he said "its marine diesel, no ethanol". That marina is closed and the new owners are, well ............... Caveat emptor

I guess I could drive down to the Florida Keys and "assume" most Keys marinas would sell marine diesel, but still a chance of e-diesel. They say that diesel with ethanol has a LOWER flash point and thus more likely to start a fire. I don't need that issue.

[Steve Laume]

I always thought "marine" diesel was simply fuel to which the road tax had not been added to it's price. If I am wrong about this then I need to apologize to Raven for making her burn all of that terrestrial diesel I have been putting in her tank all these years. This is also perfectly legal but you can not use the untaxed "marine" diesel in your car or truck.

It is just diesel fuel. I have always heard that the most important thing is to buy it from a source that sells a lot of it. This presumes it is not sitting in a half empty tank for very long periods of time.

I never worry too much about where I buy my diesel fuel, Steve.

[Jim Walsh]

I always thought "marine" diesel was simply fuel to which the road tax had not been added to it's price. If I am wrong about this then I need to apologize to Raven for making her burn all of that terrestrial diesel I have been putting in her tank all these years. This is also perfectly legal but you can not use the untaxed "marine" diesel in your car or truck.

It is just diesel fuel. I have always heard that the most important thing is to buy it from a source that sells a lot of it. This presumes it is not sitting in a half empty tank for very long periods of time.

I never worry too much about where I buy my diesel fuel, Steve.

If we owned aircraft instead of yachts we wouldn't even have to pay a state tax on any fuel we purchased.....in Connecticut anyway, I don't know about the rest of the states.
http://www.ct.gov/drs/lib/drs/forms/200 ... au-477.pdf

[tjr818]

If we owned aircraft instead of yachts we wouldn't even have to pay a state tax on any fuel we purchased.....in Connecticut anyway, I don't know about the rest of the states.
http://www.ct.gov/drs/lib/drs/forms/200 ... au-477.pdf

So...Exclusively for aviation purposes Does that include driving to and from work so that can afford to keep my plane?
I know that any amount of ethanol can read havoc on older engines and their associated fuel system parts, but at present we use almost a gallon a year - should we worry?

[Oswego John]

FWIW

I know a guy who used 50% diesel and 50% #2 fuel oil on his work boat He did have a better than average filter system. I never heard of him having any problems.

Of course, he used much more fuel every day than a sailing ship does getting in and out of the slip now and then. I guess it was more economical to use a blend of #2.

Well, I can't ask him about details. The ship is sold and he has passed away. The fact is, I don't even know how long ethanol has been around. Maybe what I say is moot.

Think spring,
O J

[mgphl52]

I have yet to see a diesel pump with the obligatory "contains up to 10% ethanol" signage posted on gasoline pumps.

Here in FL, the only difference is the red dye added to "off-road" diesel, which can also be purchased at some stations. The only thing special about "marine" diesel, that which is actually bought at a marina, is usually the price. The nearest marinas to us believe the "convenience" they offer is worth 15 to 25% increase in price. I buy both from the marina when I also need a pump out and from a service station when I don't.

[Joe Myerson]

I have yet to see a diesel pump with the obligatory "contains up to 10% ethanol" signage posted on gasoline pumps

Sage words indeed!
My 1GM sips fuel. Sometimes I fill up at marinas; sometimes I fill tanks up at diesel gas pumps on the road. Both seem to work--and neither have ethanol stickers. So I think we're safe.

--Joe

[Dmitche4]

I have an F-350 Super Duty diesel. In NYS, all the pumps state ULSD diesel, this is the fuel I use for the truck. I believe I can not use any other fuel in the truck. My auto runs premium, where I fill up for the car, the pump states non-ethanol.
The above, unfortunately, does not answer your question.


David

[swhfire21]

ULSD bought on land is safe to use in any Diesel engine and is taxed as highway fuel. Off road diesel can be burned "illegally" in older Diesel cars/trucks, but its excess sulfur content will kill the exhaust treatment system on any vehicle/engine labeled "ULSD only"and is not taxed for highway use. As far as I've seen at the loading rack marine diesel is off-road diesel, which may be taxed differently than off-road diesel in states having specific marine fuel taxes. The only other difference between diesel fuels are the additive packages, which vary by brand. I've never noticed a loading rack lane labeled marine diesel in 25 yrs in the oil industry.

[bill2]

Hey Robert

Near as I can remember there's no ethanol in diesel ( which is fuel oil #2 ) which is now ULSD . Home heating oil ( also fuel oil #2 may only be required to be LSD - not sure about that one as one would think alot of people use heating oil in the winter so it to should also be ULSD ).

The only issues might be special cases :

1> I think some " starter " fluids ( sprays ) contain(ed) alcohol / ethanol

2> However biodiesel is occasionally introduced into regular diesel ( ie b5 is 5% bio while b20 would be 20% bio and because of its characteristics b100 is not commonly seen ) . While considered lower polluting ( hmmmm a discussion of particulates is a whole 'nother thread ) ) some say biodiesel is reputed to have less lubricity, gel at a higher temp and have a lower cetane number - all of which are easily dealt with by using an additive . . . I use such an additive year round in both boat and car . It " adds " lubrication , lowers the ( winter time ) temp to gel ( esp for biodiesel ) and increases cetane ( like octane in gas ) , to preserve tight tolerances in pumps/injectors, help combustion and such .

fwiw - in the " old " days they ( some ) used to add kerosene - esp in winter - to diesel to improve everything they do with additives now . Trivia - there are stories that truckers way back used to run straight kero ( fuel oil #1 ) in winter in Alaska .

A bit of a ramble but has some merit methinks

Fair Winds
Bill

[Neil Gordon]

If we owned aircraft instead of yachts ...

Then I'd worry more about a stalled engine, based on fuel or otherwise!

In two seasons, my little Beta has been reliable, but LIQUIDITY retains her sails, as backup, just in case.

[joemerchant]

There is no ethanol in diesel and never will and only because the findings on the NOX and DEF would increase the emissions, not help them. The government does not care that it would not only ruin the engines naturally, but also wreak all kinds of biological havoc on the ULSD fuel we now have to contend with.

The ethanol free gas is being phased out everywhere in preparation to go to the 15% blend of gasoline that will ruin any outboard carburetor that 10% hasn't already. It is getting harder to find and high octane aviation gas is really not a good solution, especially for the older motors.

The bio blends in many dyed (taxed) diesel blends are OK, and probably even better higher blends for the older engines. I ran for a long time on 100% bio and the only issue I had long term is my weight as the exhaust always made me hungry for McDonnalds french fries.

What the ULSD for diesel and corn for gas means to boaters is to not store the fuel as long as we used to and use additives. The new tier diesel requirements for offroad are another fun topic. I sure do love the EPA.