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Alcohol Gasoline Fuels and Engine Wear in Cold Climates
Technical Paper
825027
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Automobile engine wear is a very complex phenomenon. The main
points of interest are piston ring and cylinder bore wear and wear
in bearings and cam/tappet contact. Oils and fuels have been
matched over years of development so that existing technology gives
good engine life and long maintenance periods even when the
automobiles are used in arctic conditions. The effect of the
results of burning alcohol-gasoline fuels in modern car engines
must be studied especially if a wide use of these fuels becomes
necessary in countries of cold climate.
Preliminary tests run by the authors' laboratories during
the winter 1979-80 both in laboratory and road conditions gave an
indication that engine wear with 15% ethanol (E15) and 15% methanol
(M15) gasoline blends may be a problem especially when the cars are
used in stop-and-go driving including a lot of running below normal
operating temperature. This paper describes the results obtained
mainly during the winter 1980-81 in a field test with four Talbot
Horizon vehicles using E15 fuel. Each of the vehicles equipped with
weighted components was driven in normal every day use in Helsinki
area over 20 000 km. The results show that engine wear is
accelerated and points out the urgent need of matching the fuel and
lubricants if alcohol blends are going to be used extensively. The
results include quantitative and qualitative information and the
authors give their recommendations for the necessary measures that
should be taken before the alcohol blends are ready to be
introduced to the automobiles of the great public