Snowmobilers Have Trouble With Ethanol Gas

BANGOR (NEWS CENTER) -- Snowmobilers in Maine are complaining about a new gas, E10, that is made up of 10% ethanol.

The gas is designed to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Many, however, say that if the gas sits in the engines of stationary vehicles for too long the ethanol can separate from the gasoline.

"There's a major issue with ethanol in that in as little as ten days ethanol will separate from gas and if you burn straight ethanol in a snowmobile or a lawnmower or something like that you're going to cook the engine on it," said Lt. Pat Dorian with the Maine Warden Service.

In addition, with the Maine weather, wardens warn that condensation can also be problematic with the E10 gas. Water can absorb the ethanol and ruin the engines of snowmobiles.

Wardens are suggesting snowmobilers use an additive that will prevent water from getting mixed with the gas.

Snowmobile stores are saying that many additives are selling out because of the E10 gas problem.