I just heard an interesting thing on Goss' Garage Radio Show this past weekend. He stated that MTBE is an additive that helps to oxygenate fuel, but it is a pollutant and as such has been banned in twenty-two states. In those states (he didn't name them) the alternative to MTBE is used -- Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol). He states that MTBE and Ethanol are not compatible with one another and suggests that if your traveling from an MTBE state to an Ethanol state, you should make sure that your tank is very near empty before you fill up. The reverse is also true. He went on to state that when MTBE and Ethanol are mixed in sufficient quantity (a half tank full will do it) the chemicals react and generate a gummy precipitate that will clog fuel filters and injectors sufficiently so to cause hard starts, rough idling, and even stalls. Ed Goss has a good reputation in the Maryland/DC area and his opinion seems very credible.
Has anyone here heard something similar? Curious to know.
Scott