Unavailability of E0 (Non-Ethanol) Fuel 2

[StickFish]

Yes we have all seen the OSMB document of the locations where E0 fuel is available as well as a smattering of reports of local stations to Timbuktu carrying E0 premium. I'm dissatisfied with the lack of availability of E0 fuel after the law changed in January 2010.

I called Carson Oil (distributor for the top brand name gasolines) yesterday and was told that they do not deliver any E0 fuel to any station in the Portland metro area except for marinas. I asked if there were any plans to start delivering it later in the year and was told no. I was told by the person on the phone that we needed to band together

While there are other distributors, your results may vary

Some stations cannot carry E0 premium as some of them mix their mid rate octane fuels on site. However, many stations have separate tanks and would be able to distribute this fuel.

I have written all to the local news stations and gave them a news tip - below is what I wrote.

I'm a concerned boater. With the addition of Ethanol to gasoline, many boaters started to experience fuel related problems. Recent surveys of boat repair facilities show in excess of 80% of their repairs being ethanol fuel related. I have spent $500 repairing my outboards as a result of ethanol.

In January of 2010, it became legal to sell Premium grade gasoline at service stations in Oregon without ethanol. Some classic cars do not run well on ethanol additives and boats certainly do not. I have asked many local stations if they will be carrying E0 (non-ethanol) based fuel and most did not know the law had changed.

Yesterday I called Carson Oil (a fuel distributor for many popular brand named fuels) and was told that they only deliver E0 fuels to marinas. No E0 is being distributed to local gas stations in the Portland metro area. While obtaining fuel at a marina is practical it is much more expensive and impracticable if you trailer your boat to high mountain lakes.

Oregon citizens have complained about ethanol in our fuel (OPB even carried a recent show on it). The legislator listened and modified the law. However, consumers can still not obtain E0 fuel.

As a concerned boater, we could use your help exposing this and assisting in communicating or needs to gas stations and fuel distributors.

Thank You

I suggest that as many of you follow up with either the same letter or your own. In addition I'd also call Carson Oil and any other fuel distributor you can get hold of as well as ask everyone of your local stations.

[Jennie@ifish]

To the top. (Cross posted from other forums)

[honker1]

Called Staff Jennings today about getting some EO fuel. The person that answered the phone said that Staff Jennings in Portland is closing as of 2/27/10. So take another supplier of EO off your list.

[MikeMc]

I've been buying E0 at Fishers Mill near Redland. I not only fill my boat, but I also get ALL my fuel cans filled as well. I lost almost half the summer last year due to E10 and motor issues, not to mention the cost of repairs. I'll do a little planning ahead and run on E0 or quit boating. I'm not independently wealthy and just being able to fish at all, especially with the increase in fees is a stretch for us.

[StickFish]

MikeMc, see that is the point of this thread we need to band together and get our voices heard. Driving from Tigard to Fishers Mill is hardly practical. I don't expect very station to carry the stuff, but a few scattered around the Metro area would make it a lot easier.

300 plus folks have read the original thread on the community board, and not one reply about following through with contacting someone. The law was changed because of public pressure. However, they might as well have done nothing because the fuel isn't available in meaningful locations.

Look at the list that OSMB has, they list ONE location in Washington County - ONE. Multnomah County what four and one of them being a distributor we can't buy directly from, another that is going out of business and I forgot what the others are.

I guess from the lack of response knowbody wants to do anything about it.

[MikeMc]

Well, I understand your anger and your point about complacency. Unfortunately, Oregon is a state with a well-earned reputation for completely disregarding the will of the people. More than a few issues have gone to the voters, been decided, and the state has simply found a way to do what it wanted to all along. Add to that the fact that our current Governor doesn't care what anyone else thinks and is intent on shoving his agenda down our throats, and you might see why folks are not well motivated to kick up much dust. No one is listening. The situation will not substantially change under our current Governor, and under our current legislature. You want to change this? That's where it's done.

[Beginners luck]

I work for an outfit that buys bulk fuel from Carson Oil. I will give them a call and at least voice my opinion. Ive got a decent rappore with them.The metro area and the salem area need some of these E0 options. Heck, everyone does!
As the last post suggested and I agree. Our current Governor and legislators are less than likely to care.

MikeMc. You must work for the state?

[StickFish]

Lets keep the political aspects out of this thread. The law has changed - they did their job. There is obviously a demand for E0, but there isn't any supply in the metro area.

Beginners Luck, thanks for making that call, I'll be interested in hearing what you learn.

[Beginners luck]

Originally Posted by StickFish

Lets keep the political aspects out of this thread. The law has changed - they did their job.

Agreed.
Stickfish, I will PM you what I find out.

[catfishman89]

Originally Posted by MikeMc

Well, I understand your anger and your point about complacency. Unfortunately, Oregon is a state with a well-earned reputation for completely disregarding the will of the people. More than a few issues have gone to the voters, been decided, and the state has simply found a way to do what it wanted to all along. Add to that the fact that our current Governor doesn't care what anyone else thinks and is intent on shoving his agenda down our throats, and you might see why folks are not well motivated to kick up much dust. No one is listening. The situation will not substantially change under our current Governor, and under our current legislature. You want to change this? That's where it's done.

Dont worry. Lets vote them out in 2010. Then they can go in the unemployment line.

[namu mac]

How do you make a petrolium retailer make a large investment in a product to sell relatively little of it? Some of you guys are in business, do the math and see if it pencils for your local gas station to sell E0 in the premium grade.
We need to get this whole alcohol deal thrown out. Way too many problems with it and no end in sight. Cost more and we get less. hanks Big Brother

[sduyck]

ag west in hillsboro has found selling e0 highly profitable selling thousands of gallons a year to farmers and loggers...and landscapers...at 40 cents a gallon profit

[No Bail]

I called a distributor in Columbia County hoping I could get a card lock site. They only sell it to a place in Longview. I was so surprised I forgot to ask where.

Anyone know of a retail site in Longview for E0?

[StickFish]

Originally Posted by No Bail

I called a distributor in Columbia County hoping I could get a card lock site. They only sell it to a place in Longview. I was so surprised I forgot to ask where.

Anyone know of a retail site in Longview for E0?

Its in one of the many threads on where to get E0. But this begs a question. One you were so surprised that there were no other sites, yet your next reaction was to go look in another state for the fuel. Not picking an argument here, but don't you think you would suit your own needs best by taking the letter I've already written and send it to the news organizations with your name on it, just asking

[No Bail]

Originally Posted by StickFish

Its in one of the many threads on where to get E0. But this begs a question. One you were so surprised that there were no other sites, yet your next reaction was to go look in another state for the fuel. Not picking an argument here, but don't you think you would suit your own needs best by taking the letter I've already written and send it to the news organizations with your name on it, just asking

Thanks for reminding me about the search feature.

"Pacific Pride in Longview on Industrial Way, pump #9 has regular unleaded E-0"

[valleygems]

Down here in Albany/Corvallis Oberson has been offering EO. They are a part of the card lock system. I talked to the manager about a month ago, and he said more of the card lock stations will eventually offer it, but first they have to either free up and empty an existing storage tank or put in new ones and that will take a little time.

[StickFish]

I have some more info on this and you will probably only see it in limited quantities because clear e0 92 octane fuel isn't pipped into Oregon. They pipe in 89.5-90 octane and boost it with the ethanol. So at least in the Portland metro area you will NOT see e0 92 octane at any major retail outlet (that is a quote from a Chevron official).

According to him, one cardlock in Clackamas is considering adding it, but that is it.

Seems when the law was changed, the majors were pipping in 92 clear gas, or at least told legislators that was what they were doing at the time they started working on the law. Now its impossible to supply without trucking or barging it in. Some are considering changing the law to allow for the sale of clear e0 in whatever grade that comes into the state.

The next problem is tankage at the stations. Only about 25% of the stations do not blend their mid grade gas on site - sucks but we got played

[De-Dub]

Stickfish:
Can you tell us which Cardlock is considering it in Clackamas? I work close to a couple of them, and I would be happy to stop by and see if there is any contact information for that particular station. Heck...I'd even take the next step and call them to express our interest in them carrying the product. Perhaps they would work up a program for IFish members to utilize the facility?
Thanks for your efforts on this issue!
God Bless

[chummer]

I believe Donaldson's marina, next to the Gleason ramp, sells EO gas but I don't know what the mark up is. Anyone bought gas there recently and know the price per gallon?

[StickFish]

Originally Posted by chummer

I believe Donaldson's marina, next to the Gleason ramp, sells EO gas but I don't know what the mark up is. Anyone bought gas there recently and know the price per gallon?

Donaldson's carries e0 87 octane. Last weekend it was 3.499 cash per gallon.

Which cardlock no detail.

[JRM]

I found a great station, they have many grades of E-0 fuel and I drove the 6 hours round trip with a bed full of gas cans (not sure if its legal to carry that many)

-85 octane clear
-92 octane clear- personly tested and it is in fact clear e-0 and my 12:1 compression dirtbike does not ping on this fuel!
-100 octane unleaded clear
-110 leaded clear
-they also offer off road diesel
-they have E-85

Quickway market & Fuel
690 NE BUTLER MARKET RD, BEND, OR
(541)383-2288

[Cliff D.]

Originally Posted by JRM

I found a great station, they have many grades of E-0 fuel and I drove the 6 hours round trip with a bed full of gas cans (not sure if its legal to carry that many)

-85 octane clear
-92 octane clear- personly tested and it is in fact clear e-0 and my 12:1 compression dirtbike does not ping on this fuel!
-100 octane unleaded clear
-110 leaded clear
-they also offer off road diesel
-they have E-85

Quickway market & Fuel
690 NE BUTLER MARKET RD, BEND, OR
(541)383-2288

Hobart oil in Molalla is much closer to you and sells ethanol free by the 55 gal. barrel. Even has the barrels for sale !!

[SPRINGERMAN]

Try Av gas from small airports, ever see a plane fall out of the sky due to bad fuel. Twin Oaks on River road. A little pricey but good fuel.

[fish-on-bend]

For what its worth, I just use Startron additive by Starbrite ( bought it at Englunds) I found out about it on here 1 1/2 years ago. A $30 bottle treats 512 gallons. Its an enzyme fuel treatment. Cheaper than searching for and buying non-ethanol fuel.

[Davy]

Nelson Oil in Salem has both Premium and Regular NOE, he is a sportsman and keeps the price down best he can, A month ago when most gas stations were in 2.90 + range , we filled several cans for 2.74

[Gundog]

Anyone know of a place in Vancouver or Portland?

[StickFish]

Originally Posted by Gundog

Anyone know of a place in Vancouver or Portland?

Portland - Fuel Dock only.

Vancouver - there is one station off I5

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...=gas+vancouver

[Gundog]

Thanks Stickfish.

[EMO870]

Can anyone buy gas from Nelson? Or do you need a card like Pacific Pride? Thanks Davy.

Originally Posted by Davy

Nelson Oil in Salem has both Premium and Regular NOE, he is a sportsman and keeps the price down best he can, A month ago when most gas stations were in 2.90 + range , we filled several cans for 2.74

[JRM]

Originally Posted by Cliff D.

Hobart oil in Molalla is much closer to you and sells ethanol free by the 55 gal. barrel. Even has the barrels for sale !!

I did go to Hobart's once-filled one of my 55gal barrels up- but even there high octane still pinged in my higher compression engines, plus 55G is a huge pain to manage once home. Thanks though

[EMO870]

FYI - just got my boat back from the shop. $515 for 3 carb rebuilds on my yami. This is the last time I use ethanol gas. Not cool at all. I'm sure the shops are making good money (and practice) doing carb jobs.

P.S. I did all the things I've read on iFish about avoiding ethanol poisening. Stabil, winterized with the tank topped off, fogged the engine, etc. Still got me not to mention being on the river without power which is dangerous.

EMO870

Originally Posted by EMO870

Can anyone buy gas from Nelson? Or do you need a card like Pacific Pride? Thanks Davy.

[Cliff D.]

Originally Posted by JRM

I did go to Hobart's once-filled one of my 55gal barrels up- but even there high octane still pinged in my higher compression engines, plus 55G is a huge pain to manage once home. Thanks though

True on the pain to move part. Wish the tank on my boat was a little bigger !!

[dmlz]

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=309125

[jmg]

Originally Posted by EMO870

Can anyone buy gas from Nelson? Or do you need a card like Pacific Pride? Thanks Davy.

Anyone can buy it. You have to sign a waiver saying you understand what can happen while fueling. They give you a card for future visits. Back up to said pump and start pumping. Go back inside and pay and out you go. Just did it today. Regular was $3.20/gal.

[Crick_Camo]

I work for Tyree oil and we saw the demand, got rid of 92 E10 all together and stuck non ethanol in the tank. you can get it at the card lock or come in and we will fill up your cans.

[Gundog]

Originally Posted by Crick_Camo

I work for Tyree oil and we saw the demand, got rid of 92 E10 all together and stuck non ethanol in the tank. you can get it at the card lock or come in and we will fill up your cans.

Where is Tyree oil?

[StickFish]

Looks like Eugene

[JRM]

I visited nelson oil, wonderfull experence with friendly staff and quick service. They had me sign a quick paper stateing its for off road use only and turned on the pump- In and out under 15 minutes. I tested the fuel and it is infact E-0 and did not ping at all in my 12:1 compression dirtbike. Great find, Thanks Davy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8bTNITt6kg

[Don't fish e nuff]

+1 on checking local Airports. I buy it at the Lebanon Airport. It generally runs .25 over the Chevron premium and I for one am willing to pay it. That's what runs in my boat, mower, quad and all other small engines I have. Most of my stuff is new enough that it says it is OK to run 10% ethanol, but that does not address the moisture in the gas over a long period.