Good night everyone!
I'm a frequenter of this forum to seven months and I like the way issues are discussed here, and how I can get knowing about the Rotax 2-stroke engines, following the discussions posted here.
I would like to share my experience with the ethanol blended automotive gasoline used in experimental aircraft here in Brazil.
As you know, the Brazilian automotive gasoline has been added to 20% ethanol for two decades as a way to improve its octane features instead of lead. We dispose of this mixture in any gas station (with due care regarding the quality of it in certain positions) at about 84 octane.
As the Rotax 582 manual requires at least 90 octanes, I usually mix 30% of avgas (leaded) to reach the advice. About ethanol, I personally never had problems related to moisture.
I make my own maintenance and decarbonization, following engine wear and promoting all the necessary measurements. My Rotax 582 counts 371 hours, with the original crankshaft and within specifications. Some troubles that I had reports about fuels, were caused by the unreliability of the dealers in the country.
As for cost, I must say that automotive gasoline is attractive, even with the mix of avgas.
Here we have another option, which is "BR Podium" gasoline with 100 octanes, also mixed with 20% ethanol, but it has detergents that harm the lubricating properties of oil added into the mix and cost similar to avgas, therefore, unfavourable.
I hope had help you on some doubts about the experimental aircraft use of ethanol.
I am available to everyone and sorry about my poor English!
Hugs and good flights to everyone.
Rafael Peres
Uberaba-MG/Brazil
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