WASHINGTON-a mixture of ethanol and 15 percent gasoline caused so much damage to the engine of the boat during a Government-funded study is testing two of the three types of motors ended early.
Ethanol makes machines that run hotter, and Rod bearings broke out, destroying 200-horsepower engine that is being tested, lawmakers were told Wednesday. Testing version 300-horsepower to be closed early when the valves were cracked or broken. A third, smaller machine finished the test but also have a problem.
Mercury Marine, a manufacturer of machines, conducting research under contract with the United States Department of energy in coordination with the national renewable energy laboratory.
Most ethanol gasoline now contains 10 percent of corn ethanol, but the environmental protection agency's move toward allowing the sale of 15 percent mixture for model year 2001 and new cars and trucks. Improvements aimed at expanding the market for ethanol to make sure that refiners can fulfill the mandate of the annual government biofuels usage for s.
E15 won t be allowed to be sold in old vehicles or boats and electrical equipment, but the car and boat makers worry that consumers can use a mixture of new machines to the isn t that was intended.