Durability of Automotive Fuel System Components Exposed to E20

摘要

This report describes a scoping study that investigated how a gasoline that contained 20% ethanol by volume (E20) would affect wetted automotive fuel system components such as pumps, dampers, level senders, and injectors. The primary test fuel for the protocols was an aggressive blend of E20 (E20A); E10 and an E0 test fuel were also incorporated into the program. An initial selection of 15 designs from different manufacturers spanning the 1996 to 2009 model years were chosen for this program. It is estimated that these design selections represent at least 37 million vehicles with components and systems similar to the construction and materials found in the components and systems used in this study. Since this study was designed for scoping purposes, the findings should only be used to identify where additional testing should be performed. This study was never considered to be comprehensive or as an exhaustive determination of fuel system component compatibility. Failing to find an issue in this scoping study does not imply none exist.