Pump gas contains 10–15% ethanol that attacks fuel systems during storage. Here is how to source, store, and protect classic and collector cars with ethanol-free fuel in Las Vegas.
Pump gasoline in Nevada contains 10–15% ethanol by volume. Ethanol is hygroscopic — it absorbs water from the atmosphere, separates from gasoline below 60% saturation, and corrodes brass, zinc, aluminum, and rubber fuel system components. For a daily driver, E10 is acceptable. For a car going into storage for 3–12 months, ethanol is the single largest fuel-related failure mode. Phase separation produces a corrosive water-alcohol layer that sits in the tank bottom, attacks the fuel pickup, dissolves carburetor float seats, and clogs injectors. Sourcing ethanol-free gasoline before storage and treating it with the right stabilizer eliminates this failure entirely. At REVCity Auto Storage — 7185 Bermuda Rd, Las Vegas NV 89119, 725-272-1803 — the intake protocol includes fuel system inspection, recommended fuel handling for classics and modern collectors, and climate-controlled storage at 50–70°F to slow remaining evaporative losses. The protocol below applies whether the vehicle is stored at REVCity or in a home garage.
Ethanol (C2H5OH) is a polar alcohol. Gasoline hydrocarbons are non-polar. They mix in solution under normal conditions, but ethanol’s affinity for water is far stronger than its affinity for gasoline. Atmospheric humidity, tank breathing during temperature swings, and condensation introduce water into the fuel. Once water content exceeds 0.5% by volume, the ethanol-water phase separates from the gasoline and sinks to the tank bottom — where the fuel pickup lives.
Ethanol-free gasoline (sold as recreational fuel, REC-90, REC-87, or marine gas) is available at a small number of Nevada stations and aviation fuel suppliers. Premium over E10/E15 runs $2–$3 per gallon. For a 16-gallon tank, the cost premium is $32–$48 — a small fraction of a single carburetor rebuild.
The goal is to enter storage with a full tank of ethanol-free fuel, treated with a quality stabilizer, with the fuel system primed end-to-end. A full tank minimizes air space (where condensation forms). Ethanol-free fuel eliminates phase separation. Stabilizer prevents oxidation and gum formation.
The fuel stabilizer market is full of similar-looking products with different active chemistries. The three that actually work in long-storage applications:
| Stabilizer | Active Chemistry | Dose | Storage Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRI-G | Polyisobutylene polymer + corrosion inhibitor | 1 oz per 16 gal | 12–24 months | Classics, carbs, long-term storage |
| Sta-Bil 360 Marine | Ethanol-displacing surfactant + antioxidant | 1 oz per 5 gal | Up to 24 months | E10 if unavoidable, marine, mixed-use storage |
| Star Tron Enzyme | Enzymatic dispersant | 1 oz per 16 gal | 12 months | Modern fuel injection, ethanol fuels |
| Sta-Bil Storage (red) | Antioxidant only | 1 oz per 2.5 gal | 12 months | Basic protection — less effective than 360 Marine |
| Lucas Fuel Stabilizer | Antioxidant + detergent | 1 oz per 10 gal | 12 months | Modern injection, daily-driver storage |
| Sea Foam Motor Treatment | Naphthenic oil solvent | 1 oz per gal | 6 months | Short-term storage, carb cleaning, not primary stabilizer |
REC-90 is 90 octane — lower than premium pump gas (91–93 octane). For high-compression classics and modern exotics, octane may need to be boosted before storage. Restarting a stored engine on under-octane fuel risks detonation, pinging, and (on direct-injection turbo engines) bent rods.
If REC-90 is unavailable or the nearest station is impractical, the next-best protocol uses high-volume premium E10 with aggressive stabilization. Acceptable for 3–6 month storage. Not acceptable for 12+ month storage on carbureted classics.
50–70°F climate (eliminates tank breathing). Fuel system inspection at intake. Stabilizer recommendation for every vehicle. BendPak 4-post lifts. 24/7 monitored gated access. Call 725-272-1803 to reserve.
