Comments on: Almost There and Back Again http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/brazil/almost-there-and-back-again/ From Polar Bears to Penguins - Driving North to South across the Americas Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:16:12 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Neena http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/brazil/almost-there-and-back-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1242 Neena Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:56:51 +0000 http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/almost-there-and-back-again/#comment-1242 Hi Roberto! Great to hear from you! The problem with Brazilian gas was that by law they have to add at least @ 20% alcohol, so the best companies seem to add 22-24%. This percentage changes yearly, based on their production of sugarcane. Last year, they had to add 25%!!! Thanks for the recommendations. We are heading into Brazil again to visit a friend (on Argentinian gas!) who lives close to the border. Then we may visit other cities by bus, depends on our visa situation which is a bit complicated at the moment. We were on part of Ruta 14 from Iguazu to Mocona. When we come back from Brazil, we will head via Rosario to the Carretera Austral. At least that's the current plan! Hi Roberto!
Great to hear from you! The problem with Brazilian gas was that by law they have to add at least @ 20% alcohol, so the best companies seem to add 22-24%. This percentage changes yearly, based on their production of sugarcane. Last year, they had to add 25%!!!

Thanks for the recommendations. We are heading into Brazil again to visit a friend (on Argentinian gas!) who lives close to the border. Then we may visit other cities by bus, depends on our visa situation which is a bit complicated at the moment.

We were on part of Ruta 14 from Iguazu to Mocona. When we come back from Brazil, we will head via Rosario to the Carretera Austral. At least that’s the current plan!

]]> By: Roberto http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/brazil/almost-there-and-back-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1241 Roberto Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:06:42 +0000 http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/almost-there-and-back-again/#comment-1241 Hi Guys, I can imagine your worries. I believe your truck doesn't have to be a FFV (Flex-Fuel Vehicle) in order to run 10 percent ethanol. Any Toyota engine will handle that from what I understanding. The problem start if you put 100% Alcohol which could damage the aluminum block corroding from the alcohol (I don't think this is the case for Brazil's gas). When you arrive to Argentina follow this recommendations : . Change your Air Filters as soon as you can. . Perhaps change some lubricant hoses if you notice some damage also. . Choose any injector cleaning additive (in Argentina the best branch name is Wagner Lockheed) and use a couple of bottle for the next 500 miles or so. Verified this with your owner manual first. Basically this should clean truck's injectors. . In Argentina, use "Super", "V-Power", or "Fangio" premium gas. There are two main reasons for that. One if to keep your engine clean and the second and most important,.... it is common in my country that gas' station owners mix gas with water and this could be really dangerous for your truck. I hope that helps and nothing serious have happened with your truck. Are you going to travel via Route # 14th ?. If so, let me know. Regards, Roberto Hi Guys,

I can imagine your worries. I believe your truck doesn’t have to be a FFV (Flex-Fuel Vehicle) in order to run 10 percent ethanol. Any Toyota engine will handle that from what I understanding.
The problem start if you put 100% Alcohol which could damage the aluminum block corroding from the alcohol (I don’t think this is the case for Brazil’s gas).

When you arrive to Argentina follow this recommendations :
. Change your Air Filters as soon as you can.
. Perhaps change some lubricant hoses if you notice some damage also.
. Choose any injector cleaning additive (in Argentina the best branch name is Wagner Lockheed) and use a couple of bottle for the next 500 miles or so. Verified this with your owner manual first. Basically this should clean truck’s injectors.
. In Argentina, use “Super”, “V-Power”, or “Fangio” premium gas. There are two main reasons for that. One if to keep your engine clean and the second and most important,…. it is common in my country that gas’ station owners mix gas with water and this could be really dangerous for your truck.

I hope that helps and nothing serious have happened with your truck. Are you going to travel via Route # 14th ?. If so, let me know.
Regards,
Roberto

]]> By: Shreesh http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/brazil/almost-there-and-back-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1238 Shreesh Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:16:03 +0000 http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/almost-there-and-back-again/#comment-1238 Hi Wayne, I agree that there are not too many reliable studies readily accessible on the internet. A Wikipedia article sums up <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E10_fuel" rel="nofollow">alcohol based fuels.</a> The chart on the bottom, based on Volkswagen do Brasil, shows the parts of their cars that had to be modified for use with E20. Other sources vary, from relatively <a href="http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/ethanol_motherearth/me2.html" rel="nofollow">benign</a> to downright <a href="http://www.fuel-testers.com/understanding_fuel_alcohol_percent.html" rel="nofollow">dangerous</a>! Hi Wayne,

I agree that there are not too many reliable studies readily accessible on the internet. A Wikipedia article sums up alcohol based fuels.
The chart on the bottom, based on Volkswagen do Brasil, shows the parts of their cars that had to be modified for use with E20.

Other sources vary, from relatively benign to downright dangerous!

]]> By: Neena http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/brazil/almost-there-and-back-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1237 Neena Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:10:41 +0000 http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/almost-there-and-back-again/#comment-1237 Lakshmi/Madhuri/Chris, We are cooking up a plan to visit a friend in Rio Grande do Sul (on Argentinian gas!) and then maybe go to Rio and Ouro Preto by bus. Apparently it has rained a lot there and a lot of cities are under water. Chris, Ana's friend contacted us from Porto Alegre. I am not sure that we will go there, but thanks for that! Lakshmi/Madhuri/Chris,
We are cooking up a plan to visit a friend in Rio Grande do Sul (on Argentinian gas!) and then maybe go to Rio and Ouro Preto by bus. Apparently it has rained a lot there and a lot of cities are under water.

Chris,
Ana’s friend contacted us from Porto Alegre. I am not sure that we will go there, but thanks for that!

]]> By: Wayne http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/brazil/almost-there-and-back-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1236 Wayne Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:37:36 +0000 http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/almost-there-and-back-again/#comment-1236 Not sure were you are getting the info that the gasohol as when I read your article I did a quick research and didnt find anything that would indicate that your fuel system would be compromised. In fact the methanol is considered a cleaner for the fuel system as if burns cleaner. Just hate to see you cut a trip of that importance out of your agenda if you recieved false info. IMHO. Still in the end it is your decision and you must feel comfortable with it. Awesome trip!!!!! Love following your progress. Be Safe!!! Not sure were you are getting the info that the gasohol as when I read your article I did a quick research and didnt find anything that would indicate that your fuel system would be compromised. In fact the methanol is considered a cleaner for the fuel system as if burns cleaner. Just hate to see you cut a trip of that importance out of your agenda if you recieved false info. IMHO. Still in the end it is your decision and you must feel comfortable with it. Awesome trip!!!!! Love following your progress. Be Safe!!!

]]> By: Chris Levaggi http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/brazil/almost-there-and-back-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1235 Chris Levaggi Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:18:56 +0000 http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/almost-there-and-back-again/#comment-1235 Hi Guys, Such a shame to waste fine Brasilian cane sugar alcohol in a gas tank. I'd rather it waste me, with an iced Capirina! Enjoy a fresh, oven warm, Pao Quejo for us. Argentina in the Spring and Summer will be great! Chris Hi Guys,

Such a shame to waste fine Brasilian cane sugar alcohol in a gas tank. I’d rather it waste me, with an iced Capirina! Enjoy a fresh, oven warm, Pao Quejo for us.

Argentina in the Spring and Summer will be great!

Chris

]]> By: madhuri http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/brazil/almost-there-and-back-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1233 madhuri Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:10:56 +0000 http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/almost-there-and-back-again/#comment-1233 Ah, what a tease to turn around so close to Amazon. Hope what Argentina offers overrides the disappointment. Ah, what a tease to turn around so close to Amazon. Hope what Argentina offers overrides the disappointment.

]]> By: Lakshmi http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/brazil/almost-there-and-back-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1232 Lakshmi Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:05:38 +0000 http://www.alongdrive.com/a-long-drive/a-long-drive-sa/almost-there-and-back-again/#comment-1232 That is indeed sad news :-( My brief visit to Brazil gave me a glimpse of the nice people and the lovely language. I was looking forward to hearing more about your travel there. But, I'm sure you two will make it back there soon. Enjoy Argentina. That is indeed sad news :-( My brief visit to Brazil gave me a glimpse of the nice people and the lovely language. I was looking forward to hearing more about your travel there. But, I’m sure you two will make it back there soon. Enjoy Argentina.

]]>