Three of the most common gasoline choices — regular, premium and diesel — are mingling with a new option at service stations throughout Oregon this month. In response to complaints of poor gas mileage and system-clogging complications from the 10 percent of ethanol flowing into tanks since 2008 mandates, the state Legislature recently added a new fuel option — premium non-ethanol.

Ethanol, a renewable liquid resource made from corn, was added to motor fuel as a way to ease environmental damage and reduce dependency on oil. Unfortunately, many drivers saw a decrease in fuel economy due to the change, said Mobile Tune mechanic Steven Perry. He said his personal vehicle went from getting 21 miles per gallon to 18.

Many customers reported trouble with their carburetors, fuel filters and fuel injectors because ethanol tends to strip varnish buildup in the system, which then gets stuck elsewhere.

“It was great in theory but poor in practice,” Perry said.

Some owners of small engine equipment — such as boats, lawnmowers and chain saws — ran into problems with rust, clogging and corrosion with ethanol-blended fuel, which tends to draw moisture, especially when left unused in the engine.

“We have seen problems (with chain saws),” Hobi Equipment mechanic Myrle Davis said. “The fuel sits, gets old, evaporates and loses its potency in a very short amount of time.”

Amrik Singh, manager of River Forks Market in Roseburg, had summer boaters in mind when he switched his diesel tank to premium non-ethanol last month. The response has been great, he said, and in a little more than a week of availability, the gasoline outsold a month's worth of diesel.

“New cars can run with ethanol, but some people prefer (non-ethanol) in older cars,” Singh said. “A lot of people like (non-ethanol) in their boats, ATVs and snowmobiles ... anyone with a two-cycle engine wants it.”

The non-ethanol fuel was selling for $2.99 per gallon today at River Forks Market, about 10 cents more than charged for the premium ethanol mix at several stations in Roseburg. The market was selling regular unleaded gas for $2.69. Several other stations in the area also sell the non-ethanol premium gasoline.

Although non-ethanol gasoline has always been allowed by law for small engines, many stations weren't carrying the fuel. People who wished to keep ethanol out of their vehicles, usually older vehicles, were transporting unblended gasoline in portable tanks from wherever they could find it and putting in their vehicles, said state Rep. Tim Freeman, who owns a Roseburg gas station.

The safety issue of transportation from stations and high demand for unblended fuel from loggers in their district led Freeman and House Republican Leader Bruce Hanna to co-sponsor a bill allowing the sale of the fuel to motorists. It passed 89 to 1, Freeman said, showing at least some demand across the state.

Supply has been hard to come by since the law permitted the sale, Freeman said. The free market will be allowed to work, but it may take time before the fuel is readily available, he said.

People should have the choice, said Davis, who plans to use the fuel in his small equipment and motorcycle. Still, both Davis and Perry said, engine maintenance is a key to fuel efficiency and the life of machines.

Perry believes people have seen the worst of the ethanol “growing pains” in their daily vehicles. Anything drivers do to maintain the fuel system, such as changing the fuel filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, will help offset the gas mileage lost to ethanol.

A lot of people like to blame their mechanical issues on ethanol, Davis said.

“Whether it is truly a fuel problem or not, everyone sure likes to blame it on that,” he said. “Sometimes it is easier to blame ethanol than to take (responsibility) for letting things sit or loaning them to your neighbor or brother-in-law or whatever.”

• You can reach reporter Heather Morse at 541-957-4208 or by e-mail at hmorse@nrtoday.com.