Biofuels may be hazardous to your car

Experts warn of worn-out gaskets, long-term damage to vehicle engines

With gasoline prices ticking higher all this year and the impact of Hurricane Katrina driving them ever higher, a growing number of Americans are turning to alternative fuels to power their vehicles. But experts warn that simply filling up with these unconventional fuels could end up costing you down the road if you’re not careful.

Frustrated with pumping gasoline that costs well over $3 a gallon, some U.S. drivers are turning to a collection of biofuels including E85, a mixture of 85 percent corn-based ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, and biodiesel, an alternative to petroleum-based diesel made from renewable sources such as vegetable oils or animal fats, into their cars.
These sustainable fuels are cleaner in terms of emissions than conventional gasoline, their advocates say, and their widespread use could ease U.S. dependence on Middle Eastern oil.

But despite the obvious benefits of alternative fuels, car experts caution that there are some hidden drawbacks. A quick switch to E85 or biodiesel, if it is done without enough research and preparation, can cause more harm than good, these experts say. Specifically, an older car may suffer from worn-out gaskets, or lasting damage to a gasoline tank or a vehicle