Got a flapper-valve problem? Could be the ethanol fuel

Ethanol fuel may be causing flapper valves on Ford vehicles to stick. A consumer auto-help column recently took on a question from an owner of a 1998 Mercury Mystique GS who was having problems filling up his tank. The responding technician said Ford sent out a technical service bulletin that suggested replacing flapper valve assembly. Apparently the flapper valve can stick due to swelling and distorting "when exposed to ethanol fuels." Let this be a lesson to those who think that an ethanol conversion is as simple as adding an auxiliary ECU controller that instructs the engine to pump more fuel because ethanol doesn't pack as much energy.

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[Source: Toronto Star]