Has anyone had a plastic (RCI) fuel cell dissolve/crumble from ethanol based fuel? This is the 3rd season for my car and suddenly the fuel filters are plugging up in 7 passes Never had a problem until recently. The 10 micron filter after the fuel pumps will start to plug up with a fine black substance. Only other likely source is the inside of the hoses, which were supposedly e85 friendly. Thoughts?

Did you leave the foam in? Maybe a piece was overlooked and left in?

nope, foam was taken out before use. I wish the answer was that easy. I went with a plastic cell after reading about the potential corrosion problems associated with ethanol and aluminum.

Was it a new Cell when you started. Three times now including mine when the holes were drilled by the factory for the fuel fittings they left the turnings inside the cell. What a mess we found. Zero problems in my Duster running alcohol for around five years.

No problem here with e-85/plastic sell, but I never leave fuel in there over the winter. Been 5 years now.

Would be more likely a hose lining than the cell, if all the foam is out.

I would bet you have one or more hoses breaking down. I leave fuel in my JAZ cell all the time never a problem

ok, looks like I'm keeping the cell and replacing the hoses. What brand of hose is recommended with a proven record of e85 compatibility. With that said, is there a rule of thumb for the useable life of these hoses?

I would step up and switch to the Teflon lined hoses, they will last forever on your deal
They are more money but you only have to pay once to start with
I now only use the Teflon lined hoses on any oil or fuel application now after having to replace some neopreme(SP?) lined gas hoses on one of my old race cars
Same thing on brake hoses also