google: why is ethanol added for winter gas
> which is why its used as an additive in winter fuel,
The Vapor Rub: Summer versus Winter Gasoline Explained
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15339380/the-vapor-rub-summer-versus-winter-gasoline-explained/
They use it because it is cheap and to promote winners and losers in the farming market that favors big agr tied to powerful (paid for) politicians.
Read This Before You Fuel Up This Winter
https://smarterfuelfuture.org/blog/details/read-this-before-you-fuel-up-this-winter/
"Unexpected water issues in your engines such as gum formation and engine corrosion could be the result of higher levels of ethanol being blended into fuel due to the Renewable Fuel Standard. "
> When I got back it was very hard to start and would not idle without dying. It feels like it is miss firing.
From working on vehicles left at air port parking lots, that needed to be towed for starting issues, here is what I have observed and figured out. The vehicles are vandalized to get back at people with larger gas vehicles (stuff put in the gas tank) or to promote the repair business associated with the local tow company (the vehicle I am citing).
I had one customer ask me nicely to look at her boyfriend's GM truck, even though they know I only like to work on Ford trucks. I found two disconnected injector harnesses on one side and three disconnected plug wires on the other (right) side of the V-8. They disconnected what could not be easily seen by opening the hood. I reconnected everything and it ran fine. Which is subjective since it probably had the leaking upper manifold with no filler neck, but, I was not about to open that can of worms on something I did not want to work on. Then I found a work around for his long standing problem of GM's wonderful sliding sunroof getting stuck in the open position.
I would suspect your vehicle was vandalized. It is very easy to remove a locking gas cap or get into a early Ford and pop the hood without being noticed. On many B2/Rangers you can disconnect the plug wires just by reaching in from the wheel well. Instead of chasing carb problems, I would look at what someone could have done to the vehicle or swap out the TFI module if you still are using one.
I now fill my vehicles and small equipment with non-ethanol gas whenever possible. I encouraged my neighbor to do the same with his 2018 Expo and 3.5L twin turbo, he said it drove completely different and was much better doing his long haul at 80+ MPH to FL from GA.