skeeter Posted March 27, 2011 Posted March 27, 2011 Anyone interested can find an informative article in the newest Bassmaster magazine about the effects of the use of Gasoline containing Ethanol in outboards. Title of the article is "Death by Ethanol". Makes no diff if your engine is newer or older this stuff is gonna' getchya' in the wallet. The notorious affinity for water that all Ethanol exhibits is the chief culprit. And now the EPA has approved 15% Ethanol for newer vehicles so be sure and read those gas pumps before filling up the boat.
gotmuddy Posted March 28, 2011 Posted March 28, 2011 Ethanol has made our atv shop lots and lots of money. The most noticeable thing is increased carb float needle damage. The ethanol breaks the rubber down and causes them to leak. everything in this post is purely opinion and is said to annoy you.
Gilly Posted March 28, 2011 Posted March 28, 2011 I was reading an article the other day that was suggesting the government was going to allow anything under 15% need not be identified as such on the pump. Hope that doesn't happen. We were vapor locking on 5% last summer. The pumps weren't marked at all. www.drydock516.com www.drydock516.com
Members DLM84 Posted April 5, 2011 Members Posted April 5, 2011 Ethanol will eat rubber like its candy, You have to use synthetic gaskets and such in place of it and tune it. Then it will be good to go! As for the moisture thing I don't know about that, most guys don't take care of their crap any way so if it wasn't the ethanol then it would be some thing else I think.
Trav Posted April 5, 2011 Posted April 5, 2011 Ethanol will eat rubber like its candy, You have to use synthetic gaskets and such in place of it and tune it. Then it will be good to go! As for the moisture thing I don't know about that, most guys don't take care of their crap any way so if it wasn't the ethanol then it would be some thing else I think. I resemble that remark. I read that article too. Makes you think some. I don’t think twice about my fuel. I stabilize my gas with every tank and hope for the best. "May success follow your every cast." - Trav P. Johnson
jeb Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 I think it's overblown a bit. I did read the article, and we should not run more than E10 (10% ethanol) in our motors. But any modern outboard, say at least in the last 10 years, and probably more like 15-20, should have no issue with it. I lived in MN for 35 years before moving here 6 years ago. We were the first state to mandate E10 in all pump fuels statewide. Corn belt and all, you know. I never had a single issue with it in any of my boats, dirt bikes, chainsaws, ATV's, generators, RV's, vehicles, etc. All of them were fairly new, though, and the owners manuals said E10 was fine. Never used any additives unless it was for storage going into the winter. E10 can certainly cause issues with older stuff. Consult the owners manual or call the company when in doubt. And if you store your boat on the water, I'd be much more concerned and probably use the Stabil stuff. Having said all of that, it is nice down here that we have a choice. There are 3 stations, at least, within 5 miles of my house that sell non-ethanol fuel. So I almost always get my boat fuel at one of those now. I know E10 is not an issue for my motor, but why not minimize the tiny risk that is there for a few pennies more a gallon, I figure? John B 08 Skeeter SL210, 225F Yamaha
jdmidwest Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 Here in MO, it is mandated 10% in low grade fuel and has been approved for 15. We don't have a choice other than use premium or go near a marine place that sells non-ethanol. Ethanol has been mixed in our gas for years and I tried to stay away from the stations that sold it. I have noticed in my mower tanks, my small outboard tanks, and others that I can see into, moisture forms in the bottom of the tanks. In the steel tanks, I see more rust. I use more fuel additives and clean out my throttle body in the 4 Runner 2 times a year to keep the check engine light off. "Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously." — Hunter S. Thompson
gotmuddy Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 We sell an incredible amounts of float needles for carbs. The ethanol eats at the rubber on the float needles causing a ring. everything in this post is purely opinion and is said to annoy you.
Wayne SW/MO Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 It's made my '99 Mercury a very expensive motor. I've spent a fortune having my carbs rebuilt and there seems to be no cure. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
gotmuddy Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 It's made my '99 Mercury a very expensive motor. I've spent a fortune having my carbs rebuilt and there seems to be no cure. how long does your motor sit? I *try** to use the ethanol treatment on mine when refueling but I also try not to let it set very long. If my 9.9 goes a month without use I believe it will rot away. everything in this post is purely opinion and is said to annoy you.
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