Sources Of Ethanol Free Gas

[Bill Cooper]

BTW, if anyone would like to test how much ethanol is in your fuel, I have the test on my website. It is easy and all it takes is a syringe and some water.

Go to www.servicehoney.com and click the All About Boats tab on the left. You can even listen to some of my old radio shows if you like.

I am currently perfecting a winterization procedure to end all problems associated with ethanol extended fuels. This upcoming season will be my pilot season for it.

Next, I will be experimenting with E85 on carbureted 2-cycle outboards if anyone is interested. I could use a few guinea pigs. All engines will have to be pre-1998.

Preferably, OMC large bore 2-cylinder, 3-cylinder, 90 degree V-4 & V-6 Crossflows. Is there a need? E15 is simple to compensate for.

[David Unnerstall]

Now I just know I am asking to have my fuel pump diaphrams disintegrate and clog up my carbs. But I run a 1974 75-hp Chrysler that I overhauled in 1992 that, so far, has had no issues related to alchohol in fuel.

[Bill Cooper]

David, you really should not have any problems if the gasket set you used was made in 1992. Especially if it was an OEM gasket set from Mercury Marine. All OEM replacement parts are made to withstand the fuels of the day for when they are manufactured. Inherently that old Chrysler is more apt to have problems from carbon build up. Give it a good soaking with Power Tune or Engine tuner once a year or every 50 hours, fog it with a good fogging oil if it is going to set three months or more without running, and stabilize your fuel. You won't hear this very often from boat mechanics, but, "I love most of the old Chryslers." There is value in simplicity. Too bad they had to die because of emmission standards.

[David Unnerstall]

I did that religiously, at first; but have gotten lax in that the last few years. This outboard had the rings stuck to the pistons with carbon and the cylinder walls were scored when I bought it. I had the power head bored .030" over and replaced the pistons and rings. I am looking for another boat but will keep this outboard.

[OnPlane]

Thanks Bill for the information. Somehow I knew that was what you were getting at when we were firing questions to you about oil and gasoline additives when I was picking up that FICHT the other day....You know me now I bet. Keep up the good work and keep the tips coming our way on this and other topics of boats and motors. Thanks.

[Bill Cooper]

You are very welcome. I wanted to let everyone know that I have started back into my night college classes, so I will out of commission for awhile (lack of spare time.) If anyone has questions, please fire me an email to sonsacmarine@hotmail.com. I have a break coming in mid-October, so I will check back in then to see what is happening. After that, I have a full load of classes until May of 2012. College, BRP, & Mercury.

Also, I visited with the Dept. of Agriculture fuel inspector last week. He just qualified 4- Five grade fuel pumps in the Jefferson City area. These pumps dispense 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, & 85% Ethanol.

Be careful when dispensing that you put no more than 10% ethanol in the fuel tank of any vehicle unless it is marked and approved for Flex-Fuel up to 85% ethanol.

[neoace77]

I found that St. Louis Race Gear sells ethanol free in 93, 110, and 116 octane. I know the cost may be slightly high but at least I wouldn't have to tear down my lawnmower carburetor every spring. 

[Gumboot]

Quick trip has ethanol free 91 octane in KC. Those pumps stay busy with the lawn care guys. Bullseye Pittsburg, MO also has it.

[skeeter]

On 5/25/2019 at 3:08 PM, neoace77 said:

I found that St. Louis Race Gear sells ethanol free in 93, 110, and 116 octane. I know the cost may be slightly high but at least I wouldn't have to tear down my lawnmower carburetor every spring. 

Learned through experience that if you're searching for Ethanol-free gas from a gas-pump  in a 100 mile radius of St. Louis....you're out of luck.  There was some little-known agreement with the EPA that only gas containing Ethanol would be sold within a 100 mile distance of St. Louis.  No, I don't know the name of the agreement or why it was imposed but the nearest station that sells Ethanol-free to the West of the Metro area is reportedly in Rolla.  Our Grandson got a new job in STL and moved there from Springfield, went searching for Ethanol-free for his lawn-care equipment and ran into this situation. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

https://www.buyrealgas.com/Missouri.html