Outboard Water Separators?

[J-Doc]

With today's ethanol content in gas, do most people run water separators on their fuel lines to the motor? My boat is quite old (33yrs old to be exact) and I'm getting Fishinwrench to rebuild my motor. I don't want to take any chances. If he says "run a water separator"....you can take it to the bank that I will. I just thought I'd ask and get some opinions experience with this.

From what I've read, ethanol gas will separate in the tank causing water and moisture content to separate and often pulls water into the motor before the fuel. Also the water/moisture can rust internal parts of the motor.

Anyone have experience with this?

[fishinwrench]

Well, you won't hear me say "install a w/s filter" on any outboard not factory equipped with one. On older carb motors all filtering should be done between the fuel pump and carbs....with no restrictions whatsoever between the tank and fuel pump (with an exception to pontoon applications where the fuel tank location is ABOVE the outboard, in which case an anti-siphon valve is required for safety sake).

I have seen some issues that were truly caused from excessive alcohol in the fuel but in all honesty I think the worst cases I have dealt with were not from E10 pump fuel but rather from the witches brew of additives that many have been "sold on" and were using religiously.

Your outboard will be converted to all alcohol resistant seals, gaskets, and diaphragms and you won't have to install any add-on filtering components or use any additional additives whatsoever.

Bottom line is this: Old or bad fuel is "old bad fuel" (period), whether you let it sit too long...or whether it was alteady bad when you bought it.... and no filtering/separating, or commercial additives will refresh it or keep it from getting "old and bad". There is a big misconception (hype) about "fuel stabilizers" like Stabil and what they are designed to do that I'm not in the mood to write a book on right now, but I don't recommend their use at all.

[jeb]

Great info from fishingwrench. And it's great he'll be updating your motor to tolerate E10 fuel. So you should not have much to worry about, unless you store the fuel in the boat for long periods. Then I would recommend something like the Marine Stabil product.

BTW, there are a fair number of non-ethanol fuel sources in this area. The Anderson's on Hwy 62 near Avoca (87 octane only), the Jiffy Kwick in downtown Rogers (across from the farmers market, all grades E-free), the gas station in Prarie Creek (only the premium is E-free there), etc. I ALWAYS get my boat and dirt bike fuel at one of those places.

[Greasy B]

How long is too long when storing fuel?

[J-Doc]

If Fishingwrench says "no filter" ......then its gospel in my book. Good to know I can run E-10 gas. I'd rather run non E-10 but if there are no issues with it or concerns, I have that option. Cool to know Fishingwrench is upgrading me to the good stuff. I had no doubts really. :-)

So silly question here.......

What do you do with old fuel?

You can't pour it out somewhere. Its a fire hazard and EPA would be on you like stink on a monkey's butt. By the way Fishingwrench, my current fuel is a out 2yrs old. I need to swap it out before I bring you the boat so you'll have good fuel in the tanks. I have the original OMC 6 gallon cans.

[Stump bumper]

So silly question here.......

What do you do with old fuel?

Weed and grass killer, I have an old oak trying to grow back under my shed and I have been feeding it my oil changes and old gas for 10 years and it still sprouts out every spring.

I am with fishinwrench on this one as far as Stabil and their like are snake oil, if there was a magic additive that would keep gas from getting old the fuel companies would use it to stock pile more fuel. Save your money for the pump, if that gas has been sitting too long, pump it out and put it in the lawn mower can or just ditch it and spend the money on GAS not magic potions, this is not about faith stick with the facts.

[J-Doc]

Isn't that dangerous? Could catch yard on fire....or worse.

[fishinwrench]

I have a waste oil collection service that actually comes around periodically and buys my old oil and fuel. Before I got hooked up with them I used to give my old gear lube to a shop that used a oil fired furnace.

I'll post up their contact info when I get back to the shop if anyone is interested, I think they cover a wide area of Mo, KS., and possibly Ar.

[jolicious]

Don't forget Fielding's (hiway 264) if you're yeaded towards Hickory Creek. they have ethanol free fuel as well.

[jeb]

How long is too long when storing fuel?

Depends on who you listen to, I guess. My dirt bike owners manuals say not to use any premixed fuel that is over a week old, for example. But for me personally, if I know something is going to sit for more than a month, I use Stabil in the fuel before putting it away. After living in MN for 35 years and storing a lot of stuff for 6 months at time, I trust the product. I know there are some in this thread that put the product down, but I'd say that's an unusual stance, to say the least. All kinds of engine makers recommend stabilizing the fuel. One of our generators and my pressure washer came with some in the owners packet.

To each their own and all, but it's cheap insurance IMO.