ethanol sucks

[Rodmaker]

Oh No, another ethanol thread. I enjoy reading all the comments but I just become more befuddled than before. Carry on!

[mixermarkb]

I think the big lesson is don't let fuel sit without being burned, ethanol or not. My like Wrench, my old mechanic swore by 87 octane in my old EFI, no additives needed. He also recommended nothing but gas in my optimax. Don Weed on the BBC forum recommends additives, and he's much respected. I think if you fish often, you can save your money on the snake oil. If you are gonna let your boat sit weeks at a time, ad whatever you like, it can't hurt, and any time you can buy gas without corn added, it can only help.

I myself burn 87 with no additives except sta-bil if I have to leave some sit, and try and not let it sit too long in the tank. I got 17 years out of a 225EFI, so it couldn't have hurt it too bad.

[Terrierman]

LMFAO ! Captured for posterity.

I've been working on these things every day since 1987 and I am seeing no reduction in the number of blown powerheads and gearcases as time goes on. The computer is sweet but I still need my hammer and wrenches.

Terrierman, if being wrong works then I'm OK with it. The engines that I've built and do service on are all still running great. Some have lasted longer since I rebuilt them than they did from the factory. I'm kinda proud of that.

I'm sure you are a very good mechanic. I've also seen with my own eyes what ethanol/gasoline looks like after sitting in a tank

(indoors) over a winter. I also know there really is such a thing as premium with no ethanol in it. On those two issues, you and I will just have to agree to disagree.

[fishinwrench]

No disagreement there. Fuel can go bad, for sure.

And I never meant to say that non-ethanol fuel didn't exist, but every boat I test has 10% alcohol in the tank. I see ALOT of boats.

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Is there anyway to tune an outboard to run on E-85? i have friends that have done it with cars to make a lot more power. I know they replaced a lot of things in the fuel system to handle it, but its a thought. But i know he is making 1250hp at the wheels on e-85 now in a turbo v-6. I guess anything is possible with enough money

[fishinwrench]

A combustion engine is a combustion engine, so sure an outboard designed to run on E85 is possible.

Converting an older motor to run on it is also possible. I can run one on spray can propellant.

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Im basically saying that cars that are that designed to be ran on regular gas are being converted over to run e-85 and are reliable, so im just wondering why the same thing couldnt be one with an outboard

[fishinwrench]

Just needs a proper fuel management system and sufficient lubrication.

[Tanderson15]

All I know is when I was living in Denver and October rolled around my mileage dropped 2 - 3 mpg because we had to have ethanol in the gas. Also my chainsaw, lawnmower, weed eater did not perform as good. I always try to use non-ethanol in the boat but always add merc additives to all tanks. My mechanic thinks it is hard on older outboards. My 2 cents if that.

[fishinwrench]

The only point I was attempting to make in regard to fuel fussiness and additives is that guys that religiously fret over their fuel and meter in various additives all the time still have fuel system issues and powerhead failures at the same rate as the guys who never bother with all that crap.

This is a bonafide fact that anyone in the marine service business can not dispute.

So if stressing over it makes you feel better then carry on. But you really aren't ever gonna see any payback for it, you are just overcomplicating your life.