ethanol compliance

Hey all!

New guy here who just got his first OB, an '88 Evinrude 28 SPL. I am concerned about ethanol and would like to update my motor. All I see are two fuel lines, a tank to pump and a pump to carb. Do I also need to change the fittings? Also, is there a trick to removing the lower cowl, or is it part of the bottom half of the unit?

Thanks from a newbie.

Jason

Re: ethanol compliance

There may be rubber or plastic parts in the carb. Not sure about the cowl, generally it's two pieces. Wouldn't hurt to get a manual.

Re: ethanol compliance

Hey Jason,

I am driving pretty much everything on Ethanol, so I might be able to give you some ideas.

What are you trying to say, you stated "...I am concerned about ethanol and would like to update my motor...". There is nothing to be concerned about it, Ethanol is not bad, cleaner than gasoline.

The few legal minimum requirements of gasoline containing a small amount of Ethanol wont hurt your engine nor tank nor any fuel lines.

I run marine equipment, mostly 1964 on higher levels on Ethanol for some 10 years now, no issues except improvement.

If you are really serious about your motor, I would recommend contacting the manufacturer.

Ahoy!

Re: ethanol compliance

RMasters said:

Hey Jason,

I am driving pretty much everything on Ethanol, so I might be able to give you some ideas.

What are you trying to say, you stated "...I am concerned about ethanol and would like to update my motor...". There is nothing to be concerned about it, Ethanol is not bad, cleaner than gasoline.

The few legal minimum requirements of gasoline containing a small amount of Ethanol wont hurt your engine nor tank nor any fuel lines.

I run marine equipment, mostly 1964 on higher levels on Ethanol for some 10 years now, no issues except improvement.

If you are really serious about your motor, I would recommend contacting the manufacturer.

Ahoy!

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I've been a boater for a long time, just new to this particular boat. Everyone (including mechanics I trust) has told me to expect issues with my fuel lines being eaten by the ethanol. Is this propaganda, misinformation, or something else entirely? I can't take any chances getting stranded on the water with an infant and a toddler...

Re: ethanol compliance

jay33 said:

I've been a boater for a long time, just new to this particular boat. Everyone (including mechanics I trust) has told me to expect issues with my fuel lines being eaten by the ethanol. Is this propaganda, misinformation, or something else entirely? I can't take any chances getting stranded on the water with an infant and a toddler...

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IMO most of the fuel lines that people say have been "eaten"or "destroyed" by ethanol are just old lines that needed changing. Ethanol has become a scapegoat for all kinds of fuel related problems. With the motor being over 20 years old, it is probably a good idea to change the fuel lines though.

As far as getting stranded on the water with an infant and a toddler, there is only one way to prevent it. Do not take them out. Every time you start the motor you take a chance that it will break down. Just make sure that you have everything you need to take care of them for a few hours if it should happen.

Re: ethanol compliance

jay33 said:

Everyone (including mechanics I trust) has told me to expect issues with my fuel lines being eaten by the ethanol. Is this propaganda, misinformation, or something else entirely?

Click to expand...

Ahhhhh..... yet another in a long series of 'the sky is falling because of ethanol' threads. The fact is that "gasahol" started being sold in the early 80's or thereabouts. Every gasoline powered engine built since then has been manufactured with ethanol tolerant hoses, gaskets, etc. etc.

Sometimes, as already mentioned, parts (hoses, diaphragms, etc.) just wear out from age and need to be replaced. It's easier to blame that on the current boogy-man (ethanol) than to admit that an engine's maintenance has been neglected.

Use a good quality fuel filter/separator (Racor for instance), use a fuel treatment if you like (Stabil, Sea Foam, OMC's brand, etc.), check the fuel lines yearly for any signs of cracking or hardening, and you've eliminated most potential problems.

Re: ethanol compliance

Thanks all for the replies. I know the engine has been moderately maintained, and I suspect the hoses are all original although none of them show cracks or are hard. I'll just keep adding marine Sta-Bil and enjoy my summer. After fall haulout I'll do the fuel lines myself. Next is a decarbon, and I'm excited to see how much smoke comes out!!

Re: ethanol compliance

Carburetor and any "soft" parts can/will be affected by Ethenol.

By the way, Ethenol has a lot less energy in the fuel. You will use a lot more.

Re: ethanol compliance

Jason,

Simple: You can not run Ethanol (like E85) in an engine with carburetor, it would have to be modified as Ethanol needs high compression.

Most boat motor manufacturer recommend not using Ethanol, and I would stick with it. No reason to risk anything. The legal amount they can put into gasoline, as mentioned before, wont hurt anything, but it is always a good idea to keep your eye on things. However, since this law came into effect in 1980, everything manufactured afterwards is pretty much safe.

And the comment DJ made is not correct either. First of all it is not a lot, second of all if properly converted, any loss is usage is minor, but the benefit of the environment and your wallet huge.

Ahoy!

Re: ethanol compliance

Only real problem with ethanol is that it will clean the heck out of your tank, fuel lines, and filters. Most problems occur when people run ethanol gas in an old or dirty fuel system and the crud it cleans winds up in your carbs. I recomend that you drain and clean out your tank, replace all fuel lines and all filters (evan small lines under the cowling) and you should be good. Once it's clean, keep it that way and you shouldn't have a problem.

Art