Ethanol?!?!?!

[dcouture29]

My merc died last week. I've spent a whole week trying to figure it out. Finally, I've got the carb cleaned and running.

I then checked the gas from the tank. I dumped a gallon of gas in a clear bottle, thinking I'd find water in the bottom. Instead, HALF of it was gas . The other half was below the gas and is darker. Is this ethanol?! If not, what could it be?!

I thought ethanol was only 10% This is well over 50%!!

I put gas it at a marina just before I lost power. I'm not sure if it's from the bottom of their tank.

this link has a picture of http://picasaweb.google.com/juliacoes/BoatPICs#

 

[Laddies]

Re: Ethanol?!?!?!

Ethanol should be at the bottom, type in phased separation in yahoo search and it will get you alot of good info or the junk. Here's a Mercury service bulleton link on it. http://www.ishopmarine.com/ishop-catalog/bcat/MM/001/03/2006/EN_10.PDF

 

[dcouture29]

Re: Ethanol?!?!?!

sorry, i didn't mean to PM. I'm new at this forum.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Ethanol?!?!?!

You have not PMed me and asked a good question here on the forums. I hope you get more replies.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Ethanol?!?!?!

The stuff in the bottom was water and ethanol. It isn't clear because it's been there awhile, and beginning to grow strange critters that are plugging up yer system.

If you have ethanol in the gas, and you get any water in it, the ethanol and water combine and drop out to the bottom.

I'd run non-oxygenated (no ethanol) gas if possible.

For sure, I'd run a fuel/water seperator.

I got a good deal on a boat because of this problem. Took quite a bit to clean everything up. Been running 92 through a Racor seperator since, with zero fuel problems.

hope it helps
John

 

[pigeon laker]

Re: Ethanol?!?!?!

In Canada(at least southern Ontario),Shell 91 gas has no Ethanol,look at the label at the pump and it tells you the Ethanol content in each grade of gas.Besides mixing with water,Ethanol has less heat value(BTU's) than gasoling resulting in poorer fuel economy and less power even though the octane rating is no different than before Ethanol use.I have been using the Ethanol free gas in my V8 pick-up and have seen a significant increase in gas milage as well as power.More than enough to offset the extra cost.Mind you my truck's engine is computer controlled and only newer outboards are.It would be very difficult to judge your milage,but,you'll really notice the performance differance.Just try to burn off as much of the Ethanol fuel as possible,never use it again ,and your water seperator should take care of any moisture left in your tank.Remember,most additives contain some kind of alcohol so make sure your tank is completely water free before using one or you'll be starting all over again.

 

[dcouture29]

Re: Ethanol?!?!?!

Thanks for the advise. I found out that the gas we bought at a marina had to pump out 150 gallons of water from it's tank after filling it up the same day we filled up. 6 other boats died before they noticed a problem. Thanks for the help. I've learned quite a bit about what to expect with Ethanol.