How to winterize with Ethonol?

[madbanchee]

I've read many places (including here) that the boat should be stored winters with full fuel tanks to prevent condensation. However, I have also read that re-formulated fuel with ethonol should not be stored more than 60 days. Whats the scoop?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: How to winterize with Ethonol?

Vary rarely will you find fuel with more than 10% ethanol, Not generally a problem. I store my (plastic) built in tank at about half full, I do not personally use a stablizer, but it will not hurt anything if you want to. My boat sits for about 4-5 months a year and I have never had a fuel problem. I do however pump my bulb a few times durring the layup to keep the carbs full. and before I start it in the spring, I fill the tank with fresh 93 octane fuel to freshen it up and run 87 from then on.

 

[inohv8]

Re: How to winterize with Ethonol?

ethonol absorbs water, in a car it's ok it keeps your engine cleaner but if stored, the ethonol will absorb, it should not freeze because of the mix, but may hasten the contamination of the fuel even with a fuel preservative.<br />I would rather store with higher octane which lasts longer and dump some preservative in there.

 

[Outrage 19]

Re: How to winterize with Ethonol?

I've always been told not to use ethanol or any alcohol in an outboard. The rubber diaphragm and fuel lines are not tolerant of the mix and will break down.

 

[dolluper]

Re: How to winterize with Ethonol?

Ethonol chews up many fuel systems that use rubber and not neapheme I would diffently make sure I deluded that mixture a little will not hurt but alot will

 

[moderator1]

Re: How to winterize with Ethonol?

Moving to General Outboard Questions.