What to do about ethanol?

NYBo

Admiral
Joined
Oct 23, 2008
Messages
7,107
Re: What to do about ethanol?

If E10 is so safe, why do outboard manufacturers recommend NOT using it?
E10 is listed as acceptable in my outboard owner's manual. And it's an '88.
 

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
Re: What to do about ethanol?

Never, ever, ever use ethanol in anything..it is terrible, and it will only encourage more use of it..it does separate out, so if you love pulling your carb at the beginning of a season and cleaning out the thin, plastic like film it leaves all over the inside of it from the breakdown into something else thatw does not burn (by the way) skip it..I have researched this to the ends of the information..NEVER USE ETHANOL..

Sounds like somebody has been reading a bunch of hype and hysteria on the internet, so what did they sell you.
 

mphy98

Lieutenant
Joined
Oct 20, 2008
Messages
1,422
Re: What to do about ethanol?

I personally do not like ethanol. I live in an area that has the 10% and a mile away the regular gas. The few times I have filled up with the ethanol gas, my trip computer that calculates gas mileage for me showed me that I was getting 80 miles per tank less. That is always the way it is. In winter it is even worse. In the old boat I had to replace the accelerator pump because of ethanol. The new one was alcohol resistant. I have a friend that will sell me a 200 gallon gravity feed tank for a hundred dollars. I think I will take him up on that and buy regular leaded av gas I live out in the county so no regulations that say I cannot. That gas will last for over a year without treatment. I have just installed a water separator on the new boat, but I am very skeptical with an outboard and this stuff. Just my 2 cents.
 

stylesabu

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 2, 2009
Messages
849
Re: What to do about ethanol?

as a master auto tech, i can tell you that ethanol is not good for boats, if they let the fuel sit. e-85 is a joke, it costs more to use than regular pump gas.sure it cheaper at the pump,but measure your gas mileage or cost per mile and you will see it costs more for e 85. the only differance in vehicles that can tolerate/use e-85, is the fuel system,line hoses,fuel pump,tank and seal/gaskets can tolerate E-85. the others can't and it(e85)" eats" the fuel lines and seals.but regaurdless no fuel is good if left in the tank for more than a couple of months. stabil helps but plan to use all your gas by end of season. or firgure out how to drain it to use elsewere.
 

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
Re: What to do about ethanol?

I personally do not like ethanol. I live in an area that has the 10% and a mile away the regular gas. The few times I have filled up with the ethanol gas, my trip computer that calculates gas mileage for me showed me that I was getting 80 miles per tank less. That is always the way it is. In winter it is even worse. In the old boat I had to replace the accelerator pump because of ethanol. The new one was alcohol resistant. I have a friend that will sell me a 200 gallon gravity feed tank for a hundred dollars. I think I will take him up on that and buy regular leaded av gas I live out in the county so no regulations that say I cannot. That gas will last for over a year without treatment. I have just installed a water separator on the new boat, but I am very skeptical with an outboard and this stuff. Just my 2 cents.

Sounds like a lot of work and money for little benefit.
 

NYBo

Admiral
Joined
Oct 23, 2008
Messages
7,107
Re: What to do about ethanol?

I personally do not like ethanol. I live in an area that has the 10% and a mile away the regular gas. The few times I have filled up with the ethanol gas, my trip computer that calculates gas mileage for me showed me that I was getting 80 miles per tank less. That is always the way it is. In winter it is even worse.
The fuel economy difference between straight gas and E10 is nowhere near that. Your sample size is too small, I suspect. Fuel economy is always worse in winter inareas with cold weather, so that's also not a valid complaint.
 

SparkieBoat

Captain
Joined
Aug 17, 2009
Messages
3,643
Re: What to do about ethanol?

fuel ecomomy test have shown as high as %40 decrease in milage with %10 ethonal vs non ethanol., but the normal is closer to 6-8%..the least was %2 in the test that I read.
IMO ethanol sux bad
 

NYBo

Admiral
Joined
Oct 23, 2008
Messages
7,107
Re: What to do about ethanol?

fuel ecomomy test have shown as high as %40 decrease in milage with %10 ethonal vs non ethanol., but the normal is closer to 6-8%..the least was %2 in the test that I read.
IMO ethanol sux bad
The 40% decrease is with E85, not E10.
 

Cannondale

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 22, 2010
Messages
278
Re: What to do about ethanol?

fuel ecomomy test have shown as high as %40 decrease in milage with %10 ethonal vs non ethanol., but the normal is closer to 6-8%..the least was %2 in the test that I read.
IMO ethanol sux bad


I need to see that 40% drop to believe it. That's really within the realm of the unbelievable otherwise. Like is said, talk's cheap.
 

TilliamWe

Banned
Joined
Dec 21, 2004
Messages
6,579
Re: What to do about ethanol?

"Old" thread with LOTS of misguided information.

The single best thing to do about ethanol in a boat is to USE THE BOAT REGULARY. Don't pretend to be a boater, and let it sit on the trailer or at the dock for weeks at a time, while you drink beer. Actually go out and use the gas. You'll be amazed how well it works, then!
 

gestut1

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 5, 2011
Messages
41
Re: What to do about ethanol?

install a 10 micron fuel water seperator and say your prayers.
we have been reccomendinding, based on the past 2 years, not to store E fueled tanks on boats full.
lets say its like my 21 seapro, holds 65 gallons, that means full it holds 6.5 gallons or so of ethanol that doesnt like gas much and prefers the company of water.
most tanks,not mine, are vented directly to the atmosphere and that 6.5 gallons of E will try to absorb about 4 gallons of H2O, at about 4.3 gallons the water and the ethanol will fall out of solution,its called phase seperating.
little tanks dont have much problems and most autos turn over fuel fast enough but many large boats with 100 gallon o 350 gallon tanks do have issues even when almost new.

wont even preach on your tank and lines.

how about the newer merc engined with MPI, is it okay to use 10 % ethanol, ?
 

King James

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
41
Re: What to do about ethanol?

flw outdoors had article on e10 and now e 15 in march isssue
 
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