toneeees
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The largest source of trouble with marine engines these days lies with the fuel and fuel system. Paying regular attention to both can help prevent major headaches down the road.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]What is ethanol and why is it so bad for marine engines?[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Ethanol has been added to the majority of today's fuel supply as an oxygenate to help reduce emissions. It's also used to extend domestic fuel supplies.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Ethanol is alcohol, and alcohol is "hygroscopic," which means it attracts water molecules. Since nearly all boat fuel tanks are vented to the atmosphere, water can (and will) collect in your fuel.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]When the concentration of water molecules in your fuel tank reaches just 1/2 of 1%, the water molecules will bond with the alcohol and sink to the bottom, where your fuel pick up is. Depending on the amount of water ingested into your outboard, this can result in everything from running problems to catastrophic damage.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Ethanol, being alcohol, is also a powerful solvent that can loosen debris in your fuel tank and all the tanks and lines it was in before it got to you. Once in your outboard, this debris can cause everything from running issues to a no-start, no-run condition.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]What can I do to protect myself from the potentially damaging effects of ethanol?[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Fortunately, there are simple procedures that can help, but it's important that you do your part. This is one part of maintenance you must proactively do for yourself.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Tip: Carefully filling a new replacement filter about 3/4 full with fresh, stabilized fuel before installation will make priming the fuel system afterward much quicker and easier.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Tip: Apply a thin film of clean engine oil to the gasket when installing the filter.
That will make it much easier to remove when it's time.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Your Yamaha outboard (and other brands of outboards, inboards and stern drive engines) has a system of fuel filters on the engine. It's important to know the location of these filters and to clean or replace them at the recommended intervals. You can find this information in your service manual or through your authorized engine dealer as well as online.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]As an example, here's a general guide using a modern Yamaha fuel-injected four stroke (other engine manufactures have systems you would need to check.[/FONT]
What are some other tips I need to know about my fuel system?[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif][Editors note: Aftermarket filters and stabilizers can be found on iboats. Filters | Fuel Stabilizer][/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]What is ethanol and why is it so bad for marine engines?[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Ethanol has been added to the majority of today's fuel supply as an oxygenate to help reduce emissions. It's also used to extend domestic fuel supplies.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Ethanol is alcohol, and alcohol is "hygroscopic," which means it attracts water molecules. Since nearly all boat fuel tanks are vented to the atmosphere, water can (and will) collect in your fuel.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]When the concentration of water molecules in your fuel tank reaches just 1/2 of 1%, the water molecules will bond with the alcohol and sink to the bottom, where your fuel pick up is. Depending on the amount of water ingested into your outboard, this can result in everything from running problems to catastrophic damage.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Ethanol, being alcohol, is also a powerful solvent that can loosen debris in your fuel tank and all the tanks and lines it was in before it got to you. Once in your outboard, this debris can cause everything from running issues to a no-start, no-run condition.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]What can I do to protect myself from the potentially damaging effects of ethanol?[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Fortunately, there are simple procedures that can help, but it's important that you do your part. This is one part of maintenance you must proactively do for yourself.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]1. Install a 10-micron fuel/water separating filter in the fuel line between your fuel tank and your outboard. It filters the gas and allows any water (which is heavier than gas) to safely sink to the bottom of the filter and out of the fuel. Yamaha's spin-on 10-micron filter traps impurities down to 10 microns in size (1/20th of the diameter of a human hair), to keep your fuel clean, and has an extra-large water-retention area. And since it's a spin-on, it's very easy to replace. Sierra and Racor also make a selection of filters for your engines.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Tip: Carefully filling a new replacement filter about 3/4 full with fresh, stabilized fuel before installation will make priming the fuel system afterward much quicker and easier.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Tip: Apply a thin film of clean engine oil to the gasket when installing the filter.
That will make it much easier to remove when it's time.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]2. Add fuel stabilizer and conditioner to every tank of fuel. Make sure to add a quality, marine-specific non-alcohol-based formula, like Yamalube? Fuel Stabilizer & Conditioner PLUS. These formulations are specifically designed to work effectively in the moisture-rich environments common to boats. And don't believe some of the claims you see today; no matter what you add to bad gas, it's still bad gas. No additive will restore stale fuel, remove water, or cure ethanol-related issues.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]3. Buy your gas where they sell a lot of it. The goal is to keep your boat's fuel fresh and potent at all times. Why buy gas that's already been sitting around untreated? Buy the freshest fuel you can find. Yamaha recommends you treat each tank with Yamalube Fuel Stabilizer & Conditioner PLUS and Ring Free PLUS. Add these before adding the fuel so they mix up well. It's an easy, proactive and protective habit to get into. Sierra offers a product to help combat some of the negative effects of ethanol fuel too.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Your Yamaha outboard (and other brands of outboards, inboards and stern drive engines) has a system of fuel filters on the engine. It's important to know the location of these filters and to clean or replace them at the recommended intervals. You can find this information in your service manual or through your authorized engine dealer as well as online.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]As an example, here's a general guide using a modern Yamaha fuel-injected four stroke (other engine manufactures have systems you would need to check.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Primary On-Engine Filter. This is typically on the front, side, or rear of the powerhead, and is usually made of plastic you can see through.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Vapor Separator Tank (VST) Filter. Attached to the electric fuel pump in the Vapor Separator Tank (VST), this filters gas again just before it's pressurized into the fuel injection rail(s).[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]In-Line Filter. Some models have an in-line filter between the primary fuel pump and the VST (vapor separator tank) and/or in the fuel line between the VST and the fuel rail, located along the top of the outboard.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Fuel Injector Screen. These are built into each fuel injector. They're very fine-mesh screens and are not user-serviceable.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]10-micron filters should be replaced every fifty hours of engine operation or once per boating season. Keeping this filter clean and fresh will help protect the other fuel filters on the engine and extend their service life. And always carry a spare on board, just in case you get a load of bad gas and the filter gets overwhelmed.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Primary and in-line filters should be replaced after every 100 hours of engine operation. These are easy to get to and simple to replace.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]VST filters should be inspected and/or replaced after every 300 hours of engine operation, provided that the 10-micron external and initial on-engine filters have been serviced and maintained properly. Properly treated fuel will also extend the life of these filters.[/FONT]
What are some other tips I need to know about my fuel system?[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Check fuel system components before each trip. It's important to visually and physically check the condition of the fuel hoses and connections for any signs of leaks or cracking each time you use your boat. Give everything the "sniff test". You should also check your primer bulb. If the bulb does not become firm when squeezed prior to starting the engine, check for a possible fuel system leak. If none, replace the primer bulb.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Carburetors need love, too. Late-model carburetors run very lean, with very small passages that can clog with gum and varnish. Use Yamalube? Carburetor Cleaner Dip full strength, or diluted using warm, soapy water, to help clean them up.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Gas containers. Be sure to add Fuel Stabilizer & Conditioner PLUS before filling them up, and[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif][Editors note: Aftermarket filters and stabilizers can be found on iboats. Filters | Fuel Stabilizer][/FONT]