93 octane ethanol-free versus 87 octane w/ 10% ethanol in a Mercruiser 470/3.7L/165

[natemoore]

I found out recently that a gas station just up the street has ethanol-free 93 octane gasoline.

My 470 has a new fuel pump, rebuilt carb, and new fuel lines. I don't know if the new Quicksilver parts are made to withstand ethanol or not. I do use Sta-bil for ethanol in my gas.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: 93 octane ethanol-free versus 87 octane w/ 10% ethanol in a Mercruiser 470/3.7L/1

ok.........

Not sure I understand where your question is in all of this????

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: 93 octane ethanol-free versus 87 octane w/ 10% ethanol in a Mercruiser 470/3.7L/1

Ethanol can affect rubber parts. If you've replaced those in the last few months (or even in the last 10 years), with the modern ones, it's really a non-issue. If your engine runs fine on 87 octane then spend the extra money on beverages, fuel, and other stress relievers and enjoy your time on the water!

 

[mkast]

Re: 93 octane ethanol-free versus 87 octane w/ 10% ethanol in a Mercruiser 470/3.7L/1

I found out recently that a gas station just up the street has ethanol-free 93 octane gasoline.

I don't know if the new Quicksilver parts are made to withstand ethanol or not.

Are you implying you want to use 93 octane fuel? What is to compression on the engine?
Ethanol fuel has been around awhile, new fuel system parts should have no problem using it.

 

[natemoore]

Re: 93 octane ethanol-free versus 87 octane w/ 10% ethanol in a Mercruiser 470/3.7L/1

Thanks. That's what I wanted to know.

 

[E4ODnut]

Re: 93 octane ethanol-free versus 87 octane w/ 10% ethanol in a Mercruiser 470/3.7L/1

If you've replaced any ethanol intolerant parts with ones that can tolerate ethanol blends, you shouldn't have problems.

You will be down a bit on power as ethanol blend has less energy per unit than gasoline, but perhaps not enough to notice.

You will burn a bit more fuel for the same reason, but perhaps not enough to notice.

The engine will be running a bit lean, because the factory set the tuning up assuming straight gasoline. Depending the "safety factor" they built in, it may not do any harm.

Ethanol blend will absorb water and cause problems. As long as you don't leave fuel sitting in your tank for long periods of time, this shouldn't cause problems.

Aren't ethanol blends wonderful?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 93 octane ethanol-free versus 87 octane w/ 10% ethanol in a Mercruiser 470/3.7L/1

...
Aren't ethanol blends wonderful?

YES, they are.

 

[natemoore]

Re: 93 octane ethanol-free versus 87 octane w/ 10% ethanol in a Mercruiser 470/3.7L/1

YES, they are.

Burning food in your engine...not smart.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 93 octane ethanol-free versus 87 octane w/ 10% ethanol in a Mercruiser 470/3.7L/1

Burning food in your engine...not smart.

Tell that to Mr. Diesel. First diesel engines used peanut oil. Alcohol is a good fuel source. Complaining about ethanol is not smart, as it is here to stay and crying about it is pointless.

 

[natemoore]

Re: 93 octane ethanol-free versus 87 octane w/ 10% ethanol in a Mercruiser 470/3.7L/1

Tell that to Mr. Diesel. First diesel engines used peanut oil. Alcohol is a good fuel source. Complaining about ethanol is not smart, as it is here to stay and crying about it is pointless.

I beg to differ. Ethanol subsidies may be on the chopping block soon ('bout time). Let's see if there's really a free market demand for turning food into fuel....Do you grow corn in Illinois by any chance?

 

[DJ]

Re: 93 octane ethanol-free versus 87 octane w/ 10% ethanol in a Mercruiser 470/3.7L/1

If you have/had fuel related rubber products replaced, within the last 10 years, you're OK with ethanol.

Ethanol does "dry up" quicker and leave more deposits. That's a fact.

Outboards do not need the octane. Some I/O's MAY benefit.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 93 octane ethanol-free versus 87 octane w/ 10% ethanol in a Mercruiser 470/3.7L/1

No nate, there won't be much of a market once the subsidies run out. And that's fine with me. But when gas hits $5 a gallon, don't cry to me about it.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 93 octane ethanol-free versus 87 octane w/ 10% ethanol in a Mercruiser 470/3.7L/1

there won't be much of a market once the subsidies run out.

There's not really much permanent benefit in government (taxpayer) subsidized markets unless they can eventually stand on their own at some point.

It doesn't appear that will ever happen in this case..........It also appears that this thread has sufficiently diverged.........

 

[natemoore]

Re: 93 octane ethanol-free versus 87 octane w/ 10% ethanol in a Mercruiser 470/3.7L/1

No nate, there won't be much of a market once the subsidies run out. And that's fine with me. But when gas hits $5 a gallon, don't cry to me about it.

There will still be a market for corn. It's a staple food for most of the world. I hear that it's even used to feed livestock. Your $5 per gallon gasoline will be more than offset by reduced food prices.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 93 octane ethanol-free versus 87 octane w/ 10% ethanol in a Mercruiser 470/3.7L/1

Thread going nowhere and no longer related to the original Q? Say goodnight on this one.