E-10 for science minded people

[mscher]

Re: E-10 for science minded people

If I read you right, the haze in the fuel is actually saturated ethanol?

Usually.

The ethanol is suspended/mixed with the gasoline. Water mocules are absorbed/bonded with the ethanol.

When enough water gets absorbed in the ethanlol, it will "phase separate", from the gasoline and settle on the bottom of the tank, as water by itself would normally do. This is where an installed water separater, would draw of small amounts the water/ethanol mix.

 

[mscher]

Re: E-10 for science minded people

After two days of discussions no one has asked the $64 question, because most outboard engines are not true oil injection engines but premixers will petroleum base oil mix with alcohol? NO. So what lubricates the $8000.00 toy when the alcohol goes through the engine.

Good question, since ethanol dissolves oil.

The answer is probably the same as with pollution controlled diesel truck engines, that get 5 MPG and are always in the shop - "too bad for you"

 

[Mark42]

Re: E-10 for science minded people

I never had a problem with "absorbed" water. My problems always come in the form of raw water being pumped into the tank from a gas station. Its the water that rolls around in the bottom of the tank that has always given me a problem.

BTW, the Moeller documents says their filters block water that is absorbed too.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: E-10 for science minded people

My 2 cents, every year when i pull the boat out from the backyard the first thing i do is go thru the fuel system.

I first pull the fuel pickup tube, and stick the clear hose i have attached to a dc electric fuel pump i keep onboard the boat into the tank way back into the farthest corner and i lift the bow up as far as it will go.

I pump the water and gunk out of the tank, till i see fresh gas in the clear tube, usually about a quart full of gas and gunk into the clear container, and shut off the pump, pull the line and blow thru the anti-syphin valve to make sure it's working good and nothing is gunking it up.

Then i move on to the fuel water separator, new filter, fuel pump, mine has a filter in it and i clean it. Then i move on to the fitting at the carb and clean that filter.

This is all done before i ever start the boat so i know i'm starting with a clean fuel system.

Now to do all this takes me about a half hour to 45 minutes, and i know it's sounds like it's a waste of time, but i have a old boat, and it has sat over the winter, and in my mind it's worth the time.

 

[Polar_Bus]

Re: E-10 for science minded people

Guys,
I just would like to relay some VERY good insight on what we as boaters need to be aware of as far as the dangers of E10 fuel. I snowmobile during the winter months, and the new E10 fuel has definately caused serious issues with mostly 2 stroke engines, as well as some 4 strokes too. Heres an excellent article:

http://www.hardcoresledder.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=389156

After reading all this I have been religious with adding Startron additive to my snowmobile, and also added it to my boat during it's extended winter storage.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: E-10 for science minded people

See i don't add nothing to my gas maybe a little octane booster in the first tank of gas of the season, 30 gallons sat all winter, i add a bottle to " wake up the fuel ".

But the other stuff i have seen clog up and gunk up too many small engines, and it's being cause by all these people adding it to the fuel.

Now with my cars i add fuel injector cleaner, thats a different story.

I know, i know might have opened a can of worms by posting. The stuff is supposed to stop the fuel from turning to varnish and all that, and engine company's say to add it, yea well they ain't cleaning carbs full of stuff out cause of the product they are endorsing.

And one more thing i keep seeing people post " but i used sea foam " Well that stuff won't clean ya carb out, only a disassemble and carb cleaner in a can, and a small wire, and compressed air will.

Just my 2 cents, and my own opinion. Bring it on, i know others will have a different one.