E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

[JimS123]

Now I got your attention. This isn't a thread debating the topic - but rather a forum to maybe pass along some usefull info.

We all know what to do to avoid phase separation...
* keep the tank full (or empty)
* use a chemical (no they are snake oil)
* etc.

So, for once let's hear from those that really have had the problem and what they did to get it. Itemize the conditions:
* boat outside or garage kept
* covered or in the elements
* if covered, tarp, canvas, shrink wrap
* stabil, startron, etc - or no stinkin chemicals
* how long since boat used last
* problem start in the Spring, mid-Summer, etc.

In other words, just the facts Maam. If you have not had a problem, no need to reply. We don't want to hear about the neighbor's issues or the buddy of your buddy.

 

[QC]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

I'm with Bubba. This thread is going to be a mess . . . Even "beat to death" at best there is just a ton of misinformation on this topic. Not sure how this thread's instructions make it any different

 

[NYBo]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

I'm with Bubba. This thread is going to be a mess . . . Even "beat to death" at best there is just a ton of misinformation on this topic. Not sure how this thread's instructions make it any different

Then maybe you should just close it so we can discuss something new and non-controversial, like trailer tire pressure.

 

[JimS123]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

I'm with Bubba. This thread is going to be a mess . . . Even "beat to death" at best there is just a ton of misinformation on this topic. Not sure how this thread's instructions make it any different

Well I apologize for starting it then. The criteria I set was so that it wouldn't be a mess. My objective was to simply have some guys post data without anyone arguing.

My suggestiuon is to let it stand for a day and see what people write. Close it then. (or now - its the Mods call)

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

:facepalm:

 

[roscoe]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

or oil.

 

[QC]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

There's nothing I like more than good data. The problem is that the posts usually go like this: "I used ethanol in my 40 year old OB and my starter rope broke, so I know it sucks."

We'll let it ride. Maybe these group warnings can keep it in check.

 

[Don S]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

I doubt if there is 1% of the posters on these forums that even knows why his engine failed. If there is water in the fuel, they say it's ethanol's problem, but the facts are water got into the fuel long before ethanol was around, and it happened a lot. Lean fuel from dirty carbs melts down pistons, but ethanol is blamed. Or maybe the timing is so far off, or the engine is so over propped it's lugging the engine or ...............
So basically, all you would get is a bunch of "I think it was the ethanol" posts, and most of them wouldn't be. So in the end, few if any facts.

 

[Alan_Scott]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

I've worked in the fuel industry for the last 24 years.
I'm that guy with the panicked look when you people come zipping into a station and try to drive around the cones and get between my trailer and the tanks when I'm unloading, running over the hoses in the process.

For the next few loads I hauled after the switch was made to E-10, the trailer dripped brown slimey snot after I disconnected the hoses as the built up varnish was being removed. After a few days, the inside looked brand new when before it had a dull brownish stain on the aluminum surface.

I think it was the ethanol.

During this same time, I noticed some stations had to change the filters every day while others only changed them once. The difference here was the filter, the "better" stations run 10 micron filters while the "economy" stations run 50 micron or higher filters.

I think that was the ethanol as well.

Luckily for the old boat, I have access to LL100 avgas at cost, which contains no ethanol and even has a bit of lead in it.

 

[Alan_Scott]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

PS, ask me in another thread about what a rip off midgrade is.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

along what Don says, I've had my problems but with such a blend of conditions and factors that I couldn't point to a single set of circumstances that would convict E10. Rather, I go with the mechanics who see all conditions end up with the same symptom or effect. That is more telling.

I know that what you buy from the gas station or marina is not exactly E10. Might be E5 and might be E20 or somewhere in between. Throw in the stations and especially marinas with water in their tanks and your attempt to set a "control" is shot.

From comments here, I firmly believe that "fuel degradation problems" whether E10 or not, has a regional function. The guys in the upper midwest (Minnesota, etc.) do not have near the problem as those in the South--my assumption is that it is due to higher humidity, heat, and temperature swings on the high end.

 

[sasto]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

.

So, for once let's hear from those that really have had the problem and what they did to get it. Itemize the conditions:
* boat outside or garage kept
* covered or in the elements
* if covered, tarp, canvas, shrink wrap
* stabil, startron, etc - or no stinkin chemicals
* how long since boat used last
* problem start in the Spring, mid-Summer, etc.

In other words, just the facts Maam. If you have not had a problem, no need to reply. We don't want to hear about the neighbor's issues or the buddy of your buddy.

* Kept on a lift, year around.
* in the elements
* with StaBil
* used several times a week

Never had a problem but decided to post anyway. I have 2 tanks. I keep one full, run it out, switch tanks, fill the empty one, run out. etc, etc. Been almost 2 years now.

This is a 40 year old inboard.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

do not have near the problem as those in the South--my assumption is that it is due to higher humidity, heat, and temperature swings on the high end.

I'd say probably the humidity and total days of high temperature more than anything else. The northern edge of the middle of the country by far has the most extreme temperature swings. (oceans moderate climate, so without a big body of water, you get extreme temperature swings) During summer, 50+ degrees between day/night temperatures is fairly common. 100 degree temperature shifts in 24 hours can happen at least a dozen or so times a year.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

The guys in the upper midwest (Minnesota, etc.) do not have near the problem as those in the South--my assumption is that it is due to higher humidity, heat, and temperature swings on the high end.

Also due to the fact that we've had E10 for 20+ years so we had our issues with E10 cleaning out the tanks taken care of a long time ago. We're also a lot less likely to have water from any source build up in marina tanks since the tanks are generally emptied for the winter.

 

[hog88]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

E-10 is a communist conspiracy to run up food prices and destroy our country....

 

[nlain]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

I bought a new boat in 1986, new year model, 1987, 3.0L IO, This is after Gasohol came out, there has been alcohol in gas since Gasohol came out. This boat ran that gas as long as I had it, never did put leaded gas in it. I sat without being used for over 2 years, full gas tank, no chemical treatment. I got so I could use it again, started getting it ready, it started and ran fine, maybe a little down on power but not much. It was stored outside, covered with a tarp, in SE Ga. Current boat burns the same stuff today with no problems, although, I do use stabilizer in the gas today.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

Watch SSTV the other day and ethanol was a discussion point.No specific comments other than you should change all your rubber things to ethanol approved product so it lessen the destroying of said hoses. He displayed some ethanol expose incompatible fuel lines and by was THAT a mess. It will teach you real quick to get those things changed. They literally crack while underway although they look perfect and KABOOM! You are stuck...or on fire.

That said, another show had the new propane powered motor. Granted it was a little one, but I can see changes in the future. Heck, there's a conversion kit for cars to use propane. AND it a lot less $$$ than any gasoline.

 

[buildmark]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

Wow, gasohol. I haven't heard it called that in a real long time.

Only problem that I have ever had with gas in my outboards were from sitting for awhile and carbs getting gummed up a bit. but that's nothing that some seafoam in the gas won't take care of after running for a bit. I'm not sure if it's because of E10 or not since I didn't own an outboard before gasohol came to be. I doubt that it's caused by alcohol though.

I have seen the same issue with mowers, weed whackers and generators that don't get used much, but seafoam helps them out too.

What I think happens is gas evaporates and leaves behind a sticky oily residue. Maybe the alcohol makes that happen faster. who knows but I would say it's all a myth.

 

[shrew]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

To have 'discussion' as to whether something is "Fact or Fiction" then call for it not to be a debate is a paradox. OK, think what you want and do what you want. It's not my boat.

 

[bgc]

Re: E-10 Myths - Fact or Fiction

E-10 is a communist conspiracy to run up food prices and destroy our country....

FINALY SOME TRUTH ON THIS ISSUE!