Ethanol and Premix

[Salty Tricks]

We have all heard the possible nightmares with outboards and ethanol AND fiberglass fuel tanks. I was wondering if the negative effects of using ethanol in fuel premixed with oil would be diminished?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Ethanol and Premix

First, you need to understand there are two types of fuel containing ethanol. Regular grade gasoline in most states is now 80 - 85% regular gas and 10 - 15% ethanol. Ethanol fuel (85% ethanol and 15% regular) fuel is now available in many states as well. You DO NOT under any circumstances use Ethanol in an outboard (except if you live in Brazil or other areas where ethanol is common and the engine is designed for it). Ethanol blended regular fuel is just coming into the market in eastern states. Here in the midwest weve used the stuff for years with only minor problems which affects older motors that were probably due for fuel system rebuilds anyway. Now to your question -- if your fuel tank is indeed fiberglass and not plastic you may have issues. If its a plastic tank, fill it and go boating. No problem. Believe about half the stories you hear about the disasters associated with ethanol. If your engine begins to act up, rebuild the carbs, replace filters flush the tank and you should be able to run without problems until the boat is traded or it goes to the boat graveyard.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Ethanol and Premix

As I left the golf course yesterday a friend asked me if running 50% ethanol and 50% regular in his car would hurt it. I told him it would probably clean up his fuel system so have a couple of fuel filters handy. His car is a 1984 Olds Delta 88 with 284,000 miles on it. His response was "great", I've been using it all summer. The car performs better and starts quicker, although mileage is down a little. So far no ill effect. I also have an acquaintence that is using ethanol (not blended regular) in a 1999 Suburban. My new Impala is designed to run on E-85 (ethanol). This is just some first hand testimony -- not a recommendation.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Ethanol and Premix

Go Google "Ethanol" and get some real facts. For one, I know of NO places selling E15.. Only 10% (E10). Not out here anyway. E85 ONLY on cars made for flex fuel. And just where in hell does he expect to get pure ethanol, and mix it 50-50? Not sold that way. Ethanol only about a two thirds the BTU of gas, so gonna use more of it. And it will eat those rubber hoses alive, and what ever crud in the tanks wil get dissolved, in that poor old Cutlass.....I would NOT do it

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Ethanol and Premix

We are playing with words! He's running E-85 not pure ethanol. The mixture is also not 50% ethanol and 50% regular. Look at it in terms of gallons. a 20 gallon fill up for him is 10 gallons of E-85 and 10 gallons of E-10. Ethanol is the generic term everyone, including me uses (incorrectly as you point out). Regular gasoline (ethanol blend) is guaranteed to not have more than 15% ethanol but is typically held to about 10%. I guess we should also be calling regular E-10.

The most serious problems for boaters seems to be on the coasts and great lakes where larger quantities of fuel is used in larger tanks, and large older boats with fiberglass tanks are in use. Moisture seems to be an issue in those instances. Again, I'm not suggesting anyone run E-85 in their boat or their car. I'm only pointing out that E-10 (blended regular) is not as big an issue for the recreational boater than its being made out to be. The switch over in your area may cause some initial fuel system cleanup problems but then it very well may have been an issue down the road anyway.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Ethanol and Premix

"a friend asked me if running 50% ethanol and 50% regular in his car would hurt it. I told him it would probably clean up his fuel system so have a couple of fuel filters handy. "

"We are playing with words!"

And your words make no sense, this is WAY off topic (this is Johnson/Evinrude, not 84 Oldsmobile), and its been discussed to death in the proper forum anyway

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Ethanol and Premix

awh , come on, let's talk about oil while were at it. and whether to run the carbs dry.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Ethanol and Premix

Geez folks -- lighten up. This thread was about three things. Ethanol, its horror stories, and using it in pre-mix. I simply tried to provide a little humor and extreme examples. Sorry! We in the midwest have used the stuff in outboards, inboards, I/Os, chain saws, lawn mowers, our cars and tow vehicles for years. It may cause some initial problems but once the system is cleaned the engine will live nicely. And since ethanol is such a good cleaning agent, you will very likely have fewer fuel related problems in the future. Yes -- there are some fiberglass tank issues. Times change so some of you may need to reach a little deeper into the wallet to overcome those issues.

If you have oil injection and run the carbs dry the VRO may fill them up with oil. Since multiple carbs may not run out of fuel at exactly the same time some cylinders will run dry -- also not a good deal. Treat the fuel, turn the engine off and it will be fine until the next trip.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Ethanol and Premix

Ya still don't get it do ya.....

Ethanol, its horror stories, and using it in pre-mix.

Does this have anything to do with Johnson/Evinrude problems?

But what the hell..NO...affects permix zero

Geez folks -- lighten up. This thread was about three things. Ethanol, its horror stories, and using it in pre-mix. I simply tried to provide a little humor and extreme examples. Sorry! We in the midwest have used the stuff in outboards, inboards, I/Os, chain saws, lawn mowers, our cars and tow vehicles for years. It may cause some initial problems but once the system is cleaned the engine will live nicely. And since ethanol is such a good cleaning agent, you will very likely have fewer fuel related problems in the future. Yes -- there are some fiberglass tank issues. Times change so some of you may need to reach a little deeper into the wallet to overcome those issues.

If you have oil injection and run the carbs dry the VRO may fill them up with oil. Since multiple carbs may not run out of fuel at exactly the same time some cylinders will run dry -- also not a good deal. Treat the fuel, turn the engine off and it will be fine until the next trip.