ethanol gas

Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
8
Hi,I'm new here and figured I'd make this my first post about the terror (for me),of ethanol gas. It cost me $1200 this year. My Yamaha 50 hp wouldn't run worth a hoot and the place I took it to did get it going after taking off the carbs and cleaning them. They replaced some other stuff too. Plus labor. OUCH!. Runs like a champ now. I am fortunate to have a non ethanol gas station near by. (mid grade) It cost a little more but it beats putting out all those bucks. Now I'm wondering how to store it for the winter. I don't like the idea of running out all the gas as it can dry out gaskets etc. Starting it up every couple of weeks doesn't trip my trigger either. How do the rest of you handle this 'scourge'? I don't know if this has been discussed,if so,sorry.Great forum. I've been getting a lot of good pointers from it and figured I'd join in. Thanks for any suggestions. Ron
 

EGlideRider

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 14, 2008
Messages
1,000
Re: ethanol gas

The proper way is to fog the engine, fill the tank, and put a stabilizer in the tank. Fortunately we don't have to worry about such stuff here in south Florida. (Snicker... Snicker....Grin... Grin...)
 

Dkrager

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 16, 2010
Messages
110
Re: ethanol gas

What year is your motor?

My old boat had a 93 mariner 25 hp on it. I had some issues with fuel lines rotting from the inside. My carb was full of it. Also had the reed valve gasket go bad also. I'm not sure if it was age or from the ethanol???? Probably a little bit of both.

My new boat has a 75 merc 4 stroke EFI. Merc says that you can run up to 10%. I like to put it away for the winter with less than a 1/2 tank of fuel and always dump stabilizer in for the last tank of gas.

Always remember the stabilizer!!!!
 
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
8
Re: ethanol gas

I bought the motor new in 99. I never really did much over the winter. It just always started up. Great motor for me. I'm not sure what yr. ethanol was introduced, but I truly believe it IS the problem. Worth looking into! I'll look into the fogging. Too darned HOT in Fla. (sweat,sweat,sweat:)) Here too at times. Again,great forum! Ron
 

EGlideRider

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 14, 2008
Messages
1,000
Re: ethanol gas

Ethanol is murderous on any rubber or fiberglass part of an engine component not run on a regular basis.
 

lamac

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 2, 2010
Messages
49
Re: ethanol gas

Install a fuel shut off valve on your fuel line or disconnect it and run the gas out of the engine before storing for the winter. Make sure you use fuel stabilizer also and this should solve most of your problems.
 

hotmod

Cadet
Joined
Apr 6, 2010
Messages
12
Re: ethanol gas

Just use marine grade stabil in your fuel at all times at a rate on 1 ounce per 10 gallons & you should not have any problems.
 
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
8
Re: ethanol gas

I have been using Stabil for some time now. I guess I never took notice of marine grade. I'll look for it and continue to use non ethanol gas. Like I stated earlier,I'm not a big fan of running the gas out of the engine. Those diaphragms,gaskets etc. can dry out. I'm just a little surprised nobody else has had this problem. I guess Murphy's law got hold of me. :( Thanks for the replies!
 

EGlideRider

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 14, 2008
Messages
1,000
Re: ethanol gas

Disconnecting the fuel line and running the engine dry is not recommended for modern fuel injected engines. A fuel cut-off valve is also not recommended.
 
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