Ethanol is killing my fuel pumps! Change to electric?

[mkino]

I have a 1991 Sea Ray with a 454 bravo, 4 barrel carburetor. I go to Lake Powell once a year where they use a lot of ethanol, I think it is E85. My first fuel pump lasted 18 years, then since the ethanol exposure I have gone through three in the last 5 years. The fuel filters look like a horror show when I change them as well, but that is a minor issue. Not fun getting stranded when the fuel pump goes...

I am thinking that changing to an electric fuel pump would be a good idea, has anyone done this? How many psi should it be? Where would the carburetor fuel return line go? Any recommendations on brand names?

Thanks for your consideration...

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Ethanol is killing my fuel pumps! Change to electric?

Not saying that going electric is the right way to go, but you "have to" add an oil pressure switch so the fuel pump only runs when the engine is running,,, no oil pressure = no fuel pump running. The pump also needs to be wired to the starter, so it runs while cranking the engine,,, to fill the bowl while starting. (You DON'T want to wire the pump so it just runs when the ignition is on, you need to provide safety measures when wiring an electric fuel pump......)

For your failed pumps, what went wrong with them and did you tear them apart to see what failed in them? Failed due to ruptured diaphragm, rusted springs, clogged up, pressure too high, ___???

A low pressure 4-6PSI fuel pump is what you want, if you're going to go that route.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Ethanol is killing my fuel pumps! Change to electric?

I have never seen E85 in the US and most docks sell non-ethanol fuel. Are you sure that is the issue?

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Ethanol is killing my fuel pumps! Change to electric?

E85? Are you sure? Even here in the Midwest, where we've been using ethanol for a long time, it's not common to find gas with more than 10% ethanol. In my part of the woods, you'd be hard pressed to even find E85...

 

[phillyg]

Re: Ethanol is killing my fuel pumps! Change to electric?

I can't answer your question but I know you're definitely not using E85 in your boat. E85 is 85% ethanol and is available in some parts of the country. Some flex-fuel vehicles can use E85 or gasoline, but no boat motors I'm aware of. Ethanol up to 10%, which is what's widely available across the country, has a bad reputation with some aluminum and fiberglass resin tanks, older fuel lines and carb float bowls when the fuel mix does this thing called phase-separation, but this is the first I've heard about pumps. I hope someone can shed some light on your question.

 

[mkino]

Re: Ethanol is killing my fuel pumps! Change to electric?

Sorry I think it is 15% ethanol. I know it is an issue because my houseboat manger, who maintains about 40 houseboats, is always whining about how ethanol is destroying the fuel filters.

I didn't tear the fuel pumps apart, I googled it and it looked like a nightmarish process...

 

[thumpar]

Re: Ethanol is killing my fuel pumps! Change to electric?

I ran my 1983 Sunrunner just fine on ethanol. It had the original pump on it when I sold it in August. I think you have something else going on.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Ethanol is killing my fuel pumps! Change to electric?

If one runs ethanol in an older fuel tank that has an old fuel build up, it will stop filters up due to it being a good cleaning agent. You don't use ethanol in an old tank.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Ethanol is killing my fuel pumps! Change to electric?

Sounds like you need to clean out your tank. I really doubt ethanol is your issue.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Ethanol is killing my fuel pumps! Change to electric?

Sounds like you need to clean out your tank. I really doubt ethanol is your issue.

Ayuh,.... 'n change the fuel Filter more often,... it'll keep the crud outa the fuel pump,...

Once the fuel Filter is fulla Crud, it ain't a filter anymore,...

 

[gm280]

Re: Ethanol is killing my fuel pumps! Change to electric?

I suggest you are sucking up lots of trash from a 18 + year old fuel tank. I'd first remove the tank and clean it out and then install some new quality fuel lines and a fuel filter. I think you are replacing fuel pumps that are just trashed up and could run again with a good cleaning. JMHO!

 

[mkino]

Re: Ethanol is killing my fuel pumps! Change to electric?

I appreciate your thoughts guys. I think I will put a see through gas filter in before the regular filter and keep an eye on things. The wiring / switch issues fishrdan brought up sounds like a bit more than I want to tackle.

Thanks again!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Ethanol is killing my fuel pumps! Change to electric?

I appreciate your thoughts guys. I think I will put a see through gas filter in before the regular filter and keep an eye on things. The wiring / switch issues fishrdan brought up sounds like a bit more than I want to tackle.

Thanks again!

Ayuh,.... That's Not an acceptable answer,... Illegal to boot,...

Plastic, 'n glass are not things to use in the bilge of an I/O,...

Just change the canister filter more often, 'n check Contents of the take-off filters to see how much crud yer dealin' with,...

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Ethanol is killing my fuel pumps! Change to electric?

I would store /not in use with stable and block fuel vent line to atmosphere to keep out condensate from temperature changes but I would probably forget to unplug and not figure why my motor don't run right .Besides that grain crops are food or sprits .Heated boat today not long till spring we hope .Difference between methanol, ethanol ,alcohol is only a few degrees if you mess up.

 

[mkino]

Re: Ethanol is killing my fuel pumps! Change to electric?

Ayuh,.... Just change the canister filter more often, 'n check Contents of the take-off filters to see how much crud yer dealin' with,...

Aye aye sir, and thanks!