ethanol

[mercerfisherman]

I own a 1984 50 hp. Mercury outboard. Is it safe to use a gasoline with 10% ethanol?

 

[Major Woods]

Re: ethanol

Here in CT we don't have a choice as all gas has the 10% added.<br />Many people have had issues when the gas starts loosening debri that eventually clogs filters, carbs, injectors etc...<br /><br />There has been some talk that the fuel is hard on older rubber components on motors.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: ethanol

If your fuel system has been kept clean until the time you started using "corn squeezins" chances are you'll not notice any difference. As the Major says, if the tank, lines, carbs have gunk in them, chances are that material will be loosened. Do not run the engine if it begins to act up as it will be due to a lean condition. That can cause problems. Rebuild the carbs, replace filters, clean the tank and you'll be good to go. We've been using the stuff in the midwest for years with no problem (except in dirty engines).

 

[BF130]

Re: ethanol

I wouldn't leave ethanol blended gas in the carbs for an extended period of time with no use. Seems that the ethanol, a solvent, eats at the sacrificial materials and deposits the debris throughout the system. Also, I had a problem with an aftermarket fuel filter that became 'unglued' and found particles of glue post-filter in my vapor separator tank. My mechanic believed that the ethanol was to blame. We replaced it with an OEM filter and have had no problems since. The supplier of the aftermarket filter reimbursed me for the cost of repair so I'm not going to mention their name here.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: ethanol

Most fuel system components today are designed to handle ethanol. If for some reason you buy an older part thats been sitting in stock for years, it is very possible it is not ethanol tolerant. Motors from the early to mid '90's can tolerate ethanol. My 11 year old Evinrude 40 carbs were clean as a whistle when rebuilt. The engine was never run dry for storage, but always had treated fuel run through it prior to storage. That motor ran ethanol its entire life.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: ethanol

I've run about all fuels available, and the 10% 89 octane (here) falls about 50RPM short of straight 87 or 91, and tends to use just a bit more of the 10% than any other grade.<br />I've tried to calculate a savings using the 3 cent a gal less 10% and the higher usage is greater than the savings.<br />By the way, there are still alot of after-market carb kits out there that have some problems with the ethanol...go OEM if you kit it.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: ethanol

Change all the fuel lines...At that time the hose that was being used would deteriorate from the alcohol.