ethenol gas

[troypb]

What are some gas station chains that sell non-ethenol gasoline for my center console? Are there any? The guy I purchased my boat from said he had some problems w/ethenol, but I've ran it for a year and have had minimal problems, and don't see a lot of problems in my fuel filters. Does the Stabile gas treatment fix this problem. I also noticed the carbs on my Johnson 150 oceanmaster are plastic, is that why?

 

[seabob4]

Re: ethenol gas

Good luck finding a lone station, let alone a "chain" that sells ethanol free fuel.

Sta-bil or Startron work very well, use either or with every tank full...

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: ethenol gas

Install a water seperator filter and keep on boatin. We have been on it for about 12 years now with no major problems.

 

[seabob4]

Re: ethenol gas

There's more to it than just a Racor. Assuming the OP has a fuel/water separator, that's fine, but ethanol is hygroscopic, and it will absorb water both before and after the separator. Therefore, Sta-bil or Startron is a must...

And keep your tank topped off...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: ethenol gas

Locally Shell stations are ethanol-free. Doubt that will last though.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: ethenol gas

Can't tell what area yer from. That said, here in God's Country we are down to only, (one place [4 or 5 stations] that I know of). USA, (nice name eh), owned by Tesoro, (one of the three refineries in the State).

Me overpriced $.02 JR

 

[dingbat]

Re: ethenol gas

There's more to it than just a Racor. Assuming the OP has a fuel/water separator, that's fine, but ethanol is hygroscopic, and it will absorb water both before and after the separator. Therefore, Sta-bil or Startron is a must...

And keep your tank topped off...

Once the fuel leaves the tank it's sealed from the atmosphere. Even if it wasn't sealed, there is no way you can condensate enough water outside the fuel tank to cause phase separation.

Use Startron or Stabil to keep your fuel fresh, but don't count on it doing anything to keep phase separation from happening if you somehow get enough water in your tank. Been there, done that, they didn't prevent it from happening.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: ethenol gas

Probably 80% of the jobs that come thru the shop are related to ethanol fuel related issues. Either fixing problems or doing preventative work. Fuel was by far the most talked about issue at the local boat show last weekend. Sta Bil, Startron, 2+4 etc all stabalize fuel but we're seeing the one that addresses ethanol the most is Gas Shock. We've used it to gain back lost rpm from guys using ethanol fuel. It's even been working as far as extending mileage in the cars & trucks.

 

[surrender]

Re: ethenol gas

Is "Gas Shock " the full name of the product. I cant seem to find any info? Thanks D

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: ethenol gas

Never heard of Gas Shock, but will try to find it and give it a shot. If Dhadley says it works, then it works.

I've been using Star Tron for years, specifically for treating Ethanol. Stabil isn't gonna do squat for Ethanol, unless you buy the specific Stabil Ethanol treatment, but even then I'd still trust Star Tron over it.

troypb.....I'be bet the reason you haven't seen the problems that the PO did, was that he dealt with all the intial Ethanol problems. When it first started coming out and being used, it would lossen a lot of crap up in fuel systems, tanks, lines etc..

Once a few tanks of the stuff was run through and lines, filters and whatever else needed to be changed, were changed, usually the problem went away. So the PO of your boat probably had all the initial problems, had them fixed and now your fuel system is clean.

Keep good clean fuel/water seprators on it, don't skimp on them and make sure you change them every year, use Star Tron all year long, both when using it and storing it and you'll be good. The plastic carb bowls don't make a difference either way when it comes to Ethanol. I've been running both the metal and plastic bowls for years on Ethanol and have had no issues with either.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: ethenol gas

Probably 80% of the jobs that come thru the shop are related to ethanol fuel related issues. Either fixing problems or doing preventative work. Fuel was by far the most talked about issue at the local boat show last weekend. Sta Bil, Startron, 2+4 etc all stabalize fuel but we're seeing the one that addresses ethanol the most is Gas Shock. We've used it to gain back lost rpm from guys using ethanol fuel. It's even been working as far as extending mileage in the cars & trucks.

I'm assuming all the talk and related problems in your area are from it being recently introduced. We started using it here about 2 decades ago, but at that time it was seasonal, its been full time for around half the that time. The subject has recently come up on local boards again because Oregon has now jumped on the 10% blend bandwagon and people there are experiencing the conversion issues. While there are some things or practices that need to changed or adjusted, it really isn't a topic of conversation around here (in WA) and none of my boating buddies ever bring it up unless prompted by someone that's new to it and is hearing all of the horror stories.

Like I've said before, I don't like the blends and would rather not use them, but they're here and not going away, so I just live with it. I use none of the additives and don't really know anybody that does.

 

[nova449]

Re: ethanol gas

Re: ethanol gas

the issue with ethanol added to fuel, the ethanol monocles will not bind with the oil molecule, to over come this use synthetic oils the molecules do bind together.
There was a statement about better fuel MPG this cant happen because ethanol has a much lower BTU'S than gas, the fuel manufactures are just improving their profit margin by adding low cost ethanol at max of 10% to each gallon of gas, just think how much they can make if it cost them half of what it cost to make gas.
Ethanol do have some good side effects it does help keep the varnish cleaned out of you fuel delivery system.
If your having a water issue use Sea Foam it suspends water and is carried to your fuel separator this will keep fuel tank of molds and moss. Other fuel additives contain alcohols and this causes water to accumulate on bottom of fuel tank
when it gets hot the water will evaporate and collect to the top of tank and cause over time moss and molds to grow and rust.

 

[cr2k]

Re: ethenol gas

You may think some stations don't have ethanol in their fuel but you would most likely be wrong since they are not required to post anything under 10%.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: ethenol gas

Gas Shock is the product name and they also make Diesel Shock. The main issue we have here (and have always had) is that most boats sit for long periods of time. That's when we see fuel issues, ethanol or not. The ethanol attracts water and boat tanks are vented to atmosphere. When the fuel sits it goes into phase seperation and the water and ethanol goes to the bottom of the tank. Then when you start the motor all the bad stuff gets into the system first. Now the motor is not seeing 10% ethanol but 80% to 100%. Naturally it doesn't help when it's hot out either.

 

[ugadawg187]

Re: ethenol gas

Ive been told to run atleast a mid grade gas (89 octane) in my outboard cause the ethanol is playing hell on them now. In addition should i run a can of sea foam & a ethanol gas treatment with every tank? Ive used sea foam & sta bil since ive owned my boat but not because of the ethanol.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: ethenol gas

Generally speaking most recreational outboards are designed to use 87 octane. The non-ethanol fuel (recreational fuel) around here is 90 octane. Fuel that will become E-10 fuel is made at 84 octane, they rely on ethanol to make the other 3 octane once it's added.

Just food for thought.......

 

[Expidia]

Re: ethenol gas

I use a 10 Micron Raycor filter anyway. Cheap insurance (about $62 for the setup).

Catches water and dirt. I hate filling up at Marinas especially the seedy looking ones. But when you are low on gas you have no choice.

So I put the Raycor on before I even started my new outboard 3 years ago.

Has a clear bowl so you can see if you caught water from a bad fill up.

This is the one I bought:

http://www.marinenutz.com/products/Racor-%2d-Fuel-Filter{47}Water-Sep.-25-GPH-10-Micron.html

iboats might carry them too!

 

[Pas Bon]

Re: ethenol gas

My Yamaha 115 4 stroke has a very similiar filter already on it. It has a red float at the bottom that will rise if there is water in the filter. Why would I need to add a second filter?

 

[Expidia]

Re: ethenol gas

My Yamaha 115 4 stroke has a very similiar filter already on it. It has a red float at the bottom that will rise if there is water in the filter. Why would I need to add a second filter?

I can't comment on your Yamaha filter because I don't know how many microns it filters in size. If it's there to filter out water then you are probably OK.

I know when the ethanol issue was big a few years ago as it was mostly due to breaking down the epoxy used in the manufactuering process in some older fiberglass tanks, many boat owners went to the 10 micron size filter.

My Brother in law who has been boating for 50 years told me about that Racor filter and told me to put one on before I even start the outboard. I did and have never had a hicup from my outboard and I put on about 150 hours a season and am forced to fill up at some shabby looking marinas from time to time.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: ethenol gas

Our BP stations in the Florida panhandle advertise ethanol free gas...the boaters line up every weekend!

Happy boating!