fuel-water separators/fuel filters and ethanol

[fishingdan]

Someone was telling me yesterday that there may be a need for ethanol friendly version of these components. <br /><br />I am well aware of the impact to fiberglass fuel tanks, but this is the first I have heard any issue related to filers. <br /><br />Can anyone comment?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: fuel-water separators/fuel filters and ethanol

The filter issue with ethanol is that the ethanol in blended fuel is a good solvent and will loosen lots of crud which obviously gets stuck in the filter. If some small particles make their way through the filter they can get stuck in carb/injectors. Not much of a problem on newer engines as they are designed to run on blended fuel. The problem occurs mainly with older boats and engines where father time has allowed the build up of varnish and crud. Once the system is cleaned up and any carb rebuilds done, the engine will live happily.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: fuel-water separators/fuel filters and ethanol

actually its worse than that, most water/fuel seperators are of the 24 to 30 micron size. the gooy crap that ethanol/water form with gas will pass through them but not the fuel bowls or especially the 10 micron filters found on the injectors.it also does not help that as the ethanol/water gets heated/cooled by fuel pump compression and contact with the fuel bowl the water tends to drop out. <br /> in small amounts its normally a non issue,especially with sealed tanks. in 50 gallon + unsealed tanks its an issue sometimes.<br /> so far I am making good money on it but have no good solution.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: fuel-water separators/fuel filters and ethanol

Rodbolt,<br /><br />Interesting comments about alcohol/water solutions, molecule size and going into and out of solution.<br /><br />I have been of the conviction that fuel filter strainers (at least the ones mounted in the engines) have small enough openings that they allow fuel/oil molecules to pass but are too small for water molecules.<br /><br />Never thought about alkie/water mix (jelly).<br /><br />Deciphering that will give me something to do when I get bored. I am concerned about the answer (as I mentioned before) ethanol is moving into our fuel market down here and I am trying to prepare for it.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Mark

 

[Silvertip]

Re: fuel-water separators/fuel filters and ethanol

As Rodbolt mentioned -- its apparently an issue with larger tanks. We simply don't have any issues here in the midwest other than reviving older boats and engines that have sat with crud in them for extended periods.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: fuel-water separators/fuel filters and ethanol

10-4 Thanks,<br /><br />Mark

 

[Scaaty]

Re: fuel-water separators/fuel filters and ethanol

Originally posted by rodbolt:<br /> actually its worse than that, most water/fuel seperators are of the 24 to 30 micron size. the gooy crap that ethanol/water form with gas will pass through them but not the fuel bowls

Not seeing it up close (think ya can get a pic of the goo?), I cannot fathom how gooey crap can get through a filter, but get hung up in the float bowl. Talking carbs here. I'm (like usual) in the fog here.