GAS ADDITIVE ETHONOL EATTING GASKETS

[dmarkvid2]

Has anyone had trouble with gas containing Ethonol? The boat machanic told me that it boggs down engines because it plays havic with the carbarator, and fuel filters. And eats away at gaskets and anything made of rubber. Would like any feed back please. Is there another additive that would nutrelize the Ethonol?

 

[ziggy]

Re: GAS ADDITIVE ETHONOL EATTING GASKETS

i don't know about any additive,
but regualar fuel still seems available. w/o ethonol. why not just use that. then there is no issue with it eatin rubber and gaskets and ya won't have to be concerned......

 

[Boomyal]

Re: GAS ADDITIVE ETHONOL EATTING GASKETS

According to an article in the paper, there are some areas that have nothing but ethanol blended gas year round. You do not have much of a choice in those areas, marinas or otherwise.

Apparently the big problem, according to the article, is that full time ethanol is murderous on boats with fiberglass tanks. The alcohol leaches the resins out of the fiberglass and cause a horrible coating on valves, etc, etc,. This of course is a huge problem in bigger boats with embedded tanks. The other issue is the absorbtion of water. Modern automotive tanks are not vented to the atmosphere so they suck very little water out of the air. Boat tanks are all still vented so what ever moisture is in the air, the ethanol grabs.

 

[mmainelli]

Re: GAS ADDITIVE ETHONOL EATTING GASKETS

You're in Connecticuit, which is now completely 90/10 gasohol. Ethanol fuel has about 12 - 15% less BTU/gal than pure gasoline, resulting in performance fall-off. You live with that, or just advance the throttle to get the performance you want. But ethanol is a nasty solvent, pretty much dissolving anything made of rubber (it defeats the vulcanizing and dissolves the rubber, like putting sugar in gasoline), phynolene (connectors, etc). If your fuel lines pre-date say 1995, change them asap, Also, ethanol is a terrific solvent, loosening ALL crud in your tanks. Keep an eye on fuel filters and water separators. Finally, ethanol loves water , grabbing it out of the air in your vented tanks.