Gas Question.. Fact or False?

[Ricky Bobby]

Why can't you just get gas at the pump? The 4.3 Cobra motor is a ford motor right? Will pump gas really screw up my boat motor? Or is the marina just want to charge you more money for there non-ethanol gasoline and make a few bucks on ya?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

The 4.3 Cobra motor is a ford motor right? Will pump gas really screw up my boat motor?

Nope,... It's a Chevy based motor...
I buy all my gas from a pump...
Ethanol is a Pain, but it'll burn just Fine...

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

As I understand it the Ethanol has a cleaning effect on some boat parts including the tank, fuel lines and carb.
An older boat may experience problems after switching to Ethanol added gas, by changing filters regularly while making the transition and being sure the tank and fuel components will not be affected, you can buy at the auto pump.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

Wait till we go E85 , then you will be forced to by Recreational Fuel for everything other than a auto.
Volvo does not honor ethanol related issues with tanks, hoses, pumps, I`m sure Merc`c not far behind.

 

[jtmarten]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

I've only bought gas from a marina once. If you feel the need buy premium, it's additives will help clean the fuel path. Otherwise, if you have a standard, low compression engine, regular unleaded works fine.

 

[Bama Boater]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

Why can't you just get gas at the pump? The 4.3 Cobra motor is a ford motor right? Will pump gas really screw up my boat motor? Or is the marina just want to charge you more money for there non-ethanol gasoline and make a few bucks on ya?

I don't think the issue is whether it will burn or not. The issue is that ethanol absorbs water which can happen thru the vent (aka "Hygroscopic", meaning the tendency of some materials to absorb moisture from humid air). When that happens and the water bonds with the ethanol, it can sink to the bottom (aka phase seperation). Merc says burning 10% ethanol is not a problem. The issue is the phase seperation.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

These days you have to have a decent fuel/water seperating filter somewhere before your fuel pump...if you don't have one, be sure to get one!

Happy boating!

 

[oldrenken79]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

One of the reasons I keep mine trailered is the price of lake gas vs hitting the Exxon on the way to the water.

I'm not sure where I heard this, but somebody told me that somewhere it's actually illegal to take your boat to a gas station for a fillup!

I dunno... beats trying to pump while it's bobbing.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

I'm not sure where I heard this, but somebody told me that somewhere it's actually illegal to take your boat to a gas station for a fillup!

Whaaaaaat???!

Seriously???

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

I'm not sure where I heard this, but somebody told me that somewhere it's actually illegal to take your boat to a gas station for a fillup!

Ayuh,... Sounds like Bullship to Me....

 

['94Glastron]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

The ethanol is also bad for all your seals and gaskets. It's fine for cars where the fuel spends much of it's time flowing, but in a boat it sits and starts to deteriorate things.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

Wait till we go E85 .

Will never happen. Not enough ethanol as it is right now and we are quickly learning how ridiculous growing corn to produce ethanol is.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

Gas Question.. Fact or False?

FALSE.



Next question............

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

It dosen't matter where you buy the gas but a water separator is your best defense.If you don't have one, get one!

 

[sethjon]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

Regular pump gas is fine. If you have any concerns just use an additive but if you maintain it by changing filters and such the gas station is the place to go.

 

[indy440]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

There is a station a few miles from my house that sells non-ethanol gas for 10-15 cents more than regular gas. I try to always get my boat gas there, its worth the extra 2-3 bucks per tank just for the peace of mind...

 

[bigdaddypt]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

Will never happen. Not enough ethanol as it is right now and we are quickly learning how ridiculous growing corn to produce ethanol is.

the other issue is that the government will never allow it. why you ask? because when they were passing the laws putting 10% ethanol into the fuel, they wanted to put more until it was discovered that boats can't run with more than 10% in it. how many politicians do you think this affected...A LOT!

 

[Philster]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

Jeebus H. Cripes, here's how it works:

"Babe, I gotta take the boat out, ya know... because of ethanol. I don't want old gas in my boat. I told you all about it, babe. I gotta burn off that fuel. What? Well why don't you just take them and I will call Ron and we'll burn some off this weekend. I will fill her up with fresh gas so when you and I go out together for a cruise she'll be running like a top."



Ethanol is your friend. You must burn of all gas in a few days or your boat will be worthless.



Actually, that's good advice. Just burn it all up fast and ethanol probably won't bug you much!

And have a water separator filter and all that.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

The ethanol is also bad for all your seals and gaskets. It's fine for cars where the fuel spends much of it's time flowing, but in a boat it sits and starts to deteriorate things.

Ethanol has been a fixture in most regions of the country for something like 30years. Hoses, seals and gaskets materials were revised to handle it long ago. Virtually NO actual running issues in boats can logically be attributed to ethanol any longer.

People need to stop blaming it for their "running" issues. If your fuel sits around a lot, treat it to prevent phase separation. I do. Otherwise I don't pay any attention to it, and don't experience any issues from it.

My .02

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Gas Question.. Fact or False?

I'm not sure where I heard this, but somebody told me that somewhere it's actually illegal to take your boat to a gas station for a fillup!

That's false.

It may very well be illegal the other way around.

In other words, you are not allowed to fill up your car with fuel from the marina as they do not pay road taxes, etc. Or at least, that's my understanding.