NEED FOR AN ETHANOL THREAD

[Salt Life]

Where to get "gas" 100% gasoline
Additives
Fixes
Stories
experiences
4 stroke
2 stroke
Tanks
Tank fixes
HOROR stories
WTF stories
Tips
Filter recomendations
what the shops are saying
Your opinions
your views
what to do
what you have done
" hows your tank "

Just to name a few
WHAT DO YOU THINK ?

[Reel Cowboy]

Keep the tank full and don't let it sit too long. That's all I got.

[Speedy]

Hold on. It may get worse. There's still talk about going from 10% to 15% ethanol.
I personally prefer to run the fuel tank dry because I may go as much as 4 months, maybe more, without using the boat. This way there is less fuel to absorb moisture. I'm still sticking with a 10 micron fuel/water separator. Marine Stabil seems to work good but I've had great success with PRI-G. I've actually added it to old fuel and it's brought it back to life in a usable way. That's my 2 pennies.

[fishinfool]

This is not the first time I have heard about E15. It really disturbs me. The ethanol free gas stations are telling me that ethanol free is almost a thing of the past. There will only be E10 or E15 available everywhere very soon. I have not heard about marinas. Are they exempt?
In the car repair business we are seeing some vehicles that have been sitting for 3 or more months with fuel system problems. I imagine it will get worse.
In automobiles we have been reccomending Techron fuel system treatment in an initial double dose then regular dose for subsequent fill ups. This seems to clean not only the tank and lines but does a good job on the interior of the engine.
I have been using Stabil marine without any fuel problems. Also I only have a 6 gallon tank for my 25hp two stroke so I may not be the best person to be chiming in.
I have used the Yamaha ring free and my second hand outboard engine's performance increased by 2mph. That is a 9% increase in speed for my boat, which I consider well worth the cost. I am not sure if this was due to poor maintenance by the original owner(which is what I suspect) or if Ethanol had a role. All I know is what I am doing is working and I don't plan to change until it is needed.
FF

[jadams92002]

Still not sure about the marinas, but I am trying to find out. My guess is they are not safe either. As on May 1st all gasoline from the terminal level will have ethanol. Things could change between now and then, but it's not looking good.

[Speedy]

Keep in mind that ethanol in fuel is not the only problem. Quality and quantity of fuel additives that are added to the fuel is increasingly diminishing which is making it break down faster. Therefore, stick to a good quality fuel, if possible. Try not to top off the tank every time unless you are planning on using your engine at least twice a month. I have found, in some areas, that fuel purchased today is starting to break down in volatility between 3-4 weeks. The reason I did these test were because of engine rattle (detonation) on acceleration.

[Salt Life]

Ya see .... Ithink there is a need. EVERYONE has questions and it is now a constant concern for boaters. I get great info from other forums ethanol threads . I would like to have a " local" ethanol thread

OK so much for my soap box .... I'll sit down now....
Thank you

[captkeyser]

My buddy is having all his fuel injectors replaced/cleaned. My boat is running horribly and I fear the worst. I am on the water 2 days a week, use Stabil and fill my tank tot he max after each trip. As far as I know I have done everything correctly, but still may need to replace injectors. I have a Yamaha 150 4stroke with 250hrs on it. Have replaced the fuel filters every 80hrs.

My buddy has the exact same motor with 100hrs on it. This is extremely disturbing. My motor is still under warranty but I believe Yamaha is going to put it on the fuel....... we'll see.

[jadams92002]

I am on the water 2 days a week,

You need to run your boat more, with me on it. That’s the problem. Hate to hear you are having trouble.

[captkeyser]

I am on the water 2 days a week,

You need to run your boat more, with me on it. That’s the problem. Hate to hear you are having trouble.

We'll go in the near future for sure good buddy..... especially if you can bring me a tank full of ethanol free fuel. If it ain't one thing it's another. Fishing, what a horrible addiction.

[red_yakker]

A good fuel water seperator is a good idea. The ethanol is most destructive to the engine when mixed with water, that's why it's marine motors that are being hit the hardest. Keeping your tank full, and not letting it sit for more than two weeks is a good idea.

A lot of the problems are caused on older motors that have lots of petroleum gunk built up in the engine from running years and years on petroleum fuel. The ethanol breaks this gunk down, causing it to clog fuel filters, fuel lines etc.... and cause all sorts of internal issues with the engine.

Ethanol is the worst thing you can put into a fiberglass fuel tank. It breaks down the fiberglass, causing many of the same problems described above in addition to damaged seals and fuel lines.

It's supposedly not as bad for 4 strokes as 2 strokes, but all outboards are at higher risk because they are more exposed to the water.

[Ron Wilson]

I've got a full tank of gas, treated with Stabil (ethanol treatment), but it's been sitting for a couple months. I've run it a couple times in the yard, but that's it. Tend to test her this weekend in Keaton. Hope it runs well.