Thread: Ethanol Questions

I was just looking at the Mississippi forum and read a post about ethanol. After reading it, I thought of a few things that I thought I might ask the CDC community:

1. Are gas stations in Louisiana required to post on the pumps whether ethanol is in their gas or not?

2. Does ethanol cause more trouble on older or newer outboards?

3. Are four strokes affected more/less than two strokes?

4. If you really don't run your outboard that much, is there that much damage being done?

Thanks for any input.

Claymc

I can't answer your questions but will add that I had my 150 VMAX serviced last Summer at a dealer. The dealer said to not use the red colored Stabil gas additive. He said that when it mixes with ethanol, it creates small jelatenous beads in the fuel tank. He also said that ethanol will break down the chemical composition of a fiberglass tank over time.

He recommend I use the new Marine formulated Stabil, designed specifically for ethanol blended fuel.

I am finding most of the gas pumps in Arkansas have a lbel indicating a maximum blend of up to 10% ethanol. Not sure if it is a requirement though.

Okay - try this
I do not believe that gas stations in Louisiana are required to post ethonal content, but they do tend to do just that. So...
It would seem that newer engines would be more susceptible to damage from ethonal simply because the older ones used a rich mixture of oil in the gas, but...
Where 'm I at now?
Found it! Okay...
Four-strokes are more susceptible to damage from ethonal than two-strokes, again, because no oil is mixed with the gas. My dealer says don't put ANY ethonal/gas in my 4-stk Merc! She was cute, so so far I am adhering to her wisdom.
And finally, if you only run your motor during the spring spawn and the autumn shoreward movement - or something similar, I would imagine that none of this is relevant. BUT, that's an opinion, not a recommendation!
Me, that 4-stroke Merc of mine is gonna burn what goes into it!
Or it's gonna burn up trying!
Pete

I was reading the same thread yesterday or this morning, Don't really know the answer to any of your questions, but sounds like Ole Pete may be onto something. I read where somewhere that the new marine stabil is supposed to be alot better also.

Everything that I read says that Gasoline is blended with 10% Ethanol. I'm not to sure if they are mandated to put this at the pump but I know I have seen it at certain gas stations. Namely, Wal-mart's Murphy and some of the other cheaper gas stations. I will pay attention to Chevron next time I fill up my truck. I think that it will not harm boat motors. If you were using it day in and day out maybe but most of us don't get to live that lifestyle sadly. I would be more leary if I had an older motor because gummed up deposits could be released and cause a clog in the fuel system at some point. Not to scare anyone its just a possibility. I wouldn't run a higher blend through it. Just my thoughts! Have a great day! One day closer to the weekend!

I think that just about all gasoline supplies today, regardless of brand, contains a percentage of ethanol. According to everything that I've read, you are more likely to have problems with older engines because the gaskets,o-rings, hoses were not designed for ethanol and over a period of time the alcohol will cause them to degrade....."ditto" on the marine grade of Stabil and you can also get fuel stabilizers branded by Mercury, OMC,and probably Yamaha......while none of them are cheap, they are your best form of insurance. Also, try to keep your fuel tanks topped off as much as posible. The ethanol is an attractant of water in your tanks......You can also purchase marine additives that will help keep down the varnish and carbon buildup........one other good investment is a "water seperating" filter to keep the water from ever gettiing into your motor.......the old saying that "You can pay me now, or pay me later" is REALLY True when it comes to outboard motors.

ethanol i was told can lead to condensation in a stored engine which leads to stuck rings I try not to use it unless im going to finish off the fuel. Also told marine stabil combats this, but prob best not to use in outboards at all.......

Ethanol due to its chemical nature is a water scavenger. I didn't think about this downfall. Good goin!