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Ethanol fuel question
- Thread starter fastguy91
- Start date
OHB,
He is running on 25 YO tanks that are open to the elements. The ethanol may dislodge whatever gunk is plugging the about to happen leak.
If access is reasonable, replacement is warranted and probably cheaper in the long run.
I disagree about the negative effects of ethanol.
He is running on 25 YO tanks that are open to the elements. The ethanol may dislodge whatever gunk is plugging the about to happen leak.
If access is reasonable, replacement is warranted and probably cheaper in the long run.
I disagree about the negative effects of ethanol.
quote:
Originally posted by SCORPIO
Is the OP referring to E85 by chance? I've seen it at gas stations and it "appears" cheaper per gallon, but it has much less energy capacity per gallon so it isn't really any cheaper.
The energy capacity of E85 should be about 4.5% less than pure gas. If E85 is 5% less in price it will provide more energy per dollar than pure gas.
From my understanding, E10 is safe for boats made in the past 20 years. E15 may present problems for boats that old.
While some owners of boats had issues with E10 that has sat for year(s) unstabilized, a vast majority of boats do not have any issue with E10.
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quote:
Originally posted by OLD HOUSEBOATER
Would bet that the 4.79 fuel in your marina contains 10% ethanol.
The bare fact is, MOST people have NOT had a problem with ethanol.
Clean out your tanks, change out your soft fuel lines and change fuel filter elements as necessary.
What are you smoking? The first 1-2 years after ethanol was introduced in the Northeast boat yards were slammed with ethanol related repairs. Everything from re-powers to complete fuel system replacements.
I myself paid 5K in ethanol related repairs.
Agree with ITK. I've seen lots of boats with fuel related problems surface after ethanol introduced 2 to 3 years ago. I think the O.P is not thinking right about ethanol and problems are likely in that boat if the fuel system hasn't been meticulously maintained once ethanol is introduced if he isn't using it already.
For a moment consider the BIG PICTURE. I have been trying to track this entire "methanol thing" since it first came out of some bureaucrat's Washington office.
I have made up my mind.
A senseless boondogle thrust on an unsuspecting public.
I have made up my mind.
A senseless boondogle thrust on an unsuspecting public.
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- Jun 23, 2002
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Ok, lets ask these questions.
Do you have ethanol free fuel available in your boating area? Do you use it? If so where do you get it (be specific). How much is it per gallon.
I am 71 years old and have worked on boats since I was 14.
History:
Forever to date - Stale gas causes varnish build up in fuel system components. Resulting in poor running conditions, and over time, requiring servicing of fuel system components due to engine performance issues.
Forever to date - Moisture building up in bottom of fuel tanks, due to lack of use and/or leaks from top of tank and NOT being sucked off periodically. This results in rapid/immediate shut down of engines due to water being picked up when angle of boat changes and water/crap on the bottom of tank is picked up when pickup tube is submerged in water.
Introduction of ethanol based fuels - This fuel accented the problems of the above. The solvent action loosened and dissolved the crap that existed and built up over the years and plugged up a lot of fuel systems. This was the first shot. The second was that it gradually attacked some fuel system soft components causing replacement issues. A few people with fiberglass fuel tanks were also affected. The people with the "dock Queens" and those that had crap and water in their tanks, to begin with, were the first and hardest hit.
The average boater that used his/her boat a lot, really didn't have problems. On older boats, as time went on, filters became plugged more often due to fuel line deterioration. On newer boats problems never occurred.
Today - Most boaters are aware of the fact that watercraft fuel systems require more maintenance than their cars and trucks. Today the problems are mostly behind us. If Fastguy91, with the 1986 boat, cleans his system and replaces the soft lines he won't have any problems.
The best preventive maintenance is to use the boat often, try to turn over your fuel at least every 4 months minimum, maintain your fuel filters. A water separator is a good idea.
The truth is - once your system is clean the ethanol fuels actually help to keep it clean. In a boat that is used regularly the varnishing problems of the past are mostly gone. For the modern fuel injected engines the ethanol fuel is actually a benefit.
This fuel is real, get used to it. If you have pure gas available now, plan on it going away in the near future.
Your thoughts.
Do you have ethanol free fuel available in your boating area? Do you use it? If so where do you get it (be specific). How much is it per gallon.
I am 71 years old and have worked on boats since I was 14.
History:
Forever to date - Stale gas causes varnish build up in fuel system components. Resulting in poor running conditions, and over time, requiring servicing of fuel system components due to engine performance issues.
Forever to date - Moisture building up in bottom of fuel tanks, due to lack of use and/or leaks from top of tank and NOT being sucked off periodically. This results in rapid/immediate shut down of engines due to water being picked up when angle of boat changes and water/crap on the bottom of tank is picked up when pickup tube is submerged in water.
Introduction of ethanol based fuels - This fuel accented the problems of the above. The solvent action loosened and dissolved the crap that existed and built up over the years and plugged up a lot of fuel systems. This was the first shot. The second was that it gradually attacked some fuel system soft components causing replacement issues. A few people with fiberglass fuel tanks were also affected. The people with the "dock Queens" and those that had crap and water in their tanks, to begin with, were the first and hardest hit.
The average boater that used his/her boat a lot, really didn't have problems. On older boats, as time went on, filters became plugged more often due to fuel line deterioration. On newer boats problems never occurred.
Today - Most boaters are aware of the fact that watercraft fuel systems require more maintenance than their cars and trucks. Today the problems are mostly behind us. If Fastguy91, with the 1986 boat, cleans his system and replaces the soft lines he won't have any problems.
The best preventive maintenance is to use the boat often, try to turn over your fuel at least every 4 months minimum, maintain your fuel filters. A water separator is a good idea.
The truth is - once your system is clean the ethanol fuels actually help to keep it clean. In a boat that is used regularly the varnishing problems of the past are mostly gone. For the modern fuel injected engines the ethanol fuel is actually a benefit.
This fuel is real, get used to it. If you have pure gas available now, plan on it going away in the near future.
Your thoughts.
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My thoughts? For sure using the boat is the answer to ethanol, but my case does not support the theory.
My boat that had ethanol issues was a 2001 and on average, I put on 1,500 - 2,000(not a typo) hours a year. Still when we had ethanol forced won our throat, that crap still flushed my system and got through not one, not two, but three filtering systems of fuel.
To say that problems are behind us is only true if all boats are running ethanol gas. If the op has never run ethanol fuel, his problems are in front of him and is best learning from those os us that broke fingers, bled knuckles, dropped tools over board, and wrote large checks fixing the issue.
My boat that had ethanol issues was a 2001 and on average, I put on 1,500 - 2,000(not a typo) hours a year. Still when we had ethanol forced won our throat, that crap still flushed my system and got through not one, not two, but three filtering systems of fuel.
To say that problems are behind us is only true if all boats are running ethanol gas. If the op has never run ethanol fuel, his problems are in front of him and is best learning from those os us that broke fingers, bled knuckles, dropped tools over board, and wrote large checks fixing the issue.
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2002
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- 9099
- Messages
- 1,089
Correct me if i'm wrong.
You have early, modern fuel injected engines.
You probably had varnish problems. (Most filters WON'T help prevent or filter out chemically desolved varnish).
Note: Too many filters, in a row, can cause flow restriction problems and affect maximum performance.
Now that your system is clean, you maintain it and no longer have problems.
You have early, modern fuel injected engines.
You probably had varnish problems. (Most filters WON'T help prevent or filter out chemically desolved varnish).
Note: Too many filters, in a row, can cause flow restriction problems and affect maximum performance.
Now that your system is clean, you maintain it and no longer have problems.
Thanks Old Houseboater. As I was planning on flushing the tanks, replacing the fuel lines and just had my carbs rebuilt it looks like I should be fine. I do have ethanol free fuel at the marina but at $4.76/gal ethanol fuel at $3.65/gal is looking like a bargain. I used my past boats alot and will likely have to fill it monthly. Ethsnol is coming whether we like it or not. I am just planning ahead. Thanks again