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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Ethanol in Gasoline

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jesse camp
1st Mate

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USA
84 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/07/2008 : 10:49:46

Hello 25/250 Fans,
Here in Florida un-Ethanoled Gasoline is getting scarce. I am wondering if this E-10 will damage or causee additional maintenace/stabilizers for my 1996 four stroke Mariner 9.9hp or my 1986 4 hp Suzuki 2 stroke. I usually use mid-Grade 93 octane on my outboards.

Any suggestions or comments.
Best Regards,

Jesse Camp
Orlando, Fl 87 25 5550 SK SR

Jesse Camp

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2008 : 11:51:26

Hi Jesse! Sorry to hear... I could say a bunch here, but Search on Ethanol and I think you'll get an eyeful.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2008 : 20:49:09

I'm not an expert, but I've heard that the only problems that have been occurring is where people have fiberglass tanks.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2008 : 22:13:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Champipple
 I'm not an expert, but I've heard that the only problems that have been occurring is where people have fiberglass tanks.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">WRONG-O! Those are just the ugliest problems--virtually totalling some big cabin cruisers by requiring re-powering and ripping out of decks and tanks. Water is probably the widest-spread problem, followed by deteriorating fuel lines and other components, and rapidly deteriorating gasoline quality and octane, which is less noticeable but still insidious. Honda says stabilize every tank of gas.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3754 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 00:17:04

I think you will find that e-10 is not such a big issue. The higher concentrations can be significant problems, but not for engines. Engine problems are secondary to the tank issues and downstream contamination, not really a problem with our little steel or poly tanks. When they took the lead out, doomsayers showed burned valves and holed pistons and proclaimed the death of the gas engine and every engine failure was blamed on unleaded gas. Be careful of knee jerk responses to change, no matter how authoritative they seem, be sure your tank is clean, and use a filter/water separator as you should have been all along. You can't really stop the change to ethanol blends, so learn to live with it.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 09:21:14

A few years ago, a fellow sailor at my marina suddenly started having very frustrating on and off problems with his Honda outboard that resulted in a couple of visits to the shop where they couldn't find anything wrong. After he started using Stabil religiously with every tank of gas, his problems went away.

Even though I've never had any problems with my Merc, since his experience, I use Stabil religiously.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 09:25:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 I think you will find that e-10 is... not really a problem with our little steel or poly tanks... You can't really stop the change to ethanol blends, so learn to live with it.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">It is somewhat corrosive to steel over time--get a plastic tank.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">...and use a filter/water separator as you should have been all along.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Right. ...and gas stabilizer. I have read and been told by mechanics, who are being told by engine manufacturers, that E-10 octane drops below the manufacturers' minimum requirements in less than one month. (Before E-10, it took something four to six.) Call it CYA or "doomsaying", or pick up a little bottle that'll probably last you for several seasons--your choice.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 05/08/2008 09:29:15

willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 11:40:51

One thing I have heard is that carburated motors respond poorly to the ethanol fuel while fuel injected motors fair pretty well.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3754 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 17:48:34

I don't wish to imply that stabilizer is not a good idea, it is good stuff and I buy it by the pint at Lowe's. I don't use it religiously, but I will when I make the jump to a four stroke. I probably use more gas than many of you since I don't just putt out of the marina - its out of the marina, down the river, through the drawbridge, and out the channel before the sails go up.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3369 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2008 : 05:56:29

I use a gas stabilizer everytime I fill up the gas tank for my outboard. I use to use Stabil...actually still use it for seasonal equipment at home (pressure washer, lawnmower). But I have been using that stuff that West marine started selling a couple of years ago or so...believe it is called Startron or something like that. It may it's marketing hype but it seems to have more benefits than Stabil. In any case, I neve rhave problems with seasonal equipment at home and my outboard works fine usually starting on first pull or electric start.

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DanM
Captain

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USA
256 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2008 : 06:31:51

My Nissan 4 stroke is too new to expect problems. I am one of the many that Dave refers to, using 3 gallons or less per season. So I add Stabil to my premium unleaded every time to keep it fresh.
I had fuel lines on two older yardwork engines deteriorate. That's when I learned about Stabil. We have had E-10 in WNY for several years, and I recall they sold it in MA ten years ago.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2008 : 09:19:09

BTW, I said this somewhere else... The new Marina StaBil (green instead of red) appears to me to be the way to go--twice the price per ounce, half the ounces per gallon of gas, and supposedly more corrosion inhibitors, etc. I use it and Startron (which is different stuff), but I'm protecting 10 times the investment.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 05/09/2008 09:20:00

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