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New Fuel Option?

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4321 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/18/2016 : 21:49:47

Saw this on another site.

First Isobutanol-Blended Fueling Station In Texas Jean Junker

An intersting article appeared recently in the Boats US Magazine about a new alternative to Ethanol based fuels like E10 which many boaters avoid using in their outboard engines. What follows was taken from an article in the December 2015 Boats U.S. Magazine.

This Summer, an Express Lube Station in Fredricksburg, Texas, became the first U.S. service station to sell Gevo�s (www.gevo.com) isobutanol-blended gasoline. Isobutanol, like Ethanol, is an organic fossils-fuel alternative that is blended with refined gasolines. Isobutanol, unlike Ethanol, has been extensively tested in marine engines with positive results.

Proponents of isobutanol fuels tout the new blended gasoline because of its moisture resistance and capacity to reduce engine corrosion are ideal for equipment and vehicles that are used intermittently.

Further Reading: Searching for �isobutanol fuel� will locate several articles about this alternative to Ethanol mixed fuels.

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GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

Edited by - GaryB on 01/18/2016 21:51:13

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2016 : 04:25:46

I and several friends use aviation fuel in their seldom used gas engines with great success. It is 100LL and can be purchased at most small airports. It is very stable and remains stable when stored for long periods of time. I use Jet A in my boats diesel engine. About 3 gallons a year.

1988 WK/SR w/inboard diesel Joe Pool Lake
Hobie 18 Lake Worth

Life is not a dress rehearsal. You will not get another chance.

DavidBuoy
Admiral

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USA
707 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2016 : 06:07:00

quote:
Originally posted by hewebb

I and several friends use aviation fuel in their seldom used gas engines with great success. It is 100LL and can be purchased at most small airports. It is very stable and remains stable when stored for long periods of time. I use Jet A in my boats diesel engine. About 3 gallons a year.

I filled up with the 100LL a while back thinking it would be a great idea. Ended up causing the motor to run way to hot. Could smell it and the plug showed it. Too much octane. Went back to standard pump gas with some treatment in it.

Captain Rob & Admiral Alyson
"David Buoy"-1985 C25 SK/SR #5053

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5932 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2016 : 07:10:51

I think a splash of avgas in an empty fuel tank at the end of the season would be one way to winterize a small engine, because it is ethanol free. Run the engine for 5-10 minutes to get it into the fuel system, and then remove the fuel hose and let the engine run until it runs out of gas. In the spring, I'd fill the tank with regular, fresh ethanol mixed fuel, and run it on that all summer. If you can clear the ethanol out of the fuel system, there will be much less likelihood of clogging the jets.

A better way would be to use 87 octane ethanol free gasoline, if it's available in your area, but it's a little hard to find. Lowes sells TRUFUEL Ethanol Free Fuel. It's shelved near their small lawn mowers. I saw about a quart size at my local Lowes for $6 or 7, which is enough to winterize a small engine. That might seem a little pricey for only a quart of gas, but the last time I had a gummed up outboard engine cleaned, it cost over $200.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2016 : 19:30:54

I know there are lots of magic winterizing approaches, but running the fuel out has worked for me for 4 decades, even back in the 2 stroke days. Gasoline can be stable for a long time when COMPLETELY sealed, but our fuel systems aren't sealed and gas slowly oxidizes to gum and varnish and ETOH does its evil. AV gas is no different. A double dose of stabilizer, as recommended by a number of small power equipment manufacturers, will normally give you 90 and maybe 120 days of safe storage. The only reason that isobutane, made from waste instead of food, isn't the bio-fuel of choice are the ETOH and farm lobbies. The only reason that the EPA did the E-15 fiasco was that the with the lobbyists helps the law established a specific minimum volume of ETOH be used annually. The EPA has to write rules in compliance with the law

Dave B. aboard Pearl
1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399
Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle

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