Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-15-2014, 11:10 AM   #1
Guru
 
Tony B's Avatar
 
City: Joe Wheeler State Park, Al
Vessel Name: Serenity
Vessel Model: Mainship 36 Dual Cabin -1986
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,251
Ethanol Free Gasoline

Is there a difference in older gasoline engines (1986) whether I use ethanol free gas or the regular stuff.
I'm sure this has been covered before but I'll ask it again for the latest info.

Thanks in advance.
__________________
Cruising the Eastern U.S. Inland Waterways and Gulf Coast. Presently on the ICW in Louisiana and heading Back to Texas.
Tony B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2014, 11:19 AM   #2
Guru
 
City: Carefree, Arizona
Vessel Name: sunchaser V
Vessel Model: DeFever 48 (sold)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,179
Most thirty year old fuel systems will suffer the ill effects of E10 or higher due to rubber parts softening up and losing sealing or metering ability. FRP tanks from that era are also prone to deterioration and flaking thus plugging fuel systems. I'm sure there are plenty of true life stories to come forward, I'm lucky in that my gas outboard engine gets fuel in Canada where E fuels are less common.
sunchaser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2014, 12:59 PM   #3
Moderator Emeritus
 
jwnall's Avatar
 
City: St. Marks, Florida
Vessel Name: Morgan
Vessel Model: Gulfstar 36
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,673
Quote:
Originally Posted by sunchaser View Post
, I'm lucky in that my gas outboard engine gets fuel in Canada where E fuels are less common.
Several of the gas stations in my area (Northern Florida) have a pump for "marine gas" (no ethanol), so I use that for my dinghy outboard and the Yamaha 2000 generator/inverter. Might not be necessary, but can't hurt.
__________________
John
jwnall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2014, 03:37 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
MC Escher's Avatar
 
City: Central Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 151
I know something about this from my experience with automotive engines.

The issue isn't so much the engine itself, which really doesn't care what fuel it burns as long as the fuel has a burn characteristic that is within the engines design parameters. (Compression ration, maximum cylinder pressure, timing, ignition system, etc.)

The issue arises from the fact that unless the entire fuel system was engineered for alcohol, it will tear it up. Older fiberglass tanks, non-synthetic hoses, gaskets/O-rings/sealants in carburetors and fuel injectors... all subject to being destroyed by alcohol.

I have been given to understand that in applications where your fuel sits in your tank for an extended period of time you could run into issues like phase separation and should therefore use fuel stablizers, but then again, you should be using fuel stabilizers in that situation anyway.

Typically, engines and fuel systems built in the last decade can be reasonably presumed to be able to tolerate up to 10% ethanol content, but personally, I would check the owner's manual first. If that wasn't available I would call the manufacturer.


One last thing...
Alcohol is very fond of water. In a high humidity environment it will suck it right out of the air. For this reason alone I personally like to use marine fuel in my boat, not automotive fuel. And that's coming from someone who actually LIKES alcohol fuel. (E85 can be a hot rodder's best friend.)
__________________
If God didn't want me to walk on the grass, he wouldn't have left it on the ground.
MC Escher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2014, 03:44 PM   #5
Guru
 
psneeld's Avatar
 
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,119
The real problem is I know of no additive that prevents phase separation...there are claims by manufacturers but have never seen a 3rd party study to say what additives can prevent it.

Those that say they use additives and have no problems rank right up there with.... I don't have skin cancer because I drink beer....and it has worked my whole life of 60 years.

Marine gasoline in much of the Northeast does contain up to 10% ethanol as of several years ago...as long as you burn off your fuel every few months..it has never been a big deal with inboard engines...the biggest problem I saw towing vessels was Yamaha outboards for the first couple years it was used. However...if you get any free water in your fuel beyond normal atmospheric humidity...you stand a good chance of phase separation.
psneeld is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:02 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012