Ethanol & Marine Fuels

Here is a bulletin from Yamaha, But it pertains to ALL ENGINES, NOT just
Yamahas.

SUBJECTS: Ethanol Fuel Blends – All Model engines.

Ethanol Fuel Blends – All Models

As of spring 2006, most gasoline refiners will switch to ethanol-blended fuels.
This may present a challenge for boat builders, dealers, and boaters in the
months ahead. Until recently, refiners have primarily used the chemical MTBE
(Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) as an additive "to oxygenate" fuel, thereby,
reducing emissions. Unfortunately, the chemical has been associated with ground
water pollution. As a result, most refineries have chosen to remove it from
their blends. Using ethanol in place of MTBE solves the ground water issue,
since ethanol has a very short life in the environment before it is broken down
chemically by nature.

Properties

Both consumers and those in the boating industry should be aware of the
following characteristics of ethanol, even when blended in ratios of as little
as 10 percent:

1. Ethanol attracts and absorbs moisture from the air. That means boaters will
likely face more fuel contamination issues from water absorbed through their
fuel tank vents.

2. Ethanol can dissolve some solid materials (e.g., varnish or even oxidation in
steel and aluminum tanks) commonly found in fuel tanks, thereby contaminating
the fuel. Additionally, it can loosen any corrosion or particulate matter in the
fuel sys-tem.

3. In some cases, ethanol has been known to dissolve components of the fuel
system itself (e.g., fiberglass fuel tanks). However, modern fuel hose is made
to withstand the effects of ethanol exposure.

4. Ethanol blends can react chemically with MTBE fuel blends, causing additional
contamination.

Recommendations:

Fuel blends using as much as 10 percent ethanol are appropriate for use in all
of Yamaha’s current outboard models. Yamaha does not recommend the use of fuels
with higher concentrations of ethanol (e.g., E85, which contains 85 percent
ethanol) or any other fuel blend that contains more than 10 percent ethanol. In
addition,

Yamaha recommends boat builder partners and boaters (as applicable) take the
following steps to mitigate the potential impact of ethanol in motor fuel:

1. Use fuel system components that are compatible with ethanol blends or replace
those in use that are not compatible (e.g., fiberglass fuel tanks).

2. Avoid co-mingling MTBE and ethanol-blended fuels. As a precaution, boaters
should be advised to use only one supplier for fuel purchases in the months
ahead to ensure constancy during the industry changeover period from MTBE to
ethanol blends.

3. Install a Yamaha mini-10™ filter or 10-Micron filter. The 10-Micron filter is
designed for use on boats with Yamaha outboards. The smaller mini-10 is designed
for smaller boats with engines 115hp and under. Both Yamaha products filter out
contami-nants and separate water from fuel. The mini-10 features an aluminum
head and is made from coated steel inside and painted steel outside to combat
corrosion. The 10-Micron filter features either an aluminum or stainless steel
head and is also made from coated interior and painted exterior steel. Both meet
all U.S. Coast Guard and ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) standards. (This
filter will work on other engines besides Yamaha call the service department for
details)

4. Consumers should be encouraged to carry spare filter cartridges in the event
the filter element becomes clogged with contaminants while the outboard is in
use.

Related Considerations:

All Yamaha products, rigging, accessories and parts, including Yamalube
lubricants and fuel stabilizers are compatible with fuel blends using up to 10
percent ethanol.

Here are a couple suggestions:

1.You should run as much of the old fuel out of your tank as possible (with out
running out) before putting the Ethanol fuel in your tank. You should not mix
the two.

2.When you start using the Ethanol Fuel you should install a 10 Micron fuel
filter.

3. The fuel filter should be changed every 50 hours.

4. Carry an extra fuel filter with you on the boat.

There's more info on it here too Bill.
http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripertalk/showthread.php?t=33241&highlight=Ethanol

Good post!

Txs Bill.

In MA, most gas stations switched over in May of this year. It would have been nice if Yamaha posted this information back then vs waiting for the end of the boating season.

Related, I just got my boat back from the shop. Diagnosis - clogged fuel injectors. Until this year, the only solution was to replace these (4 in my 150) at a pretty hefty price. This year they started cleaning them at $50 per. Even though my boat is back and is running great, it took multiple phone calls to Yamaha by the marine shop and myself to ensure this was covered under warranty. My engine was only 1 year old with 6-7 months of use on it.

Problems to watch out for;

1. after a couple of minutes idling the engine would surge a few times then die - clogged injectors were limiting gas intake.

2. unfortunately this happened 2 weeks ago out at Stellwagon SWC, when I gave the engine throttle, the boat would pick up on plane and w/i 2 seconds throttle itself back down. WOT for my boat is usually ~35 knots, this particular day it ranged from 7 - 19 w/o adjusting throttle, a very unsettling feeling - the engine's computer system was trying to compensate for the clogged injectors and was getting all screwed up, it is also believe that some of the debris was floating therefore affecting multiple injectors at different times.

Happy ending since Yamaha covered cleaning and I used the boat friday, sat and sun for a combined 30 hrs and she ran like a champ!

Not sure about Yamaha, but suzuki has what to do about the ethanol right in their user manual... 05-06 models
Also I've found that the dealers are pretty well educated on the ethanol problems so they might be a good source to ask about "real world" issues. I ask alot of questons... probably to the point of annoyance with them.. but that what they get paid for i guess.

ive had over 150 trouble free hours with the ethanol blend. i hope it stays that way :)

WTF // more idle time


WGAF // just run the M/F .er


nar /F/I its not worth going on >>>>>>>>>>:rocketem:

1. after a couple of minutes idling the engine would surge a few times then die - clogged injectors were limiting gas intake.

2. unfortunately this happened 2 weeks ago out at Stellwagon SWC, when I gave the engine throttle, the boat would pick up on plane and w/i 2 seconds throttle itself back down. WOT for my boat is usually ~35 knots, this particular day it ranged from 7 - 19 w/o adjusting throttle, a very unsettling feeling - the engine's computer system was trying to compensate for the clogged injectors and was getting all screwed up, it is also believe that some of the debris was floating therefore affecting multiple injectors at different times.


this is exactly what my engine is doing....i have a 9.9 to go on a 11 ft aluminum, ive been :whackin: for awhile now trying to figure out what the hell is going on. this gives me new ideas, i think some maintenance is in order this weekend....where can i get these filters? direct from yamaha?

oh chit- i just mixed a half tank of old gas with the new suff.... this should be interesting :(

this is exactly what my engine is doing....i have a 9.9 to go on a 11 ft aluminum, ive been :whackin: for awhile now trying to figure out what the hell is going on. this gives me new ideas, i think some maintenance is in order this weekend....where can i get these filters? direct from Yamaha?

On the 9.9 take the screw off the side of the carburetor bowl and spray some carb cleaner in it. Than pump the ball until clean gas comes out. Throw some Startron into a fresh tank of gas and give it a try. I have done this to at least 20 boats this year.

Check those filters!! I can't tell you how many folks I know have had engine problems this season and the source was all fuel and fuel filter issues.

I would change the filter every 50 hours to feel comfortable. That is a lot, and they should last a lot longer but one batch of funky fuel and your hosed. Nothing like getting stuck in an ugly spot in a raging current or sea and have your engine start gagging.

Just yesterday a friend called saying he thinks his engine crapped out it sounded terrible and had no power in gear and he was thinking about repowering. He was moaning after replacing the prop and talking to the (suzuki) mechanic who said it didn't sound good and he could get to it in a few days. I asked him if it stalled or coughed at idle? and he said yes and it never does that...I said take off all the filters starting at the racor and dump it out and look inside. Later that day I got a phone call from a happy fishermen...it was full of water and gunk and he "fixed" the problem for less then 100 bucks. My advice was

A) change the filter every 50 hours
B) buy MARINE gas at a decent place, stay away from discount fuel places. (they get discount fuel because they purchase the dregs from the bardge after all the premium stations buy the stuff off the top)

I learned the hard way. Buy quality and use what the manufacture says to for additives. (ringfree, drygas or whatever)

The Yamaha dealer actually took off my racor and put on a Yamaha filter for warrenty issues (similar specs but they don't have a drain port) I was PO'ed but they said if your engine blows and you don't have this filter on they will balk at warrenty repair.