Ethanol problems - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Salmix · 05-31-2007, 07:06 PM

I'm surprised I don't see many posts about the ethanol they are putting in gas. My boat is in Delaware any many people are having problems with the new gas. I've had the gas pump replaced so far and I don't think I'm out of the woods yet. The boat is in the water and running but for how long. I was hoping someone could help me with what I should do to minimize any future problems. I have a 1997 175HP Johnson outboard. I put an inline fuel filter in and I can see some gel in the filter. From doing some research online this seems to be from combining the old gas with the new gas (w/ ethanol). Do I need to empty my take or can I run the take until it is empty and replace the gas filter a couple of times? Should I add a fuel/water separator? Any help on this subject would be appreciated. Thanks.

Salmix · 05-31-2007, 07:25 PM

Well now that I've properly searched the site I've found a bunch of posts about ethanol which I expected too see. I will read on but any new info is still appreciated.

Thanks

Raider Ronnie · 05-31-2007, 08:31 PM

Best way to avoid problems with ethanol/gas
Use the boat lots more !!!
Biggest problem with the 10% ethanol gas, is sitting for long periods of time creating / absorbing water.

MTC · 05-31-2007, 08:51 PM

STARTRON and lots of it!

Van · 05-31-2007, 08:56 PM

No issues so far. Left the tank near MT over the winter.
Filled her with premium before splashing.

beamie · 05-31-2007, 09:56 PM

Well,

This weekend I am installing a temporary plastic tank in my cockpit, 28 Gallons to get me buy this season. Next winter it is cut the floor out and remove my 2 30 gal fiberglass tanks.

Best to play it safe and not distroy my engine.

MrHunters · 06-01-2007, 06:41 AM

i agree with RR. Use it or lose it. Worst thing to do with this gas is let it sit. and make sure you have a water separator in line.

im more p o'd that it seems your burn through the gas way faster with the 10E

fishsmith · 06-01-2007, 06:53 AM

I agree with Ron and MrHunters, use it or lose it, but that has always been the key to outboards.
Knock on wood the boats I've been playing on haven't seen an issue, but changing the filter frequently is a must.

InTheHole · 06-01-2007, 08:39 AM

I'm with MTC, Startron. I started using it at the start of last season and mixed it when I added 80 gallons of new gas (E10) with the 120 already in the boat from the previous season and had no problems. I did drain both tanks this winter and put fresh gas in this spring and changed all the filters, I have not splashed yet but both engines run fine in the yard.

zacs · 06-01-2007, 02:15 PM

i am laid up with fuel problems right now. don't know what it is yet, but I have a feeling I have been stung by the e10 wasp.

SO IF ANYONE WANTS TO TAKE ME ON THERE BOAT PLEASE PM.

Sweetwater · 06-01-2007, 02:26 PM

Problems with ethanol seem to be related to older boats (that may have some sludge in the gas tank) or with boats with fiberglass tanks (ethanol eats the fiberglass). Ethanol works like a solvent and will clean/remove any residual dirt or grime in the tank and suspend it in the fuel, this is a problem. If you have to have the tank complete drained and cleaned, that is a pain...but its one we all just have to live with.

I have a water/fuel separator with a plastic (see through) bottom and valve so I can drain out any water that appears, that helps. Definitely burn as much fuel as possible before refueling to keep the fuel fresh. Warning: some people add "dry gas" but that only makes matters worse in the long run since "dry gas" and similar is ethanol. Also, Stabil (and similar) seem to do little to help preserve E10 fuel over the winter.

zacs · 06-01-2007, 02:44 PM

my boat is an '06, but motor is an '00.

Not all ethanol problems are water/fiberglass/gunk related.

I am being told it is also eating fuel lines and seals/gaskets, like in the fuel pump. I think that is what happened to me, i will hopefully know very soon, boat finally went to the shop today.

Wood Boat & Motor in Warwick. They seem like good guys.

MrHunters · 06-01-2007, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetwater

Problems with ethanol seem to be related to older boats

i dont think the boats care what you use.

Nebe · 06-02-2007, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zacs

my boat is an '06, but motor is an '00.

Not all ethanol problems are water/fiberglass/gunk related.

I am being told it is also eating fuel lines and seals/gaskets, like in the fuel pump. I think that is what happened to me, i will hopefully know very soon, boat finally went to the shop today.

Wood Boat & Motor in Warwick. They seem like good guys.

this new gas destroyed my 71 super beetle last summer. In a nutshell i have to replace my fuel tank, the lines going back to the engine, fuel filter, and fuel pump, then rebuild the carbs. I'll probably do it all myself this summer at some point.

Salmix · 06-04-2007, 05:26 PM

If I use the Startron, can avoid empting my fuel tank? My tank is plastic. I don't see many deposits in my fuel filter other than the gel that I understand is from mixing the two fuels.

Thanks for the posts.

TheSpecialist · 06-04-2007, 06:57 PM

I made sure I ran all of the pre ehtanol fuel out of my tank. After all I read all over the internet I did not want to take a chance on mixing the two. I would do the same again. Get rid of the gas, clean the tank, and refill it.