Post by Bill Hall on May 14, 2012 12:06:25 GMT -6
Bass Fishing World » Outboard Motors » Further ethanol info.....
Author Post
rudetech1
Member
Offline
551 posts [100%]
Houston Tx
Further ethanol info..... 11:42 AM 2/12/2009 Reply Edit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A lot of outboards have been coming in lately with severe fuel hose and filter issues. The hoses are being eaten from ethanol sitting in the fuel tanks and seperating out after even a short period of time. Some of the ethanol numbers we have been seeing are in the 15%-25% range. This does NOT mean the fuel station gave you the fuel that way. It does mean ,however, that the fuel may not have been mixed with conditioner when put into the tank. So when the engine was started, the "phase seperated fuel" was at the bottom of the tank and that is what the engine was trying to run off of. Phase seperation means that the moisture level reached just .49% over the total volume of the fuel. This causes the ethanol to mix heavily with the water and be pulled by gravity to the bottom of the tank. This fuel is no good!!!! Dispose of any fuel" in a responsible manner" before trying to run it in your engine if it appears to be seperated,cloudy,dark yellow. Ethanol fuel is for the most part "CLEAR"like most refined alcohol productes.Check the vent hoses on the tank. Check the fill hose on the boat. Check the fuel hose to the engine and the fittings and primer hoses. If they are hard,cracked,bulged, blistered, or leaking. REPLACE THEM! To check your fuel, use a glass container, pull a sample out of the tank and check the color or condition. YOU MUST BE CAREFUL!!! It is gasoline, if it explodes, it WILL burn you. If you have not ever done this or are unsure how to check it, have a QUALIFIED person do it for you. A stray spark will light up your world so if you are the kind of person who cannot operate a yard rake, DON"T DO IT. Bad fuel is causing more powerhead failures in the boating industry than any other single issue out there. We preach daily on FILTERS<FILTERS<FILTERS!!!! You need to keep the boat filters and the engine filters changed. Don't just say "I'll do it on the next trip!", you may not get another trip out of the engine!!!! If you are unsure if water is in the fuel, mix just a tad of out board oil in the fuel sample.This will further help to displace the water out of the fuel and put a little color back into the cosolvents. The water may not be visible in good clean ethanol due to the fact that they mix Really Well!!! Good luck and good boating.
Bill Hall
Let's go fishing
Offline
14891 posts [100%]
Weatherford TX
Re: Further ethanol info..... (rudetech1) » 3:29 PM 2/12/2009 Reply Edit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glad I installed a water separator/filter on my boat now
Thanks Steven for the great advice
any good additives that can help with the fuel stabilization
www.billandnanda.com
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. Albert Einstein
rudetech1
Member
Offline
551 posts [100%]
Houston Tx
Re: Further ethanol info..... (Bill Hall) » 5:40 PM 2/12/2009 Reply Edit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any fuel stabilizer that does NOT use an ethanol base is good. Name brands, Yamaha,Suzuki,BRP, Merc are ok. Stabil Marine formula works good. These use an isopropyl base, so you are not adding more ethanol. Mix as directed! DO NOT OVERMIX! Too much can have adverse affects on the fuel system.
Dkees
Wide Open
Offline
3731 posts [100%]
Katy TX
Re: Further ethanol info..... (rudetech1) » 11:42 PM 2/12/2009 Reply Edit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've also heard recently that most of us getting our boat gas out of town in those "non-ethanol counties" is not really true. On a recent trip to T Bend to pick up my trolling motor, I stopped at the Indian Reservation north of Livingston to fill up and notice the 10% sign there. Stopped to get a drink in Colmesneil and noticed it there. Saw it on a pump at Toledo Town. Think it's pretty much everywhere. I put in Quicksilver with each tank but guys listen to the Tech.....it'll save you some heartache.......don't fill up out of town and bring it home to sit and think you are ok.
rudetech1
Member
Offline
551 posts [100%]
Houston Tx
Re: Further ethanol info..... (DKees) » 9:12 AM 2/13/2009 Reply Edit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is against the law now pretty much to make MTBE type fuels for the U.S market. It is still being shipped over seas for the most part.The pumps may or may not be marked. BUT, you can smell the difference.
BassnBill
Geaux Saints
Offline
7380 posts [100%]
Katy Tx
Re: Further ethanol info..... (rudetech1) » 1:37 PM 2/13/2009 Reply Edit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rudetech:
What your preaching is what I've heard from the beginning, GOOD FUEL FILTER and Stabil (or other additive). And don't store your fuel for very long.
Thanks for some great info.
www.katy4fbassclub.com
If at 1st you don't succeed, you're probably from Missouri.
Dkees
Wide Open
Offline
3731 posts [100%]
Katy TX
Re: Further ethanol info..... (BassnBill) » 12:09 AM 2/14/2009 Reply Edit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK, thats it! I'm really worried about the 3/4 tank of gas I have in my boat. I will be out on Conroe Monday running it all out. This just worries the heck out of me so I must take off work and get this taken care of immediately!