Outboards, and ethanol fuel.

[sled]

  Reminder after I just paid 300.00 for carb, and fuel pump rebuild.  Unhook fuel supply and run it out of gas.  Then drain your carb bowl. Also use and additive like sea foam, and non ethanol fuel when possible. 
  Learn from my mistake!

[Wa hunter]

Non ethanol fuel, stabile, ran dry but forgot to drain good reminder.

[Reidus]

I run that blue enzyme fuel treatment and it seems to work in boats mowers weed eaters etc.

[johnny b]

Check the internet for "Puregas.org" for locations with nonethonal fuel that may be near you. 

[usmc74]

Grange in Issy has ethanol free gas

[b23]

It's not necessarily ethanol fuel itself that causes the damage but more the result of running only pure gas for a long time then putting in ethanol blended fuel.  The ethanol blended fuel acts almost like a varnish remover and if your tanks have any amount of build up in them the ethanol blended fuel knocks it all loose into your fuel and passes it through the system, often,  that's what causes the problem/s with gunking up the fuel system.

[lokidog]

I've used ethanol gas for however long they have had it.  In the older motors, many of the fuel lines were not compatible and would deteriorate leaving gunk in your carb.  I can't imagine any engine being built since 2000, well maybe a Mercury since they don't seem to like to use stainless either     , that has fuel lines that are not compatible with ethanol.  The only problem I have had is in those older motors, or small engines like chainsaws and weed whackers that I only use occasionally and cannot drain.

Having said that, if your engine is going to sit a month or more, it is probably a good idea to put in some Stabil type stuff, and it is always a good idea to run it dry.  I don't do either and put 2500 to 3500 miles a year on my Honda 90's and have never had "ethanol" issues.  But, I do run it at least once every two weeks in the winter and usually every week. 

If you take care, there is no reason to spend the extra $1+ a gallon for non-ethanol fuel. 

[sled]

I was told at the repair shop several manufactures are saying not to use ethanol fuel.

[lokidog]

It just takes a quick Google search to learn more... they have more comments if you want to look at the article.

http://petelandrysrealgas.com/2010/10/what-marine-engine-manufacturers-say-about-ethanol-gas-2/

By “Pete” Landry – October 20, 2010
This is what the major outboard marine engine manufacturers have to say about the use of ethanol fuel in their engines. This information is taken directly from their web sites:
YAMAHA MARINE: Web Site: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/products/lifestylehome/home.aspx
Ethanol Gas Comments: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/faq/faqanswer/14/19/1/answers.aspx

Question & Answers # 14:
Question: Are Yamaha engines compatible with E10 fuel?
Answer: All current models as well as most engines built since the late 1980’s have been designed with fuel system components that are tolerant to fresh fuel containing ethanol up to 10% (E10). Outboard fuel systems can still be affected by: water, dissolved gum, varnish, corrosion particles, and dissolved resins that E10 fuel has cleaned from the distribution system and your boat’s fuel tanks.


HONDA MARINE: Web Site: http://marine.honda.com/
Ethanol Gas Comments: http://marine.honda.com/owners/fuelrecommendations

Question: What kind of fuel should I use in my Honda Marine engine?
Answer: Honda engines are designed and certified to run on regular unleaded gasoline.  Gasoline is allowed, by regulation, to contain a variety of additives. The same regulation limits how much of some additives, such as alcohol, can be included in the fuel and still be sold as gasoline. If you look in a Honda product owner’s manual, you will see that a maximum of 10% ethanol is allowed in gasoline (other oxygenates are also listed). Honda engines are designed for good performance and efficient operation using gasoline containing from 0 to 10% ethanol.
E85, a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, has been in the news recently. E85 is an alternative fuel; it is not gasoline. Honda Marine engines are not currently designed or certified to run on E85 or any other alternative fuel.
Always refer to your Honda owner’s manual for a list of recommended fuel and the current approved additives.


MERCURY MARINE: Web Site: http://www.mercurymarine.com/engines/
Ethanol Gas Comments: http://www.mercurymarine.com/service-and-support/customersupport/
faqs/warranty/#EthanolWarranty

Questions & Answers:

Question: Will the use of fuels containing ethanol void my engine warranty?
Answer: Fuels containing up to 10 percent ethanol are considered acceptable for use in Mercury engines.  Fuels containing higher levels of ethanol are not considered acceptable for use, and the use of fuels containing ethanol higher than 10 percent can void the warranty.


Suzuki and Evinrude Marine did not respond to the author’s request before the article was printed.

[sled]

Thanks for putting me in my place!  Lol.  I know they did mention evenrude specifically. 
The main point they made to me was to use an additive if the fuel won't be used for a month or so, and to drain the carb bowl after running the engine out.

[lokidog]

Thanks for putting me in my place!  Lol.  I know they did mention evenrude specifically. 
The main point they made to me was to use an additive if the fuel won't be used for a month or so, and to drain the carb bowl after running the engine out.

I agree with that completely, as I have already posted.  I'm not trying to "put you in your place", just trying to get the facts out there and not have people waste money on non-ethanol fuel when it is not needed.  I keep one jug of non-ethanol fuel for my small engines that get infrequent use and I cannot drain or run dry.

[hogslayer]

My family has a commercial seafood company on the Hood Canal and switched to all ethanol free gas about 6 years ago.  From my understanding, when ethanol evaporates it attracts moisture when it evaporates.  It also eats up the gaskets and rubber rings in hoses and connections faster than typical gas would.  We haven't had any major problems since we switched

[lokidog]

If you've got ethanol evaporating in your fuel tanks you have other problems.  Take a look at that link.  There are other questions that the engine manufacturers answer that address water in fuel and switching from non-ethanol fuel to ethanol fuel, both causing problems.

I have had no problems with fuel lines, seals or gaskets on any engine newer than 1995, but hey, if you want to spend an extra $1-$2 a gallon, not my problem.

Calm seas to all.

[Boss .300 winmag]

If you've got ethanol evaporating in your fuel tanks you have other problems.  Take a look at that link.  There are other questions that the engine manufacturers answer that address water in fuel and switching from non-ethanol fuel to ethanol fuel, both causing problems.

I have had no problems with fuel lines, seals or gaskets on any engine newer than 1995, but hey, if you want to spend an extra $1-$2 a gallon, not my problem.

Calm seas to all.

I believe the saying is " Fair winds, and following seas." 

[sled]

Thanks for putting me in my place!  Lol.  I know they did mention evenrude specifically. 
The main point they made to me was to use an additive if the fuel won't be used for a month or so, and to drain the carb bowl after running the engine out.

I agree with that completely, as I have already posted.  I'm not trying to "put you in your place", just trying to get the facts out there and not have people waste money on non-ethanol fuel when it is not needed.  I keep one jug of non-ethanol fuel for my small engines that get infrequent use and I cannot drain or run dry.

honestly, I was just joking.  They did also mention the moisture issue.  My only purpose with the post was to remind everybody to maintain properly which I didn't do and it cost me.