Outboards, and ethanol fuel.

[mazama]

A friend had a1year old Honda mower it would not start Honda dealer said problems with gas,i used starting fluid got it going and shut it off would not start without fluid again,so igot it going again with with fluid let it run 25 minutes after that it started without fluid-I now put additive in every tank of gas for saws or mower.

[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.

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.

I've also learned the hard way about using ethanol fuel in my small engines. 

[sled]

My carburetor had both varnish from old fuel, and a white chalky powder in it that they said was from moisture caused by the ethanol in the fuel evaporating, and causing condensation. 

[BigGoonTuna]

the ethanol doesn't evaporate, it's what attracts water to the fuel.  the chalky stuff is usually some kind of aluminum corrosion.

if you're using your motor a lot, most will get along fine with E10 fuel.  if you're like me and mostly get to start at your boat out the window because the rivers are only in shape on days you're working this season, i'd recommend E0.  the ethanol doesn't cause many issues when it's running, it's primarily when it sits around.  ethanol absorbs water and turns corrosive when it sits, so steel parts rust and aluminum gets that scaly white corrosion.

unless you live on the coast, that is.  i made a habit of dumping my small engine gas in my truck if it sat longer than a month or so when i lived in hoquiam, that damp salt air turned my fuel tanks into a watery milkshake in a hurry, even when they were in the garage.  part of this has to do with the stupid "EPA" gas cans that have one way vents that can't be shut off, they let that wet air inside the tank when temperatures drop.

i saw it a lot in the small engine repair business i used to work at.  loggers and landscapers very rarely had any issues related to ethanol, but the guy who bought a chainsaw, used it one time and then let it sit with gas in it for a year comes in all wound up because his saw that he has barely used is all fouled up and needs a new carburetor.

[jeepster]

Ethanol is horrible. Pay the extra cash, drive the extra mile, there are still places that sell ethanol free fuel, hard to find, but worth it, doesn't matter what motor it is, marine gasoline engines should only eat premium. Additives are your friend.

The main problem with ethanol is it is alcohol. Alcohol absorbs water, unless you keep your fuel tanks 100% full, condensation is an issue. Gasoline doesn't have a shelf life like diesel, if you want good fuel consider going to a small airport and getting avaition fuel, its a higher octane like 102, but not subject to the EPA as automotive gasoline is, so might be a better bet, might also have to adjust timing because of the slower burn rate, but at least it's not the standard gas station crap