Marine fuel system and gasoline rules have changed since switching to alcohol oxygenated fuels.
Most fuel treatment additives that remove water are actually also made from ethanol alcohol!
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Phase separation occurs in E10 gas, when only 0.5% water or 3.8 teaspoons water per gallon of fuel is absorbed.
When phase separation occurs, 2 layers (sometimes 3) of liquid are visible. An upper ethanol-deficient gasoline layer and a lower ethanol-rich (up to 75% ethanol) water layer. Most marine engines draw fuel from the lower portion of tank.
Ethanol alcohol is a great solvent and cleaner, that can dissolve engine parts (rubber, plastic, aluminum, and certain fiberglass tanks), dry out hoses, remove lubrication, and more.
Engine seals and hoses shrink, swell, or lose strength when exposed to ethanol reformulated gasoline.
The amount of ethanol blended in at the pumps, is not closely monitored. Checking gasoline meets safe and legal alcohol guidelines (10% or lower), seems necessary now, until more stringent and protective laws are passed.
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Ethanol Fuels in
Marine - Boat - Outboard
Engines
Ethanol Fuel Use in Boat Engines -
Marine Manufactuer Fuel Recommendations
ALCOHOL FUEL TEST KIT:
TESTS FUEL FOR ALCOHOL/ETHANOL
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Tests for alcohol (ethanol) in gasoline motor fuels.
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Be extra cautious when using E10 (ethanol/alcohol blend fuels)
in marine and boat engines...
Ethanol alcohol is a solvent, degreaser, cleanser, antifreeze and most problematic is ethanol's "hygroscopic" properties.
Hygroscopic means ethanol attracts and absorbs water.
- Fuel-Testers believes alcohol fuels are not suitable for marine engine use.
Always check your owners manual for recommended fuel type.
Precautions are necessary when using fuels containing alcohol in boat engines.
Check your STATE ETHANOL LABELING LAWS
051808 0130
MLR Solutions
FUeL-TESTERS
Ethanol Alcohol Fuel Test Kits
READ - Article May 2008 for Marine & Boat Engine Owners.
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MARINE FUEL RECOMMENDATIONS
Bombardier - Evinrude - Johnson - Honda - Indmar - Mercury - Nissan - Pleasurecraft - Suzuki - Yamaha -
Source - Marine Manufacturers, Boat engine Owners Manuals and 2003 Ethanol Renewable Fuels Association - Hermann and Associates report.
Note: If engine manufactured prior to 2003, guidelines below may not apply - The older your engine. the more likely alcohol/ethanol fuels are not allowed.
EVINRUDE - JOHNSON -ETEC (OMC BRP)
Operates on unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane of 87 or higher.
Alcohol-extended fuels are acceptable ONLY if the alcohol content does not exceed 10%:
Maximum acceptable alcohol by volume: 10 % Ethanol or 10 % methanol with 5 % cosolvents.
HONDA
Must operate with fuel of an octane level of 86 or higher.
Safe to use up to 10% of alcohol in fuel.
Use of over 10% alcohol content may result in engine malfunction and void of the warranty.
INDMAR
All engines must operate on an octane level of 89 or higher. The LS1 must operate on an octane level of at least 93.
Indmar reccommends the use of Sta-bil fuel stabilizer.
Voids the warranty of all repairs caused by bad fuel.
May use fuel with up to 10% alcohol.
MERCURY
Must operate on fuel with an octane level of 87 or higher.
Does not reccommend the use of any percentage of alcohol in fuel.
NISSAN
Must operate on fuel with an octane level of 87 or higher.
Recommends use of fuel up to only 10% ethanol or 5% methanol.
Voids the warranty for all alcohol-fuel related malfunctions.
Specifically states all problems that may result from the use of an alcohol level over 10%.
PLEASURECRAFT
Must operate on fuel with an octane level of 87 or higher.
Voids the warranty for all alcohol-fuel related malfunctions.
Reccommends the use of pure gasoline without alcohol.
SUZUKI
Must operate on fuel with an octane level of 87 or higher.
Reccommends the use of pure gasoline without alcohol, but can use up to 10% alcohol if necessary.
Reccommends buying fuel from pumps that do not use E-10.
YAMAHA
Must operate on fuel with an octane level of 86 or higher.
Reccommends the use of fuel with an alcohol content which does not exceed 10% (E-10).
June 2008 - Page update in progress - Please return later or contact us for information.