fuel with 10% ethanol

[jleger98]

I got a buddy who just bought his first boat. Its an I/O (I know, I know) but he read in a mercruiser manual that you absolutely should not burn ethanol. The boat is an 84 SeaRay, and is in REALLY nice shape. Told him I would ask around to see what the prevailing thoughts were.

[dogbert]

I posted this on another thread:

Ethanol - Take care...

[Timmy!]

Here in Colorado we have 10% in all gas from November thru February, it sucks! I would never put that in my boat. The gas mileage in my car takes a 2.5 to 3 mpg hit when they switch over to the "winter gas".

[mtnsmith]

Most of our gas stations have a sticker at the pump that states "Contains less than 10% ethanol" I have been running it because it is all I can find. We also use the boat a lot and gas doesn't sit in it very long so hopefully it is not hurting anything.

[hoopykat]

It's more of a concern due to the fact the ethanol attracts water, and can promote corrosion. If you keep your tank full when not using the boat to minimize air space that can attract condensation, it's better.

-Mike

[chpthril]

High ethanol levels are tough on all the rubber in the fuel system, especially on older systems that were not built for ethanol blends.

[zad0030]

I got gas at a shell station and my car hasnt ran right since.

[spharis]

The EPA has bumped the ethanol % in the mandate since it was released. I think it is now moving to 20%.

[dogbert]

I would definitely not recommend it with a Mercruiser. The fuel pressure regulator is essentially a diaphragm and it will fail prematurely.

[sparky216]

High ethanol levels are tough on all the rubber in the fuel system, especially on older systems that were not built for ethanol blends.

so how is this going to effect cars, or is there a difference between boat engines and car engines and their response to higher ethanol levels?

[sparky216]

I got gas at a shell station and my car hasnt ran right since.

I only use Shell and Chevron fuels in all my cars, boat, toys and have never had a problem. I once had a problem filling up my car at an Aloha gas station (7-11) in Hawaii b/c of fuel, but never at Shell. Perhaps it's something else....................................or it's Shell fuel cause I don't know chit about engines

[Domsz06]

just make sure your keeping it full. All gas has ethanol in it now. Keep it full and try not to let stuff sit. so it doesn't attract water.

Gas companies can not ship gas with ethanol in it since it attracts water. We have to add it at the terminals.

[chpthril]

so how is this going to effect cars, or is there a difference between boat engines and car engines and their response to higher ethanol levels?

For years, auto manufacturers have had warnings about the use of high ethanol level fuels, but at the same time, the have been increasing the tolerance to ethanol, by blending their rubber and plastic fuel system components to be more compatible.

[whitlecj]

Probably don't want to burn it in that inboard/outboard if you can help it. I really hate burning it in anything.

[spooner]

It also boils at a lower temp causing vapor lock issues