Let us not overthink the ethanol issue. I just came back from a morning and early afternoon of sailing up on Lake Dillon. Run a Honda 2 outboard. The motor started on the first pull. After sailing around the lake, hove-to for lunch, sailing more, the motor again started on the first pull for entering the marina. It is running 91 octane with 10% ethanol gas. I add sta-bil and seafoam. The motor has run fine with this mix since it was purchased in May 2011. The motor has 79 hours as of the completion of today's sail (I keep a detailed log). Don't try running crazy stuff into your motor, besides a failure of the motor when you really need it you'll completely void the warranty and likely cause damage(s) to the motor. All outboard motors made in at least the last 10 years, and some manufacturers even longer, are designed to run on 10% ethanol. The issue is not allowing the gas in motor to go stale, or sit for an extended period. Keep the fuel tank full and treated as a noted above. If you're not going to run the motor for a while drain out the fuel tank. When my fuel gets more than a month to six weeks old it goes into the tow vehicle. many people like to run the motor dry and after each day of use. :: Dave Scobie On Sep 19, 2015 3:20 PM, "Thomas Buzzi" <thomaspbuzzi@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Connie, Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, I remember "white gas" being used in Coleman Lanterns and I have a couple of gallons of it still sitting in my shed. I wonder if it really would run in my outboard? It seems rather more viscous than gasoline. I have traced down some Seafoam and fuel additive. The outlet for marine gas turns out to be 45 miles away and some of the reviews say the gas tanks at this marina are sometimes fouled with sediment. Not a good sign. Regard, Tom
On Sat, Sep 19, 2015 at 3:48 PM, Conbert Benneck <chbenneck@gmail.com> wrote:
On 9/19/2015 12:29 PM, Thomas Buzzi wrote:
Tom,
A thought;
Years ago there was a product called "white gasoline" that was sold for use in Coleman lanterns and stoves.
As I recall, normal automobile gasoline in those days had tetra ethyl lead added to improve the octane rating and prevent detonation in the cylinders, as engine compression ratios and HP increased.
White gasoline was straight gasoline without the tetra ethyl lead.
If that is still available, it might be a solution to ethanol-free gasoline for your outboard.
Connie
That is all very discouraging, Connie. I found a station in Corpus Christi I will try out via the publilshed list by Tyler on this site. Failing that I will try the fuel stabilizer and Seafoam. Tom B
On Sat, Sep 19, 2015 at 8:08 AM, Conbert Benneck <chbenneck@gmail.com> wrote:
On 9/19/2015 6:56 AM, Dave Scobie wrote:
Tom,
This all started when politicians first decreed that_all gasoline_ in
the
winter should contain 10% ethanol to reduce smog.
Their next step, to gain votes in the corn belt and to get reelected, was to make the 10% mandatory, all year round, _in all grades of gasoline_ sold.
This has caused all sorts of problems. Ethanol (alcohol) is hygroscopic, i.e., it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. It also ate all sorts of hoses and seals that hadn't been made for ethanol (all older machinery
lawn mower, trimmer, outboards, etc.)
In former times, Washington politicians were smarter types, and preferred to drink their ethanol in the form of bourbon. Their more modern successors are diluting an excellent fuel (gasoline) with ethanol, which has about 1/3rd fewer Btus per unit volume. (it's good for them because you have to use more fuel diluted with ethanol, which means more gasoline taxes)
Now they want to increase the ethanol content to 85%.....!
Why doesn't some company produce a nice little diesel powered outboard?
Connie
Unless noted all gas sold has ethanol, usually 10%.
Be careful not to use any gasoline containing more than 10% ethanol, E15, into your motor. This will cause damage.
:: Dave Scobie On Sep 19, 2015 3:47 AM, "Thomas Buzzi" <thomaspbuzzi@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Tom,
Are all premium gasolines non-alcoholic? If so that sounds like the way to go. Tom B
On Fri, Sep 18, 2015 at 12:18 PM, Tom Smith <openboatt@gmail.com> wrote:
Or what the heck, buy non-ethanol premium and run that. Available almost
> everywhere and probably less expensive than additives in the long run. > t > > On Fri, Sep 18, 2015 at 10:13 AM, Thomas Buzzi < > thomaspbuzzi@gmail.com> > wrote: > > Thanks,Dave. Will do. > >> On Fri, Sep 18, 2015 at 11:30 AM, Dave Scobie < scoobscobie@gmail.com >> > >> wrote: >> >> Use a mix of Sta-Bil and Seafoam. Mix in each as directed. This >> snakeoil >> >> mix for fuel recommended by the Outboard Doctor ... he did a couple >>> >>> of >> > great presentations at the old Havasu event. > >> Drain tank and run motor dry at end of season, or if motor not going >>> >>> to >> > be > >> used for more than a month or two. If fuel is older than a month or >>> >>> two >> > pour it into the tow vehicle and get fresh gas. > >> Keep the fuel in the motor, external, tank as close to full at all >>> >>> times >> as >> >> you can. The more air in the tank the more condensation (ie, water) >>> problems you will >>> >>> :: Dave Scobie >>> On Sep 18, 2015 10:20 AM, "Thomas Buzzi" <thomaspbuzzi@gmail.com> >>> >>> wrote: >> Hello All, >> >>> I was reading the book that came with this new ob and it mentioned >>>> >>>> the >>> >> ethanol situation with gasoline not being the greatest fuel >> >>> situation >>> >> for >> >>> this unit. Has anybody tried "fuel stabilizer" using gas station >>>> >>>> fuel >>> >> to >> >> keep down the water absorption? >>> >>>> I live in Rockport, Tx. and fuel access is rather limited to auto >>>> >>>> use >>> >> here > >> abouts. Any advice about this would be appreciated. >>>> Tom B. Monty 17, "AS-IS" >>>> >>>> >>>>