Running with Ethanol fuel

I run a 2001 Yamaha 2 stroke on a 1988 v-20 cuddy. The boat started to bog down and wouldn't go over 1100 rpms. Pulled the boat and was told it was probably ethanol that was the culprit. There is a high preassure pump (fuel injected)located in a tank in the engine. They looked at the screen changed the filter and told me it was all gunked up with a white powdery substance. $300 00 dollars later they cleaned the screen and put it back in the water. Approx 2 hrs of running time same problem. I also noticed the boat didn't have the usual p/u and go, couldn't get it to go over 4100 rpms. Pulled the boat and was told this pump had to be replaced. These pumps go $700 and look like the cardboard portion of a toilet roll. Changed the filter/pump again and the boat screams. Somebody mentioned a product out there you add to you tank, it comes in a clear bottle and is blue in color Anybody know anything about it. Suppose to help with this problem. By the way my tank was manf. by a Co called INCA Manf. located in Indianna I think, its plastic and the engineer was very interested in this problem and asked if I would keep him updated. If you need to talk to them thier located on the internet via Google.
 
I was ethanol fouled about three weeks ago, motor just started running rough, couldn't get WOT, seemed like h20 in the fuel. Turns out I had a deteriorated o-ring and some diaphragm thing in the fuel/vro pump. Anyway all good now. Since the intro of ethanol in N.Y., [10%] ,I did notice a reddish/brownish crud when I would change the h20 sep. and the other filter up on the motor. I live reasonably close to about 5 or 6 marinas/ outboard service so I would ask each mech. or salesperson what [if any] product can help w/ this ethanol problem and most everybody said that STARTRON ENZYME FUEL TREATMENT worked the best. I check and change my filters OFTEN and since the STARTRON additive my fuel and filters are clear as a bell. First dose....hit it hard, 1-1 1/2oz. for every 8 gallons of gas, after that, 1 oz. per 16 gallons of gas. Do it every time you fuel up. I also read some good reports on the STARTRON over at THT and Iboats and Noreast.com.....good luck
 
Duncan, I have read that your problem may be the Ethanol deteriorating your fule tank.

Phester, the ethanol is cleaning your tank of the shelac build up
from the fuel without ethanol.
 
Duncan, Do you really think a degrading tank was the culprit of your filter residue ?? I also have a 1988 with a plastic tank - you have me a little worried now :) Not much we can do - but add some fuel treatment, check the filters, and hope for the best.
 
No I think the tank is fine. In fact when I first had this problem I peeked in the tank with a small mirror and a bright flashlight at night. Holding the light aganist the tank really illuminated the inside nicely. The tank looked clean as a whistle. I had more stuff floating around my lawn mower can than what was in my almost 20 yr old boat. What I just learned recently is don't mix old fuel with the new ethanol, it causes some kind of sludge/ shelac. Run the boat out of the old fuel and then replace just what you think you'll need with the new stuff. When this started I'd ask around if anybody else was having a problem, nobody seemed concerned. That has changed in this last month, the conversation is all about fuel. By the way in between the last post and this one I found that product and have introduced it to the fuel system. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
 
parishht said:
Duncan, I have read that your problem may be the  Ethanol deteriorating your fule tank.

Phester, the ethanol is cleaning your tank of the shelac build up
from the fuel without ethanol.
Click to expand...
Affirmative Parishht, the new ethanol is cleaning out the tank, I guess I sorta got sidetracked in my own reply. The reason for the startron additive is to combat or abate the deteriorating effects the ethanol has on all of the motors fuel delivery components. Just as important, ethanol fuel evaporates quicker than the"old gas", and what evaporates away is replaced w/ water or moisture which is a big problem w/ inboard tanks. I've only ran about 30-40 gallons of gas since the repair and all seems well.I'd probably be more concerned if it were 25% ethanol as opposed to 10%
 
I think fiberglass gas tanks is going to the big problem. The sport fishie boys down here may have to pull them out as it eats them up and the residue will clog up gas filters. I've also heard that two strokers will tolerate it better then 4 strokes but who knows.Other than that I plan on dumping in a can of seafoam at every 40 gallons or so but so far I dont think we have it down here in coastal NC and I check all the pumps when I gas up ...Frank
 
what you need to do is put stableizer mixture in when you fuel. you put in however much the bottle ratio is its easy and saved me a new fuel tank and a tow bill.
 
Fiberglass tanks cast with polyester or epoxy resin are eaten up by ethanol fuel and if the residue gets into the engine, major damage can be done. Plastic tanks made of polyethelyne are not effected by ethanol and are definitely OK.

Ethanol will definitely break loose scale and varnish (clean) on the inside of the aluminum tank and if you don't have an effective filter, the crud will clog the carbs. Also, the filter should be able to filter as fine as 10 microns. I have installed a Racor 10 micron, 90 GPH filter on my boat. The 10 micron filter is fine enough to separate suspended water from the ethanol. My Racor filter has a clear bowl on the bottom that can be emptied by opening a valve when you see water.
 
I dunno if it's law here or not, but in VA I've noticed those same labels at most the gas pumps I use.
 
We've got it in CT. It's on the pump and the attendants tell you about it if you ask. No problems with it so far. First i checked my tank construction (aluminum), then I ran last year's gas down as low as i felt comfortable, changed my fuel/water filter, added the new gas and have had not even a fart since (knock wood). 5.7L fuel injected Mercruiser.
 
From what I'm gatherin', alcohol doesn't have that negative an affect on motors, but on the fuel-lines, tanks and fittings it runs thru...once those things start breakin' down, small (and large) particles invade the motor and cause probs in injectors and carbs...is anybody else gettin' this same ''jist'' outta this?... ??? ...
 
Absolutely the same jist.

I still am confused as to why carbs and injectors in car engines can handle the
clean out crap better than boat engines.

And he// my lawn mowers would run on gas that has
mud in it (fecesioutious comment)
 
This from another post I have.

this what the clymer book says for Johnson & Evinrude, and it was published 1991, so they new it was coming!!

So I opened the repair manual to see how to adjust, and this is what I found

1.
Some gasolines sold for marine use now contain alcohol, although this fact may not be advertised. A mixtute of 10 % ethyl alcohol or ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline is called gasohol. This is considered suitable for use in Johson and Evinrude outboards. Some gasolines, however, contain methyl alcohol or methanol. This is not recommended for 1973 to 1986 outboards and only under the provisions outlined under Proper Fuel Selection in this chapter for 1987 to 1990 models.


2.
If gasohol or a gasoline/methanol mixture (1987 to 1990 models) is used with any regularity, Johnson & Evinrude recommend that the carburetor jets be changed to provide a richer mixture to maintain good performance and pervent possible engin damage. See your dealer for recommended rejetting according to your needs.
 
heres a question for the experts...

I go out at least twice a week, and ever time I go I fill the tank. So I always have a full tank.
would it be better to run the tank almost empty to use up the fuel, or just continue to top it off each time?
 
MJ,
1991 was the first gas crisis,
that is when we had to buy gas on days when your license plate had a certain number.
Back then I bought a van and had commercial plates put on,
just to beat the system.

You are right, they probably thought GASAHOL was here to stay,
but then there was a glut of gas and the price came way down.
What is interesting is that Brazil went through the same
crisis, but they decided to keep producing the fuel and now
it is there main source.
 
Sean said:
heres a question for the experts...

I go out at least twice a week, and ever time I go I fill the tank. So I always have a full tank.
would it be better to run the tank almost empty to use up the fuel, or just continue to top it off each time?
Click to expand...

According to Boat US magizine Seaworthy, The first choice would be to empty the tank completely. Since that is most likely not going to happen the second choice is to keep it at 95% full to cut down on condensation.

This I did not know, The NFPA national fire prevention association recomends this to cut down on explosive fumes in the tank.

I have been kicking around the idea of installing a air dryer on the vent line so when the tank breathes it will get dry air.
 
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