Just a short story about the effects of ethanol. Was out sailing my Eclipse last week and while coming back the motor died. I switched to the internal tank of the motor and all was good. Back at the dock I realized that the pick-up line to the primer bulb and the bulb were blocked. I removed the tank pick-up tube and found that the end of the tube with a plastic filter had melted and a black goo had plugged up the line and bulb. I figure it to be ethanol + water. The tank came with the new to me boat this year in April. I lucked out that none of the crap made it to the motor. The PO never used any ethanol treatment or marine Stabil and the tank had 2 gal of gas when I bought the boat in April. My mistake was using the gas - should have dumped it and started from scratch with treated gas. We cannot find any pure gas here in Illinois since we grow the corn.....
We allegedly have real gas in Illinois our local FS sells it next to the ethanol with price about 20% higher. I always treat with Seafoam. Try this link...
http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=IL
I managed to find ethanol free gas at the Sentry station in Walworth, WI., on B just east of 67. It is on the way to Lake Geneva and works out great. Filled my Jeep with it too, it ran great, and increased my mpg a few. Is it worth the extra money? For the boat, yes. For the car, I think not. I've got maybe a gallon of regular ethanol gas in my other (backup) tank and it seems to work just as well, although I'll now have to take a look at it and see if the hose is ok. I also have a new, unused backup hose if I ever need it. Thanks for the heads up. The Pure gas link is gold.
Vectordirector
Marinas in our area - Tampa Bay - have real gas but I know only one gas station in St Petersburg that does. I have had good results using Stabil but it has its limits.
Thanks for the puregas link. I checked it and do ya mean to tell me that in the whole dang state of NJ there's only 1 station? Fortunately, it's only about half hour from my house. The sister business sells and repairs serious off road motocycles. Oh, yeah...hope they don't try to sell me one!
I'll keep on running local premium, treated with marine Stabil. Works just fine in Miss Nissan, size 8!
Bob23
This exactly why I'm going to buy a Torqeedo why I get my boat
I've never seen a gas station in Maine that caries straight non ethanol mix gas. The local chain saw mechanic gets his straight gas at a small airport and says it saves a lot of trouble especially with the newer low emisson saws . At three thousand feet I sure wouldn't want to rely on an ethanol mix. Gas at an airport maybe an option in other areas. This past year I've been getting by OK on additives in most of my small engines. I just don't keep it in a tank or can too long.
Here in Wisconsin I am a fan of Kwik Trip 91 octane non-ethanol with a shot of Sea Foam every so often. Kwik Trip has dedicated hoses for each grade so I don't have to run a few gallons into the truck to clear the hose before getting the non-ethanol running in the line.
V.
We sure are blessed down here in the Charlotte Harbor (SW Florida) area. There are quite a few stations, spread all over, selling "Rec 90", that is, Recreational 90 Octane non-Ethanol Fuel.
Most Marathon Stations carry it, and other potential stations can be found by looking for trailerable boats refueling there.
The word is out about the damaging effects of ethanol, especially in marine engines, hoses, and accessories, and most folks are willing to spend a little extra for non-Ethanol fuel. It must be selling well, otherwise it wouldn't be so conveniently available.
Yet another benefit to living in Paradise!
By the way, I too am a firm believer in periodic treatment of ALL my small engines with Sea Foam, HOWEVER, I do not think it is a suitable remedy/treatment for Ethanol laden fuel.
And, every ounce of fuel that goes in my boats, both sail and power, is treated with Stabil.
capt_nemo
Nemo:
You use Stabil and seafoam? Any reason why both?
B23
As Nemo mentioned, the Marathon stations here in NC have been the only land based places to find ethanol-free gas, though it's premium grade (93 octane) and just as spendy as marina fuel - $4.69/gal yesterday. But since 3 gal lasts months for my little Mercury 5 hp, I don't mind paying. I use Sta-Bil and Yamaha Ring Free in every tank.
Wes
Independent station less than a mile from my house and on the way to the Marina has all grades ethanol free gasoline. Yesterday's price, $3.39 for regular. That is 30 cents more than the Shell station selling 10% ethanol across the street. The Marina also has it but the premium is usually 20% and it is a pain in the butt to buy it there. Easier to self serve fill my top off can than to take the boat or tank over to the fuel dock and wait for an attendant to come from the marina office.
Bob23,
I do not use Stabil and Sea Foam at the same time.
Although they both stabilize fuel they are somewhat different products.
I PERIODICALLY use the Sea Foam in my small engines, that is, outboards (2), genset, and motorcycle for the purposes listed on the can.
I use Stabil in my outboards and genset at all other times.
Hope this clarifies.
capt_nemo
Yes it does. Thanks.
B23
Regarding fuel docks advertising "non-ethanol" gasoline - of the half dozen ethanol related engine failure insurance claims I've investigated, three of those fuel docks advertising non-ethanol gasoline, sold ethanol gas. Test kits for testing gasoline for ethanol are cheap (<$20), easy to find, and easy to use. If Y/N to ethanol is important to you, I recommend adding one of these to your tool kit.
John Smith
SMITH,
WOW, can't even trust the fuel pumps these days.
Thanks for the heads up John.
capt_nemo
Mallard Station across the river from New Bern has a "mid-grade" that is ethanol free. Less expensive than replacing the fuel line or getting a carb job. Another one up the road toward Raleigh doesn't have it, but the next one after that does. I guess the way to think of it is the first one and the last one either way have the non-ethanol.
A station in Cary called Dolphins, on 55 has non-ethanol gas also.
Sea Foam in each batch I buy. Usually, what I do is get 2 gallons at a time, and treat it with sea foam. If it gets over 2 months old, I pour it into my car's tank, and get new again. I just do it, I don't know how long it would last, but I don't want to find out.
I guess I'm very fortunate to live in Morehead, NC. We have several stations that sell non-ethanol gasoline. I only use non-ethanol gas and add marine stabilizer in my Honda 5Hp. Haven't had the motor long enough to comment on its reliability but when I lived in NY I had a honda snowblower that was extremely reliable just like my honda cars and motorcycles. Thanks John Smith for the heads up on the gas stations selling ethanol gas labeled ethanol free. If anyone does have a test kit and finds such a station make sure that you notify the local authorities immediately.
Just venting. Ethanol has been around for a long time. The problem is well known, so why haven't the manufacturers solved it? Why have I never seen an instruction manual that says do not use ethanol? And E15 should make matters worse.
Quote from: Dave on October 16, 2014, 12:18:59 PM
Just venting. Ethanol has been around for a long time. The problem is well known, so why haven't the manufacturers solved it? Why have I never seen an instruction manual that says do not use ethanol? And E15 should make matters worse.
I could answer that but won't. It would go political way too fast. Just ask yourself who benefits financially from it, what lobby is pushing it. It is absolutely not necessary.
Let me repeat my earlier warning. If burning ethanol free gasoline is important to you in your thousand plus dollar engine (vs. simply using an additive to minimize ethanol's negative effects), invest in a <$20 ethanol test kit. Of the six ethanol related insurance claims I've investigated, three of the gasoline dealers were selling ethanol laden gasoline. Test first before you buy.
John Smith
SMITH Marine Survey Inc.
Sheldon, SC