Outboards

[Dick]

Have any of you used non-ethanol gasoline in your outboard engine (2 cycle or 4 stroke), and did you have any problems? Gas you get at the pump contains around 10% ethanol and I heard it can be harmful to small engines.

[cfelle2]

Ethanol can be harmful however depending upon where you live that may be the only option you have.  I sail in the Chicago area as well as in the Lake Erie islands near Sandusky OH.  In Ohio I can still get non-ethanol gas however in the Chicago area I can't.  I have yet to have any trouble with 10% ethanol gas.  Also I run 1960's to 1970's outboard motors.  It's very easy to rebuild the fuel system on those motors.  Probably about 1 hour work and $25.00. 

Chris

[NateD]

If the motor is used weekly and the gas in the tank is consistently drawn down to near empty every two months or so, then you're probably OK with ethanol in the gas. If you don't consistently run the motor every week or two, or the fuel is going to sit in the tank for 6 months, then I would suggest tracking down some "non oxygenated" (ethanol-free) gasoline. It can be hard to find, but it seems to be popping up at more places here in MN, usually only in a high octane (91-93), and at about a 30-40 cent premium to standard 87 octane. Try googleing for a list of stations that carry it in your area. Sometimes marinas have it, and if they don't, they might be able to tell you where to find it.

I'm religious about only putting ethanol free gasoline into my small motors (lawn mower, snow blower, outboard, generator, pressure washer, chainsaws) and haven't had any kind of carb problems for the last 4 years since I've switched over, even after leaving the stuff sit for 6+ months at a time.

[nies]

In Northern Wisc. you can still get non;E gas in Prem. at a higher cost of course, but I think its worth it and have not had a problem, cheap insurance.........nies

[wes]

Non-ethanol is hard to find in my area. I use premium grade gas (with ethanol) and treat it religiously with Sta-Bil Marine and Yamaha Ring Free. Knock on wood, I've not had any fuel system problems in a long time. My Mercury 5HP uses so little fuel that a three gallon tank can last several months, so I feel I can afford to treat liberally with the additives. Still on my original bottles of both additives after two years of sailing with this motor.

When I have had fuel line problems, it was due to small particles of debris in the tank. Those tiny carb jets are so easily clogged with a little bit of crud. I threw out the PO's ancient fuel tank and hose, and bought a nice clean new set, and I'm very careful to keep them clean.

Wes

[Shawn]

So far (knocking on wood) I haven't had a problem with Ethanol fuel. I treat my fuel with Seafoam and have a Racor fuel filter inline to my Tohatsu. I burn 3 or 4 gallons a season and don't swap out the fuel, just refill it as needed.

Shawn

[brackish]

I use ethanol free gas exclusively in my outboards.  There are two stations that sell it in town, one about a mile from my house.  My Marina also only sells ethanol free gas.  About a 25 cent a gallon premium but I don't use many gallons per year.  I do change it out every few months and run it through my lawn equipment.

[MacGyver]

I use ethanol fuel 87 octane in my tohatsu. Dont plan to change.
I did however change it after a month..... I think it was what Billy said in a post somewhere that started working its way into the depths of my brain........

My generator at home hasnt run in 2 months, has the same fuel since December, and I bet 50 bucks itll start on the first pull.

Sometimes I wonder what the deal is with fuels........ A farmer friend of mine said one time "Ethanol is cool, it makes me rich, kinda like those oil guys."

I didnt find it very funny as he drove off in his new Dodge Diesel......... he buys a new one every 2 years or so..... and decks them out.

Mac

[Dick]

Thanks to all of you for your very helpful replies. Based on Wes' comment, it is likely that my outboard  problems are due to debris in the gas tank or line and not non-ethanol gas.

[Salty19]

What problems are you having? It's probably carburetor or spark plug related, most are.

[Billy]

What problems are you having? It's probably carburetor or spark plug related, most are.

Ain't that the truth!

[HeaveToo]

Ethanol will do damage to your fuel lines.  It also is said to eat at rubber gaskets.

I have a small outboard for my dingy.  The Fuel line will probably need replacing soon.  I attribute it to ethanol and a mechanic friend of mine said the same. 

I don't think that I will ever put ethanol in that outboard again once I replace the fuel line.

The outboard is a Nissan 2.5 hp 2 stroke.


BTW....does anyone have an outboard for their dingy with their Compac 23?  If so where do you store it?

[Shawn]

I have a Tanaka/Sears 3 hp 2 stroke outboard. I keep it in a duffel bag in one of the cockpit seat lockers.

Shawn

[HeaveToo]

I wouldn't want to keep the outboard in a sealed place inside the hull.  Mine has an attached tank and it has to be vented.  I wouldn't want fuel to spill in the locker and the fumes could be a problem too.

On my Catalina 30 I keep it on the stern rail.  I am wondering if there would be an okay place on the stern rail on the compac.  Then again, more weight to the stern probably isn't good.  Ugh!

[Shawn]

You could drain the tank for longer term storage. On the stern you could clamp a 2x4 or 2x6 to the swim ladder and use that to hold the dinghys engine. I have a mount on the rear rail for the dinghys outboard but it is above the main outboard and very much in the way. I couldn't put it on the other side due to the stern light.

Shawn