FYI - Ethanol

[alsantini]

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.....

[mattman]

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

[Vectordirector]

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

[HideAway]

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. 

[Bob23]

  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

[rbh1515]

This exactly why I'm going to buy a Torqeedo why I get my boat

[philb Junkie19]

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.

[Vipersdad]

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.

[capt_nemo]

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

[Bob23]

Nemo:
   You use Stabil and seafoam?  Any reason why both?
B23

[wes]

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

[brackish]

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.

[capt_nemo]

 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

[Bob23]

Yes it does.  Thanks.
B23

[SMITH]

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