Effects of ethanol on outboard engines

[dingbat]

Re: Effects of ethanol on outboard engines

Around here we're required to use reformulated/ oxygenated fuels and since MTBE has been for all intensive purposes banned for environmental purposes they are now using 10% ethanol as a replacement for MTBE in the reformulated and oxygenated fuels.

The EPA website states that nearly 100% of the areas mandating the use of a reformulated or oxygenated have switched over to E10 instead of MTBE.

Unfortunately with the E10 also comes a 10% reduction in the BTU output of a gallon of gas. (i.e. 10% worst fuel efficiency)

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Effects of ethanol on outboard engines

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Unfortunately with the E10 also comes a 10% reduction in the BTU output of a gallon of gas. (i.e. 10% worst fuel efficiency)

I think the reduction in BTU's is closer to 4 or 5%.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Effects of ethanol on outboard engines

I knew I should have stayed at that Holiday Inn Express last night d

Most articles I've read put the figure between 3-8 % but if you run the numbers, ethanol = 77,000 BTU per gallon and gas = 91,6000 BTU per gallon you come up right at 3% for a E10 mixture

 

[KM2]

Re: Effects of ethanol on outboard engines

I post the same thing on ethanol everytime so I'm sorry if I sound like a broken record on every ethanol post.

We have had mandatory 10% ethanol in our pumps in MN for over 10 years. It's hard to find a non-oxy pump and it's illegal to put that fuel in your car, although not enforced. Minnesota has 10,000 lakes and a helluva lot boats and ethanol doesn't seem to be a problem.

If your just getting ethanol blended fuel in your area now, ethanol could be exsaperating some issues. If you have water in your tank the ethanol will mix with it. If your old gas has MTBE they don't mix well apparently and may cause some issues. I think that could be the cause of the goo problems. Ethanol will clean up your dirty tank and lines, which is a good thing but you will have to replace a fuel filter or two in the beginning. As for eating fuel lines and gaskets I don't believe it unless it's something pre 1990 era. Fiberglass tanks are also not a good idea, but I don't think many boats have glass tanks anymore.

FYI: i don't have a vested interest in ethanol and don't think it will save our planet, country or anything like that. I use it all the time, I really have no choice and never have any fuel related problems with any of my stuff. Of course I have nothing over 10 years old either.

That's my 2 cents. My boating season is almost over and I'm getting a little grumpy. You southerners enjoy your time on the water.