Ethanol free or fuel additive ?

[kevinstan]

Just added a new fuel tank and all new fuel hose with a new fuel filter and primer bulb after my carb rebuild. I can't decide between ethanol free gas only from now on or either regular gas with johnson evinrude fuel additive. I know lots of people that swear by ethanol free gas, but I want to hear some of what other people think before I decide. Any ideas or input would be greatful.

 

[GA_Boater]

You don't want to know what other people think. It's a Ford vs Chevy or dino vs synthetic oil debate. IMO - Do what you feel comfortable doing. You have all new parts which should be impervious to the big E.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, Ethanol is not bad for motors. It absorbs moisture, had good octane and cleans the fuel system. The worst thing about is all the mis-information about it.

 

[boobie]

Gee, If Ethanol fuel is so great, how come the gas mileage on all my vehicles went to Hell when we had to switch over to it ???? That's boats included.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Gee, If Ethanol fuel is so great, how come the gas mileage on all my vehicles went to Hell when we had to switch over to it ???? That's boats included.

The difference in energy content (which ought to correspond pretty well with fuel mileage) between ethanol and non-ethanol fuels is only a couple of percent. You shouldn't even notice that.

As far as running 10% ethanol in your boat ---- geez, won't this discussion ever end? We've been using ethanol in gasoline since the 1980's, manufacturers have had plenty of time to figure out how to deal with it. It's been my observation that ethanol does a good job of keeping everything in the fuel system clean and varnish free. Just remember to change out all your fuel lines every 10 years or so.

 

[S.A. Baker]

Worked in the powersports industry for 42 yrs. as a tech. Every spring it was three months of constant carb cleans and repairs due to ethanol. Carburetors completely clogged with stinky green mungus from the bacteria growth induced by water absorbing ethanol. Not to mention engine burn downs due to running on slugs of pure water that the ethanol separated from the fuel. Don't tell me that ethanol won't hurt anything! I hate the crap with a passion. There's a plant near where I live. It's all about planting more corn around here! I run sea foam religiously in ALL my carbed vehicles ,which includes several collector Mopars. STILL had to rebuild the Holley on my 440 last year due to ethanol problems. If you can buy ethanol free fuel do it! Not a lot of choice here in the corn belt!

 

[NAT1VE]

Startron is a good additive if you're worried about the ethanol in your fuel. There is no overdosing either with the product, my brothers small engine shop recommends it to all their customers. We use it in our Dirtbikes and outboards too. But it definitely is an Red vs. Blue Debate.

 

[S.A. Baker]

Yep....Star tron is a good one...though a bit spendy! But what isn't these days?!

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, Doesn't alcohol kill bacteria? I would doubt the "mungus" is caused by ethanol.

A lot of water in ethanol (or non-ethanol) fuel is bad, and can cause issues, but certainly it is not the ethanol's fault.

 

[David Young]

I was told to use 'ethanol free gas' because of the gaskets and seals in my 1977 motor. Is this true?

 

[bruceb58]

Carburetors completely clogged with stinky green mungus from the bacteria growth induced by water absorbing ethanol.

That's a new one!

BTW, ethanol fuel absorbs more water that non ethanol fuel so if you had slugs of water, it would be worse with non ethanol fuel.

 

[S.A. Baker]

Yes bacteria will grow in the water that ethanol extracts from fuel . There are bacteria that will grow in almost any condition. You will get a varnish deposit from old skunky ethanol free fuel. You will get green algae like deposits from the ethanol. It IS a grain derived alcohol! When ethanol and the water combine you will get a raw shot of alcohol and water. FARworse than just water. Very good for burning down a two stroke especially.

 

[bruceb58]

And now you can see why and how the myths of ethanol get started.

 

[littlerayray]

Yet another reason I bought my boat new in 2012 mercury says e10 is ok for their new motors cuz it's going to be harder and harder to get away from ethanol but that's my 2 cents worth now to sit back and watch

Pass theopcorn:

 

[oldboat1]

current Wikipedia description (verbatim):

" Dry gas is an alcohol-based additive used in automobiles to prevent any water in the fuel from freezing, or to restore combustive power to gasoline spoiled by water. The name Drygas is actually a brand name, owned by Cristy. It is a liquid that is added into the fuel tank, that absorbs the water and keeps it in solution.[citation needed] Some brands contain methanol and some contain isopropyl alcohol.[1]

Some states require a 10-15% ethanol solution be sold at refueling stations.[citation needed] Most current gasoline-powered automobiles can safely run up to a 10% ethanol solution without any modification. However, at 15% or above older vehicles may require replacing the fuel lines to prevent degradation and rupture, and the electric fuel pump may need modification to prevent ethanol "dry rot". The belief that dry gas is not needed because the significant amount of ethanol is distorted because ethanol is a drying agent. Due to this fact it has a affinity for water which can be present into the atmosphere. The water that has been "absorbed" then causes issues with freezing fuel lines. The action of adding dry gas (anhydrous methanol or azeotropic iso-propyl alcohol) is suggested to mix with absorbed water lowering the freezing point of the now water and alcohol solution allowing the fuel lines to resist freezing, and allowing the water to be removed when the solution is used by the engine."

*******

Was a mediocre Chemistry student, but it sounds to me like ethanol pulls out water, which (or maybe, and) has a drying effect on components, BUT the ethanol doesn't combine with the water for combustion. Anhydrous methanol or azeotropic iso-propyl alcohol (geez -- Dry Gas) combines with the extracted water to form a combustible compound. Seems to imply that adding dry gas is even more important when burning gas with ethanol. (Seems to say that the ethanol water-in-gas issue can be solved by adding yet another form of alcohol -- dry gas --, but the damage to susceptible fuel lines would remain.) Seems that ethanol might improve combustion by adding alcohol (cleaner burning), and also by separating out water (albeit, not burning it).

So I guess non-ethanol gas is the winner (maybe with periodic dry gas added, if a particular condensation problem).

 

[bruceb58]

The water that has been "absorbed" then causes issues with freezing fuel lines.

It may change the freezing temperature(lower), and that temperature is lower than any temp you will see in North America. Sometimes its ridiculous what you read in Wikipedia.

Like I said before...more ethanol myths.

 

[Chris1956]

You do realize that most anyone can write a Wikipedia article, right? Actually some of that narrative is true.

Ethanol and other alcohols absorb water, allowing it to be burned. Ethanol however, is safe to use as a motor fuel, and the other two alcohols will damage an engine.

Methanol and Isopropanol are never added to gasoline by the oil companies, as they will damage an engine. Very small amounts can be used in 4 cycle motors to absorb moisture, and are contained in products such as Drygas.

 

[oldboat1]

yeah. mom and pop language -- written by mom and pop. What the description seems to say, though, is that the water drawn out by ethanol is free floating, not combined -- so the freezing point is that of...water. Use of dry gas combines alcohol with water, lowering the freezing point. (main point seems to be that ethanol does not form an emulsion with water. So let's see, if you had an ethanol fire I guess you could smother it with water?? doesn't seem likely.)

 

[bruceb58]

What the description seems to say, though, is that the water drawn out by ethanol is free floating, not combined -- so the freezing point is that of...water.

It absolutely isn't free floating. :facepalm:

Ever tried to freeze a bottle of Vodka? Doesn't freeze does it?

 

[oldboat1]

but think mom and pop are describing something like water floating on distilled potato mash, not vodka. The water freezes. (picture is of these water droplets running side by side with the ethanol in your gasoline). Ain't saying I believe that, but that's the way I read the wikipedia entry.