ethanol in older boat

[boatman37]

getting ready to rebuild my carb and see kits that say they are ethanol compatible. my marina has a portable tank that guys take to the local station and then pump it off into their boats. i have not done this due to the fear of the ethanol. my boat is a 1986 merc 260. the fuel line does say 1985 on it if that means anything. fuel on the river is $4.10

 

[Grub54891]

I'd be replacing all the rubber lines myself, including the fill and vent lines. Even remove the fuel sender, and see how clean the tank is, just to be sure no gunk gets eaten by the ethanol and goops up the system.

 

[southkogs]

I filled up my 1972 OMC right at the gas station on the way to the lake. It wasn't a problem for me.

 

[dingbat]

my boat is a 1986 merc 260. the fuel line does say 1985 on it if that means anything. fuel on the river is $4.10

Ethanol isn't your problem but .....your 31 year old fuel line are a ticking bomb.

The life expectancy of a fuel line is 6-8 years no matter what fuel you run.

 

[thumpar]

I have always used ethanol, even in my 1983 boat.

 

[Grub54891]

I use ethel also, but my hoses/lines are new. When I got the boat they were dated 1983....Way past their prime...

 

[boatman37]

i thought i read on here awhile back that if they are stamped 1985 then they are the newer ones that will hold up better to ethanol. thats not to dismiss their age. i think mine may have been replaced cause there is clear tape around it like it was coiled and taped together. i can check with the PO. he would know as he was the original owner. but i will be putting that on my to-do list too. wow, that list is getting long!