Fuel (or other) additives for used boat?

[Gromulin]

New to me, that is. The story so far:

2001 Doral 230BR, with a Volvo-Penta 5.7 GSi with duo-prop outdrive (how do I know EXACTLY which duo-prop drive I have?). 280 HP TBI on a 24' bow rider. 179 hours on the gauge. 70 gallon fuel tank. I have been told by PO that all fluids and impeller were changed last November. He's only owned the boat for 2 years, so no info on previous maintenance history.

So...I'm taking it out (theoretically) for a 5 day camping trip the day after I bring it home. I intend to do a full winterizing at the end of the season, really get to know this thing...pull the outdrive, change all seals, bellows and whatever 'chingadero's' the manuals tell me a 10 year old boat should need after the season is over. I figure I'll put about 30-40 hours on it before it's done for the season this year. I want to make sure I use up all the existing gas in the tank FOR SURE. I'm prepared for semi-major regular maintenance this fall, since it is new to me, and I don't have the service records. I'm planning on going full-synthetic lubes for everything, and learning how to do all my own regular service.

With me so far?

So. What fuel additives, if any, should I buy to clean everything out first? I'm betting the PO didn't read the manual and only use 92+ octane gas....I doubt many do. What helps get rid of potential methanol problems best? (I'm going to install a water-separating filter as part of the winter work)...not that I even think there ARE any problems...just being proactive.

Anything I should try adding to the drive to get any sludge removed prior to a complete fluid change to synthetic?

There's a freshwater storage tank that the PO never used...whats best to get it sanitized?

What should I avoid?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Fuel (or other) additives for used boat?

So. What fuel additives, if any, should I buy to clean everything out first?

None. Just change the fuel filters and put fresh gasoline in it.

What helps get rid of potential methanol problems best?

There is no methanol problems with gasoline. It isn't used in gasoline except for racing fuel.

There's a freshwater storage tank that the PO never used...whats best to get it sanitized?

Same way you would do an RV tank.

http://www.rverscorner.com/rvwatersanitizingtip.html



Cheers,


Rick

 

[Gromulin]

Re: Fuel (or other) additives for used boat?

There is no methanol problems with gasoline. It isn't used in gasoline except for racing fuel.

Hmm..I thought in California our wonderful government mandated a mix during summer or winter...there is some sign on the gas pumps about different blends. Guess I'll have to actually read it tomorrow when I gas up the car! Hope you are right and it's one less thing to worry about.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Fuel (or other) additives for used boat?

Hmm. Well in Ca you have "Reformulated Gasoline" (that includes using ethanol up to 10%)

It's different from all the gas in the rest of the country. Many states are mandating the use of ethanol up to 10% to be mixed the gas.

It's been around for several years and is not going away. In most cases you won't be able to tell it's got alcohol in it. Unless you do a simple test



Here's what Mercury says at: http://www.mercurymarine.com/servic...nance/faqs/mercruiser/?category=fuel#FuelType

Can I use reformulated or oxygenated fuels?

Reformulated (oxygenated) gasolines are required in certain areas of the USA and are acceptable for use in your Mercury MerCruiser engine. The two types of "oxygenates" used in these fuels are alcohol (ethanol) and ether (MTBE or ETBE). If the gasoline in your area contains either methanol (methyl alcohol) or ethanol, be aware of possible adverse effects. These adverse effects are more severe with methanol and worsen according to the percentage of alcohol in the fuel. Alcohol in gasoline can absorb moisture from the air, causing the water and the alcohol to separate from the gasoline in the fuel tank. For more detailed information, see the Ethanol FAQs under ?MerCruiser Frequently Asked Questions?.
IMPORTANT: The fuel system components in your MerCruiser engine will withstand up to 10% alcohol content in the gasoline. We do not know what percentage your boat?s fuel system will withstand. Contact your boat manufacturer for specific recommendations on your boat?s fuel system components (fuel tanks, fuel lines, and fittings).
Be aware that gasoline containing alcohol may cause increased:

• Corrosion of metal parts
• Deterioration of rubber or plastic parts
• Fuel permeation through rubber fuel lines
• Starting and operating difficulties

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Here's what Volvo Says at: http://www.volvopenta.com/volvopent.../alternative_fuels/ethanol/pages/ethanol.aspx

Recommendations when using 10% ethanol-blended (E10) fuel:

• The use of a water separating fuel filter between the fuel tank and the engine is recommended. See your Volvo Penta dealer for information regarding installation of the appropriate water separating fuel filter in accordance with US Coast Guard regulations and ABYC standards.
• Water separating fuel filters should be checked frequently for water and contaminates in accordance with the filter manufacturers recommended service intervals.
• The use of a commercially available fuel stabilizer such as STA-BIL? is recommended when storing ethanol-blended fuels for more than 2 weeks.

I've run it for years in everything I own. All the problems I have have not been related to fuel.....and I've never used any additives.......


If it makes you feel better using "Snake oil" additives, go for it!


Regards,


Rick

 

[sethjon]

Re: Fuel (or other) additives for used boat?

Why do you feel you need synthetic oil? Don't you think if the manufacturere thought they were better they would have recommended them? I never used synthetic and never had a problem due to bad oil.

 

[Gromulin]

Re: Fuel (or other) additives for used boat?

Here's what Volvo Says at: http://www.volvopenta.com/volvopent.../alternative_fuels/ethanol/pages/ethanol.aspx




I've run it for years in everything I own. All the problems I have have not been related to fuel.....and I've never used any additives.......


If it makes you feel better using "Snake oil" additives, go for it!


Regards,


Rick

Not looking for "snake oil", and have used Sta-Bil for years in other power equipment, but from what I recall it does not address water that has already phase seperated in the tank.

I've read some posts here about something called "sea foam" or something like that that will get the water out of the tank, but I know nothing about it. Besides water in the tank (I'll be installing a water-seperating filter, also, ASAP) the only other additive I'd consider would be a general-purpose cleaner to get rid of any gunk in the injectors...but if the concensus is to just run a tank full of good premium gas...well, thats why I came here to ask!

 

[Gromulin]

Re: Fuel (or other) additives for used boat?

Why do you feel you need synthetic oil? Don't you think if the manufacturere thought they were better they would have recommended them? I never used synthetic and never had a problem due to bad oil.

Only because I've have lots of non-boating motorhead friends, with lots of money invested in their toys..and they all seem to swear by Mobil-1. Just looking for the best long-term protection, thats all.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Fuel (or other) additives for used boat?

Not looking for "snake oil", and have used Sta-Bil for years in other power equipment, but from what I recall it does not address water that has already phase seperated in the tank.

I've read some posts here about something called "sea foam" or something like that that will get the water out of the tank, but I know nothing about it. Besides water in the tank (I'll be installing a water-seperating filter, also, ASAP) the only other additive I'd consider would be a general-purpose cleaner to get rid of any gunk in the injectors...but if the concensus is to just run a tank full of good premium gas...well, thats why I came here to ask!

Well, there's A LOT of people that use STABIL every year.

When I got my boat (from my brother in Ca) it hadn't been run for a little over a year and he told me that he didn't put any sort of stabilizer in the 25 or so gal of gas left in the 44 gal tank.

I of course drained it all out looking for water or other contamination. (didn't find any)

I did not use that gas in the boat because I had 3 cars that were a good place to dump it. Even after about a year and a half on the gas, the cars didn't run any different. The mix was about 1/2 for each car.


With the boat, I always put it away for the winter (stored inside my garage) at around 1/4 fuel level.

Then when I de-winterize in the spring..... I fill it up.

Stabil is probably a good product. but I think it's not required if you're storing todays gasoline for less than a year. .....AND you're going to add fresh gas... 2:1 (or better).....at least that's been my experience.


Re-formulated gasoline has a CARB and EPA mandated vapor pressure of 7psi. (same as AVGAS) It lasts A LOT longer than it did when the vapor pressures were higher........certainly from AUG or SEP until APR!

By the way, do you really believe what it says on the "pump" in a gas station?

Only because I've have lots of non-boating motorhead friends, with lots of money invested in their toys..and they all seem to swear by Mobil-1.

Those people are the MOST mis-informed about most everything..... Most of them think, if it costs more, it must be "better" And since they have lots of money to waste, they waste it!

Oil really doesn't matter in a boat.......... (EXCEPT, CHANGE IT and the filter before you store it!!)....boat engines usually fail for other than oil related problems.....