Green Gasoline/Water in Fuel/Use of Fuel Additive

[muskyfins]

Last weekend, the 90 gal tank was at half full, so we stopped to fill up. Within a few seconds of fueling, some fuel burped out of the gas vent. (shouldn't have happened so quick, but that's a different topic I suppose) But the gas was green. Like diesel fuel green. I know there is no diesel fuel in the tank and I don't believe there is anywhere to buy diesel fuel on our body of water. And if there was diesel in the tank, I'd know by now. But, I'm just saying-it was that color.

But why so green? Almost chartreuse. I do use Startron fuel additive which is blue, but I would think even a quart in 90 gals of gas wouldn't turn it green. Or would it?

I don't think there is a water issue because #1, when I replaced the fuel filter this spring, the contents were pretty much all clear-no water. and #2, she runs super smooth. If there was a water issue, wouldn't I have noticed some surging and spitting, etc?

This weekend, I night try to pull a sample from the tank and see what I'm dealing with.

And I know this is a loaded question, but what do we all use for fuel additive? I like to use it as preventative I guess. I'm looking for some type of ethanol/water removing formula as well as something to keep the carb clean. I'm considering switching to Stabil's new 360 formula. Does anyone else, use some type of cleaning formula? I use automotive fuel system cleaners in my truck regularly and have great success keeping it running smooth and without fuel issues.

 

[Chris1956]

Can you give us a little more info? If you mix Pennzoil at 50::1, it looks like sea water. Was your fuel mixed for a two cycle motor?

Water will settle to the bottom of the tank. Can you siphon it out?

 

[muskyfins]

I'm not sure it actually is water. Actually, nothing but the color was any indicator of any issue. No running problems of any sort.

Fuel was not mixed. Not since I've owned it. But even when first purchased, never saw anything out of the ordinary in the filter. Just found it quite strange that the fuel that splashed out of the vent was green. Maybe I'm over reacting?

 

[superbenk]

Marine Stabil is a dark blue/green color. You sure the fuel wasn't treated with that?

 

[UncleWillie]

Marine Stabil is a dark blue/green color. You sure the fuel wasn't treated with that?

At 1 ounce per 10 Gallons, that's over 2000:1.
The color is so faint that it is hard to even detect.

 

[Chris1956]

Is it possible the fuel was tinted from the pump? Gasoline used to have definite colors in the 60s and 70s. SUNOCO was blue, EXXON was Red (I think). Also, some states tint fuel to indicate if tax was paid on it. In some states, marine gasoline has a different tax structure than highway gasoline, and is colored red.

Just some possibilities. Maybe your fuel tank is imparting the color? Does it have any copper components?

 

[Watermann]

I don't use any sort of fuel treatment and never have. I only use NON E premium fuel though and have a water separator just in case there's condensation. Good quality non e fuel cost less than additives with no ill side effects.

 

[muskyfins]

Here in the 6 counties that make up Chicago Metro area, there is no non-E fuel allowed on the road. Not sure about on the water, but I'd say there is no non-E fuel there either.

I'm positive it wasn't Sta-Bil. I used Startron. So dilution ratio about 720:1. Don't know if that would do it, but doubtful.

Diesel fuel here is tinted green indicating use for on highway use. Farm/off road diesel is tinted red. But if it was diesel I'd have known by now. Plus, how would it have gotten in there? I don't think any marinas on "the chain" sell diesel.

maybe it was nothing? Sunlight hit it just wrong? :noidea: It was freaky but I've had no side effects. This weekend I'll try to pull a sample.

No copper in the tank that I'm aware of. Unless some joker dropped in a few pennies to be funny.

And, I have zero indications that there are leaks in the tank. Gasoline has lower surface tension than water and can escape through smaller hole than water can get into. But I lost not a single drop of gasoline over winter storage indicating no leaks (or ways for water to get into tank)

I appreciate everyone bouncing ideas around. :star:

 

[Watermann]

Interesting, here in the liberal green mecca of WA State there are even fuel stations that sell everything fuel related you can think of from e85 to av gas and race gas. The non e premium is available at numerous filling stations.

Take a look at the fuel you pull out under shade and then in the sun. I'm wondering if the additive colored pigments won't show up in the shade.

 

[muskyfins]

There are a few places that sell race fuel at 100 octane, but you can't pump it directly into a vehicle and they limit you to 5 gallons I think.

 

[MTboatguy]

I think you have probably run into fuel that has been tinted to indicate type as well as taxes paid, we have several different tints in our gas here in MT, Of course Green for street legal diesel, Red for farm diesel, we also have green tint in our E-85, and a small blue tint in our premium non-E fuel, our medium grade E gas has a yellow tint. Your state probably has a similar tinting situation, of course now out tints change when we switch over to winter blends and then it is whole different ball game on what color your fuel is.

I have had the state troopers pull me over several times over the years to actually check the fuel in my vehicle to make sure I purchased the right fuel for running on the road.

 

[dingbat]

Interesting, here in the liberal green mecca of WA State there are even fuel stations that sell everything fuel related you can think of from e85 to av gas and race gas. The non e premium is available at numerous filling stations.

It's not a State thing. Congressional mandate

Reformulated gasoline (RFG) is gasoline blended to burn more clearly than conventional gasoline and to reduce smog-forming and toxic pollutants in the air we breathe. The RFG program was mandated by Congress in the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments. The first phase of the RFG program began in 1995 and the second (current) phase began in 2000.

RFG is required in cities with high smog levels and is optional elsewhere. RFG is currently used in 17 states and the District of Columbia. About 30 percent of gasoline sold in the U.S. is reformulated.

The air quality benefits RFG has achieved represent a significant part of the country's smog reduction strategy. The RFG program, combined with other industrial and transportation controls aimed at smog reduction, is contributing to the long-term downward trend in U.S. smog levels. About 75 million people breathe cleaner air because of RFG.

 

[muskyfins]

.....I have had the state troopers pull me over several times over the years to actually check the fuel in my vehicle to make sure I purchased the right fuel for running on the road.

Happens all the time here in the People's Republic of Illinois. And God forbid you're driving a commercial vehicle with red Diesel.:jaw:

 

[MTboatguy]

Happens all the time here in the People's Republic of Illinois. And God forbid you're driving a commercial vehicle with red Diesel.:jaw:

I have them check me more often when I am driving one of my diesels than I do when driving a gas vehicle, but I have had them stop and check my gas vehicles also. Fortunately, one of my diesels is actually classified as a farm truck, it is the one I use for snow plowing and I can drive it to town twice a year legally with no license plates on it, but every time I do, I get stopped for no plates, until they read the registration, they just don't believe the big orange triangle on the back of it!

 

[MTboatguy]

It's not a State thing. Congressional mandate

Reformulated gasoline (RFG) is gasoline blended to burn more clearly than conventional gasoline and to reduce smog-forming and toxic pollutants in the air we breathe. The RFG program was mandated by Congress in the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments. The first phase of the RFG program began in 1995 and the second (current) phase began in 2000.

RFG is required in cities with high smog levels and is optional elsewhere. RFG is currently used in 17 states and the District of Columbia. About 30 percent of gasoline sold in the U.S. is reformulated.

The air quality benefits RFG has achieved represent a significant part of the country's smog reduction strategy. The RFG program, combined with other industrial and transportation controls aimed at smog reduction, is contributing to the long-term downward trend in U.S. smog levels. About 75 million people breathe cleaner air because of RFG.

I understand reformulated fuel, but I didn't see in the new laws that it had to be tinted a certain color?

 

[Watermann]

I have had the state troopers pull me over several times over the years to actually check the fuel in my vehicle to make sure I purchased the right fuel for running on the road.

Really? Your State Police have that much time on their hands or are there just that many to go around? Our Troopers are way too busy doing drug interdiction popping tweakers and heroin junkies not to mention hauling in drunks.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Happens all the time here in the People's Republic of Illinois. And God forbid you're driving a commercial vehicle with red Diesel.:jaw:

Really? I have lived in Illinois for more than 20 years, and I've never even heard of this happening. Is this a Chicago-area thing?

 

[fhhuber]

Something that can turn gasoline (especially 10% ethanol gasoline...) green is BRASS. Just a brass fitting and time and the gas will turn green. Its corrosion of the brass.

If you have this you NEED a good fuel filter between tank and engine.The corrosion product include a suspended partical that can clog up your carbs.

I run into this all the time with small engines. I have a couple that use Walbro carbs which must be cleaned every 32 oz of fuel. (no good way to put a fine enough filter between tank and carb)

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, I have at least 4 brass fittings on my fuel system, and use 10% ethanol fuel. I have never seen any tint.....

 

[muskyfins]

Really? I have lived in Illinois for more than 20 years, and I've never even heard of this happening. Is this a Chicago-area thing?

Well, my experiences are only in the Chicago area, but we live 40 miles northwest (right where farm and suburbs collide) and my son was stopped twice within a year in his F-350. This was in 2012. And my buddy owns a gravel hauling business. He gets stopped at least a couple times per year for random "safety checks" and one of the things they check are fuel color. I believe its about a dollar per gallon cheaper.