Honda Winterization and ethanol

[JackCB]

We recently had a speaker at our fishing club that is a boat dealer and outboard motor repair shop. In discussing the problems with ethanol and winterizing the motor he mentioned that on Honda outboards a special fuel mixture containing oil must be run through the engine to lubricate the fuel pump prior to storage. If not he is suggesting the fuel pump could fail. I had never heard this before. Anyone else aware of this potential problem?

 

[hondon]

Re: Honda Winterization and ethanol

That info is nothing new and varies from whether you have a carb product,or efi a great deal,or if you are useing portable or permanent fuel tanks.E10 fuels are a magnet for water intrusion.They work fine in the automotive arena, but can be a real problem with sporadic marine use.What advice did that dealer give you ?I'mm sure you will get plenty of feedback here ,like it or not.FYI,E15 is right around the corner.

 

[psteurer]

Re: Honda Winterization and ethanol

I have a 2008 50hp carburetor model. The dealer I bought the motor from and another Honda dealer I buy parts both say the exact same thing: run the engine dry of fuel for long periods of non-use. My Honda owners manual says to drain the carburetor bowls for periods of non-use (there is a screw to do this). I would presume the later method would keep fuel in the fuel pump but not in the carburetor. The former method would have no fuel in the fuel pump or carburetor. Not sure which is the better method. I have been going with what the dealership recommends. I also completely drain my internal 19 gallon fuel tank for winter layup. So I have no fuel in the system at all. I would be curious what others know about this.

 

[JackCB]

Re: Honda Winterization and ethanol

I have a 1996 BF75 carb model Honda. I have always done my own winterization and to date no problems. Last winter was the first with ethanol. I use PRI-G stabilizer full time and run a 10 micron filter. Boat is stored outside on trailer in Maryland. This was the first any of us have heard about any fuel pump issues by leaving ethanol in over the winter. I have found some Dealers tend to use scare tactics as it is better for business. That does not mean they do not see ethanol problems but I believe they see the worst of the problems with boaters that do little if anything relative to ethanol. It is also amazing the differn't opinions on things like whether to leave tank near empty or full over the winter.
I did try to call Honda Marine direct but unlike a few years ago they now reroute you to their dealer network so was unable to get a direct answer to this question.
I am wondering if this fuel pump concern has more to do with water in the system than the actual fuel???

 

[psteurer]

Re: Honda Winterization and ethanol

From what I understand of the fuel tank issue, you should either completely empty the tank or have it completely full. I am running a Lund boat and both methods work according to the Lund owner's manual. That is a good idea to run a fuel stabilzer. I have been using just 1 oz of Sea Foam per gallon in my Honda. I did run Stabil a bit in the beginning of the season. Not sure how good Sea Foam would be for five months of non use during the off season.