Help with Ethanol

Steveo · 11-03-2008, 09:54 AM

Now that the Alton Village Store gas station has finally gone to Ethanol we have lost the last place to protect our old boats. Can someone help me on what best to do to protect a 1985 Mercruser I/O. Should I add dry gas or some other additive with each tank full? Should boat be stored with gas tank dry or full? I also have a 1995 Ford F-150 that I store outside in the winter at the camp. Same question on storage for that please.

Thanks for any help.

TomC · 11-03-2008, 10:13 AM

Steveo, there is a new Sta-bil product designed to work where there is ethanol in the gas..

http://www.goldeagle.com/sta-bil/stabil_marine.htm

There is some more info in their marine FAQs:

http://www.goldeagle.com/sta-bil/faqs_stabil_marine.asp

wifi · 11-03-2008, 10:15 AM

Unfortunately, 'dry gas' IS ethanol....

ishoot308 · 11-03-2008, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steveo

Now that the Alton Village Store gas station has finally gone to Ethanol we have lost the last place to protect our old boats. Can someone help me on what best to do to protect a 1985 Mercruser I/O. Should I add dry gas or some other additive with each tank full? Should boat be stored with gas tank dry or full? I also have a 1995 Ford F-150 that I store outside in the winter at the camp. Same question on storage for that please.

Thanks for any help.

Here's a great article which help explains how ethanol affects boat engines... Interesting read.

http://www.boats.com/news-reviews/ar...expert-ethanol

Dan

Orion · 11-03-2008, 01:19 PM

The new Stabil product would leave one to believe it solves all problems with ethanol fuel. It probably does help, but does not address the key problem with ethanol, and that is the separation of ethanol when it absorbs moisture and creates waxy sludge.

We've got to repeal the ethanol mandate or at least ensure exemptions for marine use.

Aquadeziac · 11-05-2008, 06:38 PM

I believe Sta-bil green 'Marine' stabilizer is formulated to combat 'phase separation' as is Star-Tron.

VitaBene · 11-06-2008, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orion

The new Stabil product would leave one to believe it solves all problems with ethanol fuel. It probably does help, but does not address the key problem with ethanol, and that is the separation of ethanol when it absorbs moisture and creates waxy sludge.

We've got to repeal the ethanol mandate or at least ensure exemptions for marine use.

Orion,
It would be nice but I don't see the Feds changing their mandate. Also, the demand would need to be high enough for the distributors to carry it or provide it at a reasonable cost.

It is no different than the change they made last year with diesel fuel- it has caused a lot of problems but the Feds don't care much about that. I spent a few evenings changing deteriorated seals caused by the ULSD blends that were mandated.

robmac · 11-06-2008, 10:15 AM

The Feds and the auto manufacturers wanted ethanol for the same reasons. One to help lower emissions and the automakers for giving them the ability to produce higher HP vehicles but still being emission compliant and meeting the Cafe standards. I agree we won't be seeing a change anytime soon unlike MBTE that was found to be a gross polutant.

11-03-2008, 09:54 AM	#1
Steveo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 526 Thanks: 47 Thanked 123 Times in 63 Posts	Help with Ethanol Now that the Alton Village Store gas station has finally gone to Ethanol we have lost the last place to protect our old boats. Can someone help me on what best to do to protect a 1985 Mercruser I/O. Should I add dry gas or some other additive with each tank full? Should boat be stored with gas tank dry or full? I also have a 1995 Ford F-150 that I store outside in the winter at the camp. Same question on storage for that please. Thanks for any help.

11-03-2008, 10:13 AM	#2
TomC Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 816 Thanks: 42 Thanked 185 Times in 116 Posts	Sta-bil formulated for ethanol fuel Steveo, there is a new Sta-bil product designed to work where there is ethanol in the gas.. http://www.goldeagle.com/sta-bil/stabil_marine.htm There is some more info in their marine FAQs: http://www.goldeagle.com/sta-bil/faqs_stabil_marine.asp

11-03-2008, 01:19 PM	#5
Orion Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: MA Posts: 914 Thanks: 598 Thanked 193 Times in 91 Posts	Doesn't solve all problems The new Stabil product would leave one to believe it solves all problems with ethanol fuel. It probably does help, but does not address the key problem with ethanol, and that is the separation of ethanol when it absorbs moisture and creates waxy sludge. We've got to repeal the ethanol mandate or at least ensure exemptions for marine use.

11-05-2008, 06:38 PM	#6
Aquadeziac Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Concord NH Posts: 239 Thanks: 19 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	stabilizer I believe Sta-bil green 'Marine' stabilizer is formulated to combat 'phase separation' as is Star-Tron. __________________ "He who dies with the most toys wins"

11-03-2008, 10:15 AM	#3
wifi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 1,321 Thanks: 282 Thanked 287 Times in 169 Posts	Unfortunately, 'dry gas' IS ethanol....

11-06-2008, 10:15 AM	#8
robmac Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashua,Meredith Posts: 950 Thanks: 213 Thanked 106 Times in 81 Posts	The Feds and the auto manufacturers wanted ethanol for the same reasons. One to help lower emissions and the automakers for giving them the ability to produce higher HP vehicles but still being emission compliant and meeting the Cafe standards. I agree we won't be seeing a change anytime soon unlike MBTE that was found to be a gross polutant.