Boat Storage

[Sr SQ]

I would not be storing any fuel with ethanol…………just my $.02[/QUOT

Why ?????

2 words…..Phase seperation

The problem with fuel that contains ethanol stems from a process called phase separation. When gasoline that contains ethanol sits unused for long periods the ethanol absorbs water and the alcohol content of the fuel increases. Gasoline bought at land-based stations remains stable for no more than 90 days before it starts to break down. Because water is heavier than gasoline, it sinks to the bottom of a boat’s gas tank. Come spring, when you start your engine and the fuel pump starts drawing what is supposed to be gasoline, it’s sucking in the water.
This water also contributes to corrosion sitting in the bottom of the fuel tank ( aluminium ones) and carb bowls.
Left long enough it turns into this jelly like brown goo that plugs everything, it sucks to clean out.

I would imagine some of the stabilizers would help but I just pump it out into the car after I'm done for the season so I dont have to deal with it.

 

[Dennis.t]

2 words…..Phase seperation

The problem with fuel that contains ethanol stems from a process called phase separation. When gasoline that contains ethanol sits unused for long periods the ethanol absorbs water and the alcohol content of the fuel increases. Gasoline bought at land-based stations remains stable for no more than 90 days before it starts to break down. Because water is heavier than gasoline, it sinks to the bottom of a boat’s gas tank. Come spring, when you start your engine and the fuel pump starts drawing what is supposed to be gasoline, it’s sucking in the water.
This water also contributes to corrosion sitting in the bottom of the fuel tank ( aluminium ones) and carb bowls.
Left long enough it turns into this jelly like brown goo that plugs everything, it sucks to clean out.

I would imagine some of the stabilizers would help but I just pump it out into the car after I'm done for the season so I dont have to deal with it.

That's what I have been doing with my other outboards, disposing of the fuel (waste of money, hence my fuel stabilizer questions) once finished for the season and buying fresh when the time arrives to start boating again. I don't think my truck or car would like mixed gas however!

 

[sly_karma]

Premium gas has no ethanol, is that correct?

 

[Tugcapitan]

Depends on the station. Chevron premium says "94 octane - contains no ethanol" right on the pump.

 

[sly_karma]

Guess I better check with the distributor where I get Marked Premium.

 

[Dennis.t]

Not sure if this tidbit of info is true. Was told by a person who works at a local boating establishment that a 2 stroke outboard is designed to run on regular octane fuel. You must however use a additive that rids the ethanol from the regular fuel.

 

[Dennis.t]

Depends on the station. Chevron premium says "94 octane - contains no ethanol" right on the pump.

Thanx for that, I know where I will be fueling up from on!

 

[trendsetter]

Not sure if this tidbit of info is true. Was told by a person who works at a local boating establishment that a 2 stroke outboard is designed to run on regular octane fuel. You must however use a additive that rids the ethanol from the regular fuel.

Most outboards are designed to run on regular 87 octane fuel. Some are not; check your owners manual. You do not need to use any additives to "rid the ethanol" from the fuel. All outboards since about 1980 have been compatible with e10 ethanol fuels.

 

[trendsetter]

Thanx for that, I know where I will be fueling up from on!

Shell 91 vPower is also ethanol free if you want to spend the extra cash. However your motor will run just fine on 87 regular with ethanol.

 

[Franko Manini]

Most outboards are designed to run on regular 87 octane fuel. Some are not; check your owners manual. You do not need to use any additives to "rid the ethanol" from the fuel. All outboards since about 1980 have been compatible with e10 ethanol fuels.

Absolutely correct. The post 1980 outboards will run beautifully on e10, but that is not the concern. The issue arises when the ethanol slowly comes put of solution with the gasoline over time. Ethanol is hygroscopic and forms strong hydrogen bonds with water in the atmosphere. Every molecule of ethanol bonds with multiple water molecules and this conglomeration sinks to the bottom of the tank and becomes even less soluble in gasoline. Over time you end up with a layer of water in your tank that I promise you, your engine will not run well on.

Note that water will form hydrogen bonds and complex with gasoline too. There are MANY compounds in gasoline including hexane, octanes, nonanes, and other complex hydrocarbons. All will bind water to varying degrees, but none as strongly as ethanol which is both polar and has the potential to hydrogen bond. The ethanol greatly accelerates the process.

One solution to this issue is to add methyl hydrate to your fuel before you fire upon the spring. It is often sold as fuel line antifreeze. Methyl hydrate forms stronger bonds with water than ethanol, and therefor pulls the water away from the ethanol. So what... It is still in a layer in the tank right? Actually, methyl hydrate is more soluble in gasoline so it helps distribute the water back into solution where your engine can tolerate small concentrations.

The best way to store your boat is with the tank absolutely full to minimize the interface between air and the fuel and add some stabilizer which helps keep water from aggregating in a single layer, among other things. Alternatively, store your boat with a totally empty tank. My only concern here would be the formation of condensation particularly in aluminum tanks due to temperature and humidity changes.


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[jbv]

now that's an explanation!!