Maintenance

[SeaRay Eddy]

Hi, I have a 2002 182BR with a 4.3L mercruiser. I’m wondering what additives or motor treatments I should add throughout the year? I always use premium gas. I just want to know if there’s anything you guys add throughout your boating season to help take care of your motors. Thanks!

 

[andy k]

Does your Premium gas have ethanol in it?

I run the mercury additive for each fill up and run the mercury quick store fuel stabilizer in fall prior to winter layup.

 

[SeaRay Eddy]

Does your Premium gas have ethanol in it?

I run the mercury additive for each fill up and run the mercury quick store fuel stabilizer in fall prior to winter layup.

Hi there, I use 94 octane and they say it contains up to 10% ethanol. Which mercury additive do you use? Thanks

 

[andy k]

I always seek out ethanol free fuel. so I am not sure on the additives that should be used with ethanol fuel. I don't think that you will get much of a benefit from 94 octane vs 87 or 89. In order to get ethanol fuel around here you have to use premium. If ethanol fee fuel was available in 87 I would use 87.

 

[SeaRay Eddy]

I always seek out ethanol free fuel. so I am not sure on the additives that should be used with ethanol fuel. I don't think that you will get much of a benefit from 94 octane vs 87 or 89. In order to get ethanol fuel around here you have to use premium. If ethanol fee fuel was available in 87 I would use 87.

Awesome, thanks!

 

[BillK2632]

I put that same additive in my 4.3 and stabilize the fuel in the fall at layup. We have non-ethanol fuel at my marina so it it probably not necessary, but I figure it can't hurt. Other than that, nothing really - change the oil and gear lube annually and keep up with the other maintenance items and that motor will last a long time.

 

[sbw1]

We use alcohol free premium with valvetech added to it. Buy it at a marina and all that is needed is already in the fuel.

 

[scoflaw]

I use ethanol fuel at every fill, no additives and no problemo. I use my boat almost daily so that part matters

 

[atrick]

Why are you people so against ethanol fuel in boats?? It works the same as regular gas, been running it since 1989 in my maxium with chev 305 which I bought new with no additives added except for winter storage and its got 700 hours on it and I just rebuilt carb this year for first time and it runs like a champ same with my searay with 4.3 chev with 800 hours on motors and had it for last 4 years and finally rebuilt carbs for first time this years also. Fuel lines are all good shape and original in both boats. Never had a problem with ethanol fuel in my last 30 years of boating! I don't like it in the fuel but I have to use it thanks to the government.

 

[MonacoMike]

Why are you people so against ethanol fuel in boats?? It works the same as regular gas, been running it since 1989 in my maxium with chev 305 which I bought new with no additives added except for winter storage and its got 700 hours on it and I just rebuilt carb this year for first time and it runs like a champ same with my searay with 4.3 chev with 800 hours on motors and had it for last 4 years and finally rebuilt carbs for first time this years also. Fuel lines are all good shape and original in both boats. Never had a problem with ethanol fuel in my last 30 years of boating! I don't like it in the fuel but I have to use it thanks to the government.

Because it it trash!

You have been lucky.

You have not been using E-10 ethanol for 30 years.

No boats built before around 2011 are built to run E-10.

We do not have to use it, https://www.pure-gas.org/

Ethanol has a shelf life of 90 days until it begins deterioration. Gasoline 12 months stable life.

The octane of the base gasoline is generally 3-4 octane less than advertised then high octane ethanol is added to create the advertised value.

MM

 

[scoflaw]

MM do some homework..E10 has been approved waaaay before 2011.

 

[atrick]

ethanol is here whether you like it or not! Get used to it learn how to deal with it and quit crying about it and no there's not luck involved but knowing how to deal with it, and been running it in my 1989 since they first put it in gas at the pumps!!

 

[MonacoMike]

Because it it trash!

You have been lucky.

You have not been using E-10 ethanol for 30 years.

No boats built before around 2011 are built to run E-10.

We do not have to use it, https://www.pure-gas.org/

Ethanol has a shelf life of 90 days until it begins deterioration. Gasoline 12 months stable life.

The octane of the base gasoline is generally 3-4 octane less than advertised then high octane ethanol is added to create the advertised value.

MM

MM do some homework..E10 has been approved waaaay before 2011.

Did not say it wasn't...

MM

 

[scoflaw]

Did not say it wasn't...

MM

You certainly did.. "No boats built before around 2011 are built to run on E-10"
So untrue

 

[El Capitan]

I drive 20 miles to buy Ethanol free gasoline. It is Rec 90.

I discovered the benefits and advantages of non ethanol fuel while driving my truck through Canada. My truck all of a sudden sounded stronger, deeper rumble, better responsiveness and acceleration.

As I dove back in to US and filled w ethanol gas I again noticed the difference.

Add to that the fact most marinas sell ethanol free gas because the corn alcohol attracts water and since gas tends to sit in boats far longer generally than cars, and the destructive nature of water in your gas tank and carb/efi it was validation to me.

Search YouTube for examples of what ethanol gas can do to your motors.

I use Rec 90 in my truck, Harley, and Sea Ray. No fuel related problems... and both boat and bike are 1970’s w original tanks.

 

[MonacoMike]

Because it it trash!

You have been lucky.

You have not been using E-10 ethanol for 30 years.

No boats built before around 2011 are built to run E-10.

We do not have to use it, https://www.pure-gas.org/

Ethanol has a shelf life of 90 days until it begins deterioration. Gasoline 12 months stable life.

The octane of the base gasoline is generally 3-4 octane less than advertised then high octane ethanol is added to create the advertised value.

MM

You certainly did.. "No boats built before around 2011 are built to run on E-10"
So untrue

MM do some homework..E10 has been approved waaaay before 2011.

I said nothing about "approved" in my statement. When the big ethanol push, in the early 2000's, came down many manufacturers were warning of its use, fighting to stop it from having to change their their boats and stated that their boats were not ready to run it. Based on what manufacturers said then is what I based my comment on. Believe what you like.

MM

 

[scoflaw]

You have basically the same engines as mine. So... service manual #23 section 1B page 14.

I know you like the last word, so have a read and post back. I understand how you hate to eat your own words. LOL. Reread your 4th line on post 10,

 

[GypsmJim]

35 year old Mercruiser, been running 87 octane e10 ethanol for "many years". When they told us we had it they also said we were using it for about 3 years, but didn't tell us.

So, a 1984 Mercruiser that's never needed a carb rebuild. Also, a 1953 Evinrude outboard that still runs like a champ. Add to that 1970 and 1980 outboards and all my lawn equipment that goes back to about a 1960 model mower.

I keep the tanks full, just because when I go out I don't want to stop and waste time on the way. In September I start adding stabil to each tank so when I winterize I don't have to do anything.

Read Mercury Marine's article about the myths of ethanol.

Yes, I hate it, its not right to waste the energy to produce it, yada yada. OTOH, its a great thing because its given many people an excuse for something to blame instead of their own poor maintenance.

 

[MonacoMike]

You have basically the same engines as mine. So... service manual #23 section 1B page 14.

I know you like the last word, so have a read and post back. I understand how you hate to eat your own words. LOL. Reread your 4th line on post 10,

This is what my manual says. Color coded to make it easier to see they did say, colored blue, the engine will "withstand" not thrive on up to E-10 fuel. Then in the red text they tell the bad things I have been saying they said...


From my manual:

Using Reformulated (Oxygenated) Gasolines (USA Only)

This type of gasoline is required in certain areas of the USA. The two types of “oxygenates” used in these fuels is Alcohol (Ethanol) or Ether (MTBE or ETBE). If Ethanol is the “oxygenate” that is used in the gasoline in your area, refer to “Gasolines Containing Alcohol” also.

These “Reformulated Gasolines” are acceptable for use in your MerCruiser engine. CA277
Gasolines Containing Alcohol

If the gasoline in your area contains either “methanol” (methyl alcohol) or “ethanol” (ethyl alcohol), you should be aware of certain adverse effects that can occur. These adverse effects are more severe with “methanol”. Increasing the percentage of alcohol in the fuel can also worsen these adverse effects.

Some of these adverse effects are caused because the alcohol in the gasoline can absorb moisture from the air, resulting in a separation of the water/alcohol from the gasoline in the fuel tank.

The fuel system components on 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 specif- ic recommendations on the boats fuel system components (fuel tanks,fuel lines, and fittings). Be aware that gaso- lines 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.
  
  
  MM

 

[MonacoMike]

35 year old Mercruiser, been running 87 octane e10 ethanol for "many years". When they told us we had it they also said we were using it for about 3 years, but didn't tell us.

So, a 1984 Mercruiser that's never needed a carb rebuild. Also, a 1953 Evinrude outboard that still runs like a champ. Add to that 1970 and 1980 outboards and all my lawn equipment that goes back to about a 1960 model mower.

I keep the tanks full, just because when I go out I don't want to stop and waste time on the way. In September I start adding stabil to each tank so when I winterize I don't have to do anything.

Read Mercury Marine's article about the myths of ethanol.

Yes, I hate it, its not right to waste the energy to produce it, yada yada. OTOH, its a great thing because its given many people an excuse for something to blame instead of their own poor maintenance.

Some are luckier than others, not everyone that smokes cigarettes everyday gets cancer...


I would rather read my original manual than a statement the federal government pushed on the manufacturers to support them and the ethanol boondoggle...

MM