Only ETOH Avail this Fall?

[Hampton]

My marina is only carrying 10% ethanol gas now. The manager says all gas will have ETOH by the end of the year. From the link that FC3 posted in the oil discussion thread, (Don't use alcohol):

http://mercurymarine.com/serviceandwarranty/mercruiserfaqs/fueloil.php#1124

EFI: V8 350,454 & 502 cid. (Note 5 provides requirements for specific serial numbers)
US/CAN - 87 (R+M)/2 minimum octane unleaded regular or premium without alcohol, DO NOT USE Leaded Gasoline (Notes 2&3)

Notes 2 & 3:

If gasoline with alcohol must be used, periodically inspect complete fuel system for leaks and do not store fuel in boat's fuel tank for long periods of time.
To increase valve life on all MerCruiser engines, the following recommendations should be considered:
Use a propeller that allows engine to operate at or near the top of its maximum RPM range when at full throttle with a normal boat load.
Operation at 3/4 throttle setting or lower is recommended. Refrain from prolonged operation at maximum (full throttle) RPM.

So, will all gas have alcohol later this year? If so, my buddy with a 50 will be getting his 55 or 60 sooner than later (just opened an ethanol plant on his farm).

 

[fwebster]

Time to move up to a diesel, John..............Tommy's boat has Cummins QSM-11's. Even if he owns an ethanol plant, his diesel is not a blend.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Most states already have E10 and will be or are running E10 in marina's. I believe CO already does this.

You have a newer boat (post 1999). You should be fine. My owners manual states that I can use up to E10... Read yours to check. I've been running E10 in my boats since day one with no ill effects since I trailer...

 

[fc3]

E10 is awful, but it doesn't have to be horrible.

Rules for E10
E10 gas is unstable. Don't buy more fuel than you will use in a week or two
Store the boat with empty tanks
Stabilize the stuff! You can't use too much stabilizer.
Change filters regularly.
Strip the water off the bottom of the tanks once a year or so. I usually get some water when I do this.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[giff1]

fc3- I'm interested, how do You strip water off the bottom of your tanks. Do you use DryGas chemicals or do you have another way?

Thanks, Giff1

 

[fc3]

Sea Ray installs the fuel fills such that the filler is just above the aft end of the tank. Therefore simply dipping a syphon tube into the tank until it reaches the bottom. Then just drain off a couple of gallons. Filter the fuel through a water excluding filtering funnel to reclaim it and throw the remainder in the filter away.

 

[osd9]

.... Do you use DryGas chemicals or do you have another way?,,,,

E-10 'is' dry gas. That's he last thing you want to do is add more alcohol.

I remember when NJ first went to E-10 about 3 years ago. I admit that since going to diesel, I'm not as 'up' on E-10 as I once was, but a big concern was the actual switch from non E-10 to E-10. You don't want to mix the two. Before switching, try and run your tanks as low as possible....obviously don't go running an inlet or take an extended Ocean trip to do this. The Non E-10 will not 'absorb' the water in the tank. The E-10 will. There is usually 'some' water in the bottom of the tank. When you switch to E-10, Fill to the top. If you only put a small amount of E-10 in the tank, there maybe enough water for the small amount of E-10 to absorb and saturate....that is when phase seperation occurs. By filling the tank, you lessen the chance of phase seperation on your first tank/experience with E-10. Run that first tank out....good excuse to go boating....and then change the filters......

That was my experience.....YMMV....

 

[osd9]

.....Strip the water off the bottom of the tanks once a year or so. I usually get some water when I do this.

Best regards,
Frank

Frank.....I would think with E-10 that there would be NO water in the bottom of the tank. If there was, then the E-10 would have saturated....no???

 

[Hampton]

Time to move up to a diesel, John..............Tommy's boat has Cummins QSM-11's. Even if he owns an ethanol plant, his diesel is not a blend.

C'mon, Frank. I know Tommy has diesels, and diesel isn't blended. My comment was based on the profit that he'll be making if every drop of gas in the US is forced to be blended with 10% ethanol. With that kind of market, he'll be moving up sooner than later.

 

[fxsales]

I'm not sure, but I know I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but.. I've been told by our dockmaster that ethanol is added at the storage facility. We currently buy 90 octance with no ethanol. We were previously using 87, but the distributor decided they could make more money if they only offered it as 90 ovctane or better. We only have a 4000 gallon tank at the club so we don't need a big truck. I think it will be up to the distributors to blend or not to blend. Our pump price now is $2.96, and expected to fall another dime of so with the next delivery... Membership has it's benefits... :thumbsup:

 

[fc3]

Frank.....I would think with E-10 that there would be NO water in the bottom of the tank. If there was, then the E-10 would have saturated....no???

I don't do the chemistry, Dom. I just know that E10 can pull enough moisture from the air that phase separation does happen. And I pulled water from the bottom of my tanks this spring. Other guy's mileage might vary...

I'm not sure, but I know I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but.. I've been told by our dockmaster that ethanol is added at the storage facility. We currently buy 90 octance with no ethanol. We were previously using 87, but the distributor decided they could make more money if they only offered it as 90 ovctane or better. We only have a 4000 gallon tank at the club so we don't need a big truck. I think it will be up to the distributors to blend or not to blend. Our pump price now is $2.96, and expected to fall another dime of so with the next delivery... Membership has it's benefits... :thumbsup:

E10 is so unstable that it must be blended at the point of distribution to avoid problems. Paid $2.74 this weekend... minus $0.10 Boat/US discount. Diesel was $2.21, I think.... oh well.