jimh wrote:I have used many gallons of ethanol-gasoline blended fuel in my boat fuel tank in the last ten years, and never had any problems.
I would venture to guess that your fuel system is 100% compatible with ethanol laced fuel then.
Perhaps you are diligent as well with keeping the tank topped off year round to minimize water being introduced into the fuel tank.
You are lucky.
My own personal experience as well as 20 plus years with the local TowBoatUS company suggest your experience is not the norm.
When ethanol was introduced the recreational industry was far from being ready to adapt, and as far as that goes, is still not ready for concentrations higher then 10%.
BoatUS has been a staunch supporter of reducing or eliminating ethanol fuel in the marine environment.
They have published a ton of information on the fuel and it's consequences to the end user.
http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/ethanol.asphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z6IoogVdRQThe small engine industry has suffered as well, your lawnmowers, weed wackers, generators etc.
E-15 should not be used with any gasoline engine not specifically designed to use it, which is mostly 2001 and newer automobiles.
The use of E-15 is not approved and is a violation of federal law for use in any product not mandated for it's use by law.
Although finding the exact wording of the law is not that easy.
July 25, 2011 Federal Register"Phase separation" is a real concern with ethanol fuel.
"A Department of Energy study several years ago found that E15 caused hotter operating temperatures in small engines, erratic starting and engine part failure. But, the study also found that even E10 damages small engines. Ethanol settles out of gasoline, attracts moisture and, in sufficient quantities, corrodes engine parts."jimh wrote:But ethanol-gasoline blended fuels are used daily by millions of modern automobiles, and there really are no systematic problems caused by them.
1) Since 2001 automobiles have been built to work with E-10
2) The average automobile user is not storing gasoline in their tank for 6 month to a year or more. Used daily, the main downside to E-10 or E-15 is reduced fuel economy.
To the OP.
I might be lucky, but I use a fuel stabilizer with ethanol stabilizer with all my non automobile equipment. I think I have had good luck with exception of my Onan 5500 RV carbureted generator.
Every gallon of gasoline i purchase whether it goes in the boat, the RV's onboard fuel tank or gasoline jugs gets treated.
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