I have a question....what do you guys recommend for keeping your Sta-Bil fresh? 
Ethanol question
- Thread starter straightshooter1
- Start date
mwtdvm
Member
What about marine outboards??
From my limited contact with boat people is that they hate the idea of ethanol in their gas, mainly because or the havoc with orings, etc, What do you boaters in the forum think??
From my limited contact with boat people is that they hate the idea of ethanol in their gas, mainly because or the havoc with orings, etc, What do you boaters in the forum think??
DHENRY
Member
Ethanol is sub-quality, relatively inefficient crud.
Period.
Don
Period.
Don
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
I'm not as concerned with the ethanol in my suburban as I am about putting it in my boat. There are two places in my area that sell ethanol free gas and that's what I try to get for my boat. Berfore the proliferation of the ethanol, I was averaging 17-18 mpg. With the ethanol it's dropped to 16-17-a little less than 10% but noticeable nonetheless.
truckemup97
Member
Yes, but it's for the children!
The children of the corn?
Two of my cars have a noticeable difference in gas mileage when using ethanol blended fuel. 20% or better, which makes it worthwhile to seek out and pay a premium for ethanol free gas.
Not really wanting to get into a boating discussion on a S&W forum but that has been my business for 32 years so here goes. Try not to use ethanol fuel in outboard engines, 2 strokes see more negative effects than 4 strokes. Do not waste your money on Stabil, it does no good. Talk to your regular marine mechanic about how to store your boat's fuel system for the winter. If you have specific questions PM me. Happy boating.
venomballistics
Member
I gots to call this one.
Stroke cycle makes no difference.
the fuel system does.
I was a rather avid and accomplished model airplane pilot until I moved and lost regular access to my back yard airspace.
In this hobby, gasoline engines are fairly rare and seen only in giant scale. Everything else runs on a mixture of shine, nitomethane, and caster oil ...
These engine CID for CID would scare your favorite sports car power plants to death, outclassing them in every way, both in 2 and 4 stroke variants.
one such 4 stoke in my possession makes a solid 3 HP out of 1.2 CID
imagine that power to displacement ratio out of a 350CID V8
It can work if used correctly and if used correctly, you have nearly 900 HP under your hood
thing is, I never lost an engine to fuel. These things were designed to burn shine since the early to mid 1900's. I dont suffer the issues that seem to plague automotive implementations in model airplanes.
It boils down to the gasket materials.
shine munches rubber common to gas systems.
gas messes with silicone common to model shine systems.
Neoprene and teflon can live in either system.
I dont see a whole lot of either in cars .... because they have decided, for whatever reason, to stack the deck against alcohol
I used to work with a former fuel tanker driver, who told me what he saw as the REAL reason for "ethanol-free" fuels. Have you noticed that many of the ethanol-free stations are older, Mom-n-Pop type operations, or smaller brand franchises? According to him, many of these stations have old in-ground tanks, which have water seepage problems. The ethanol blends the water with the fuel, allowing it to be pumped out into vehicles, causing all kinds of problems with the way they run. Since even a rumor of selling "bad gas" can hurt a small station, they get the ethanol-free fuels. The groundwater stays underneath the gasoline, rather than being pumped out.
This is what I was told, and it may or may nor be factual. This driver had a lot of years hauling gasoline, avgas, diesel, and other fuels, so I paid attention to what he had to say.
While we have two boats I can't say I've had any trouble from alc in my fuel. We have sailboats and use old British Seagulls to push them when needed. Those things will either not run at all or run on anything, depending on thier mood.
OP
straightshooter1
US Veteran
I appreciate all the responses and "think" I understand it:
1. My 2007, being a later model, is okay for ethanol, won't be hurt by it.
2. I probably would get a bit better mileage with the ethanol free gasoline.
3. So, it's a matter of math. Determine if there is increased mileage and, if so, is it enough to counter the increased price of the ethanol free gasoline.
Right?
AFIK, that service station is the only one in my area offering the ethanol free gas, though there used to be some marinas where one could get their vehicle to the pump and gas up with gas that doesn't have ethanol.
Bob
1. My 2007, being a later model, is okay for ethanol, won't be hurt by it.
2. I probably would get a bit better mileage with the ethanol free gasoline.
3. So, it's a matter of math. Determine if there is increased mileage and, if so, is it enough to counter the increased price of the ethanol free gasoline.
Right?
AFIK, that service station is the only one in my area offering the ethanol free gas, though there used to be some marinas where one could get their vehicle to the pump and gas up with gas that doesn't have ethanol.
Bob
The Feds required all underground tanks upgraded years ago. The water is a result of high humidity air displacing fuel as it is sold. The sidewalls of the tanks are approx. 55 degrees year round, and once the tank is down 1/3 quite a bit is exposed. Another thing that happens is when the tank is refilled all the sediment goes into suspension and some gets dispensed. Each state supports ethanol differently, some states only allow ethanol and biodiesel to be sold. In my state ethanol is the midrange fuel octane-wise, but is fully supported by the ag community.
deralte
US Veteran
straightshooter1, while you are doing the math - keep in mind that the govt is already using some of your income tax to subsidize the production of ethanol.
scooter123
Member
From a Marine standpoint Ethanol blended fuels can get you killed. The problem is that marine fuel tanks are commonly vented to atmosphere. Since Ethanol absorbs water, the end result is problems with water in the gas. This causes the engine to miss severly at higher engine speeds and at lower engine speeds it can cause it to stall. If you've got a Great Lakes Freighter bearing down on you at 8 mph, it can get real nervous wondering if the engine will re-start soon enough. I expect at some point some boaters will get run over due to ethanol fuel mixes. It's bad enough that at the start of each season I siphon the tank in my boat as dry as I can get it. Then I replace the water seperator filter and purchase a spare to carry on board. I also know of some boaters that have installed double and triple stack of water seperating filters.
The other issues with ethanol blends in a marine environment is the damage it does to the fuel tanks. Most marine tanks were consructed using aluminum because it's light and was quite durable with pure gasoline. Unfortunately, ethanol blends cause aluminum tanks to corrode. A boater at my brother's marina had to pay 20 THOUSAND dollars in labor to have the tanks replaced on a 42 foot Marinette. As for why it was so expensive, the entire cabin had to be removed from the hull to replace the tanks. The stainless steel tanks he had put it also cost something like 6 grand.
BTW, I have yet to find one single marina that offers pure gasoline, in every case it's the same blend as you find on the street. The Feds have also increased the maximum allowed in a non marked fuel from 10% to 15%. Anyone want to buy a nice boat, I have one for sale, it's got a brand spanking new high torque starter in it.
I protect my outboard by always keeping the tank full when not in use. I installed a 10 micron water separator filter and use Startron fuel additive. I've been doing this for three years without a problem.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Heh heh heh..............as they say in da hood True Dat!!!!!!!!!!
Have not seen one of those in years but you're right-when they work it seems they'll run on beer but when they decide not to run the best AV gas in the world ain't gonna make them turn over-at least until yo get back to the dock
thndrchiken
Member
I give you DC politician's, only there can a case of rectal cranial inversion be considered a good thing.
Ethanol
A couple years ago I authored a report for the MN Dept of Commerce. Our governor requested information on the technical feasibility of mandating E20 statewide. Here is a link to this report. It is comprehensive and covers domestic and foreign data on E 10, 15, and 20. Written from an engineering standpoint. It covers recreational, nautical, and automotive applications. The bottom line - not recommended.
http://www.state.mn.us/mn/externalD...arkignited_engines_042308052144_E20Report.pdf
A couple years ago I authored a report for the MN Dept of Commerce. Our governor requested information on the technical feasibility of mandating E20 statewide. Here is a link to this report. It is comprehensive and covers domestic and foreign data on E 10, 15, and 20. Written from an engineering standpoint. It covers recreational, nautical, and automotive applications. The bottom line - not recommended.
http://www.state.mn.us/mn/externalD...arkignited_engines_042308052144_E20Report.pdf
jrm53
Member
I will not run the 10% alcohol in any thing, I buy from a station that does not sell ethanol gas. I ride a 1975 BMW R75 that has plastic floats in the carbs and this stuff will disolve them, also dont run it in weedeaters or chainsaws or lawnmowers or any small engine, it makes them run hot and and the repair bills will soon eat up any saving that you thought you were making. Jeff
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