www.iFourWinns.com

So I just bought my boat. '97 200 w/5.7 GLi. Previous owner has only run it once in the last three years and told me the current gas in it is treated, but probably close to three years old. When we test ran it, he could tell there was some bogging at the top end.

My question is...just run it through and add more fresh gas to it as I run it out? Drain it all and start fresh?

Also, what gas do you run? 93 from the local gas station (which has ethanol) or only on the water gas w/o the ethanol? My father in law says don't use the gas station gas with ethanol, but he is older and very old school.

Thanks
New owner/boater!

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[img][IMG]http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll199/ejjones55/IMG_0998.jpg[/img][/img]
1997 Four Winns Horizon 200 Volvo 5.7L GLi
Towed: 2004 Ford F-150 Lariat 4x4
Riverview, MI

Many opinions on this. My boat and engine are much older than yours'- so take this with a grain of salt...
My Merc 228 calls for 90 octane gas... I run normal 89 octane from the local gas station (yes with ethanol). Never had any issues here in West Michigan. My timing is set for this fuel, and I use the normal (non-marine) stabil in the fall to winterize. I just had my fuel tank open to replace the sender this spring, and it looks clean inside with no sign of water. I replace my fuel filter every fall and check it for water as well (pour into glass jar).
If the fuel is 3 years old, I would consider draining the tank and possibly mix it in to use on a more forgiving engine (I would think if the fuel looks okay with no signs of water you may consider adding a few gallons to a nearly full tank on a vehicle equipped to run E85 for example). I'm absolutely NOT an expert- so let others chime in as well!

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-Andrew

1984 Four Winns 225 Sundowner
5.0L Mercruiser, Alpha 1

Do not put any Ethanol fuel in until you have worked through or pumped out the old fuel. See paragraph three for why.

Personally, I would have the tank pumped out and start fresh. If you do, you can run 10% Ethanol, or Non-ethanol fuel. Three year old gas is pretty old even if treated, and it has had a lot of time to accumulate water. May also have some breakdown into varnish. (how does it smell?)

I have the carbureted version of your engine, and I run 10% Ethanol all the time. However, I did have a problem when I first purchased the boat and converted to Ethanol. The previous owner had run only non-ethanol, and had also allowed some water into the tank because he did not have an O-ring on the fuel cap. The first time I put 10% Ethanol in, it absorbed the water from the bottom of the tank and caused problems until I had it pumped out. No problems since then (3 years and counting).

There are also some known issues with Ethanol and the high pressure fuel pumps used with the fuel injection system. This is for a certain range of years, where Volvo Penta painted the pumps inside and out. The Ethanol would dissolve the paint on the inside, which would cause problems and fuel pump failure. I don't think your 1997 engine would be part of those years affected (but somebody else might know for sure).

Ray

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Put in a couple of bottles of octane booster, inspect the water separator (or carry a spare) and limit the throttle.
This could be an excuse for a long boat cruise!

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2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

I'm afraid to what "older" means specifically

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

If at all possible, I think I'd want to get rid of that gas, and inspect the tank for any water. If its all good, then you are starting out knowing that you won't have problems. You can use 10% ethanol without problems, if you keep water out of your tank (and there was none to start with) and you make sure the o ring on your gas cap does not leak.
You can make your decision based on what's available in your area. If all the gas is E10 then you have to deal with that and the issues that can crop up. If not straight gas is preferable. We have no choice. Mandated by EPA to use E10. If its been sitting for 3 years I would not be surprised if you need to clean & rebuild the carb at some point.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Pull your fuel water separator off and pour it into a jar and see if you have water in it.

If so I might replace it and try again. If you quickly see water again I would get rid of the gas.

Prior to pumping the gas out I would add stabilizer and go for a burn to mix it in. This way the water gets absorbed into the gas and when you pump the tank you can get all the water.

Ethonal gas in my opinion is a bitch, but not the end of the world.

If you run it, make sure you have stabilizer for the winter to avoid another water issue.

Good luck.

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2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

Sounds to me like the previous owner ran non-government mandated gas and you will be asking for trouble it you convert over to E-10 now.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

Good call on the O-rings! I just bought a new package of about 25 for my gas cap on amazon for about $3. Planning to replace yearly going forward, or if obviously needed.

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-Andrew

1984 Four Winns 225 Sundowner
5.0L Mercruiser, Alpha 1

I replace those plastic Perko gas caps every couple of seasons. The cheap plated gas fill FW used tends to tear up the threads and then they become difficult to remove/install. A lil bit of motor oil on the threads helps them last longer.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Previous owner told me he would just fill up at the local gas station and use premium 93 oct at the pump.

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[img][IMG]http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll199/ejjones55/IMG_0998.jpg[/img][/img]
1997 Four Winns Horizon 200 Volvo 5.7L GLi
Towed: 2004 Ford F-150 Lariat 4x4
Riverview, MI