Ethanol conundrum

rjrose · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2011 3:42 pm

It seems like the more I read up on this topic, the more confusing it becomes. I have used 10% gasoline in my boat since I got it. So far, no problems (knocking on fake plastic wood). During that time I have also used some loads of non-ethanol gas. The majority of boaters in my area use 10% gasoline.

Do the fuel additives such as Valvetect and Startron remove water from the tank?

I remember seeing a post on here that in as little as 2 weeks, phase separation can occur. Maybe the key word is can. On occasion my boat has gone unused for a month without any known ill effects. While I know any amount of water is not good how much water would accumulate?

Do I need to consider replacing the fuel delivery tubes & hoses?

Is there any way to check the tanks for water?

Too many questions and not enough answers. If this has already been discussed/answered plz direct me to the link.

aguyindallas · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2011 4:09 pm

I am not sure if Valvtect will remove the water, but it is supposed to prevent phase seperation. I use it on my boat at pretty much every fill up.

Walt · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2011 4:10 pm

I can't NOT get ethonol in my gas, but haven't had any fuel related issues. I believe the biggest problem is related to fuel storage. I fill up every 2 outings/weekends during boating season, and treat the last few tanks of gas before winterization and have not had any actual issues starting or running the next season. Albeit, at slightly degraded performance, but not unlike non-ethanol gas before. I believe there is validity to some ethanol related problems, but think it's more about fuel turn-over/storage type issues.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2011 4:27 pm

You want to use this to remove any water. http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... &id=133095

Yes, the more you read........

Here is my take on this: As for us smaller boaters (I have a V258) we turn the fuel over in our tanks 3, 4, or even more times per season. So the fuel is being used before these "THINGS" can happen. I do add 3 or 4oz of waterzorb about every other month or when I think of it. Also I add stabilizer to the fuel every winter and fill the tank. I do carry a fuel filter on board, but also change it every spring which does with out saying.

We have a few large boats at the club that use gasoline, in the 32 to 38 foot range. They have bigger tanks, 100gal and more and don't go out that often. I have seen them have more problems with water!! My gut feeling is that the fuel needs to be turned over 3 or 4 times per year to prevent these things.

My next boat, I hope, will be a diesel. They are making them for us smaller boaters but with a price$$. They run better, better GPH, and less fuel problems. In a few years I would like to move up to a Vista 28 or 30 footer

298VISTA2000 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2011 9:34 pm

Honest techs say to keep a minimal amount of that piss water, I mean ethanol gas, in your tank over the winter and then put in a preservative. Come spring, you will want to fill your tank up with fresh piss water, I mean ethanol gas. Here is a recent thread on ethanol: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8332&start=0

ric · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2011 10:22 pm

your boat is a 2006, you have nothing to worry about. 10% fuel is 100% safe for your boat.

Indy Steve · **Posted:** Sun Sep 25, 2011 11:22 pm

ric wrote:

your boat is a 2006, you have nothing to worry about. 10% fuel is 100% safe for your boat.

As long as it doesn't sit for any extended periods when the phase seperation can occur.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:26 am

Indy Steve wrote:

ric wrote:

your boat is a 2006, you have nothing to worry about. 10% fuel is 100% safe for your boat.

As long as it doesn't sit for any extended periods when the phase seperation can occur.

And for water to form and/or build up in the tank.

wkearney99 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 26, 2011 9:39 am

Paul I. wrote:

Indy Steve wrote:

ric wrote:

your boat is a 2006, you have nothing to worry about. 10% fuel is 100% safe for your boat.

As long as it doesn't sit for any extended periods when the phase separation can occur.

And for water to form and/or build up in the tank.

Which isn't going to happen unless you've got a seriously defective setup. And very specific weather conditions involving dry/moist, hot/cold changes rapidly within single day time spans. As in, it ain't ever going to happen to most boats.

Yes, all kinds of things are theoretically possible.... like people believing in facts not unsupportable hype.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:04 am

Hit a rock and broke your prop? E10 is to blame. Trailer got a flat tire? Ethanol. Didn't change your oil in 2 years and threw a rod out the block? Ethanol did that. Getting horrible gas mileage running around the lake at wide open throttle pulling tubes and you feel like it should run all day on 5 gallons in your vista 348? E10. Stored your boat under a tarp since the fall of 2009 and just now took it on the lake without doing any tune up or maintenance what so ever and it died on you? Ethanol for sure. Burned your hot dogs? ethanol. Rained on your only sunday off? Ethanol. 20 year old original fuel filter clogged? Ethanol.

Ethanol and E10 gas is the blame for all our boating problems.

Decision · **Posted:** Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:47 pm

Ok ric, that was worth a chuckle.......

Pi$$ing Ethanol, I hate when it burns my hot dogs, and I rarely eat the things!!!

Mike.

298VISTA2000 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 26, 2011 6:22 pm

ric wrote:

Ethanol and E10 gas is the blame for all our boating problems.

Damn right. Blame everything on ethanol and our stupid government's meddling in the private sector. Ethanol has done nothing but cost us more money at the pump, raise our taxes ($6 Billion in subsidies per year!!), raise our food prices and is actually worse for health and the environment than regular gasoline. As for the maintenance headaches for boaters, I don't have them anymore now that I don't put that crap in my tanks but your solution is for the average boater to spend even more money for fuel preservatives, extra fuel filters and other preventative measures. Isn't boating expensive enough without having to pay for all of this? Vote for Herman Cain 2012.

wkearney99 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:16 pm

Um no. MTBE was significantly worse than ethanol will ever be. Ethanol isn't without it's issues, but there's more nonsensical hysteria about it than any amount of facts support. Sorta like the same nutjobs that rant on about vaccines...

www.iFourWinns.com

Ethanol conundrum

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