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Ethanol in older motors
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| Mr T |
Posted on 12/12/09 - 7:38 AM
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Here in California we have E10 ethanol gas and it is about impossible to find it without the added alcohol.
I keep hearing horror stories about what it does to motors, and am concerned about the effect it is going to have on my 1990 Evinrude 88SPL.
Should I change any lines out? Do I need additives? I've heard Stabil makes a formula for this type of gas.
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| Tom W Clark |
Posted on 12/12/09 - 8:39 AM
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Your 1990 Evinrude 88SPL is designed to run well with fuel with up to 10 percent ethanol (E10). Do not worry too much about your motor.
Your fuel delivery system may need some attention. If you have a fiberglass fuel tank (Pate brand tanks were very common on Whalers) you should replace it. Fiberglass fuel tanks are not holding up well with E10.
Likewise, your fuel hoses should be new enough that they are rated for use with ethanol.
My own motors are 1989 models and have suffered zero bad effects from E10 here in Washington over the last two years. None, zip, nada.
My best advice is to use the fuel you buy and not leave it in the tank for months on end without use.
I talking with my outboard mechanic about the problems of E10, he advises not to go nuts with additives. The only problems he has seen are the result of *too much* additive and mixing different kinds. There is that old tendency to think that if a little medicine is good, more is better. Not so.
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| MW |
Posted on 12/12/09 - 10:19 AM
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A few member's here suggested "Sea Foam" fuel additive/fuel preserver. I'm "NOT" big on additives but, I have to admit that this stuff really work's. I would at least add "Carbon Guard" (available at the dealer) to my fuel to prevent carbon build up, it's cheaper than "Sea Foam" 1 oz. treats 8 gallons of gas. Yammi user's are to add "Ring Free", I have a friend who ignored the warning from both myself, and the dealer, his boat is now at the dealer getting the fuel polished (filtered to remove the "phase" seperation of water mixed with fuel) in his tank, alcohol attract's water, not good for a boat engine. "Sea Foam" (available at any automotive store), it's CHEAP insurance !
Matt |
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| Mr T |
Posted on 12/12/09 - 8:47 PM
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Thanks guys it makes me breathe easier about the issue.
The fuel tank and lines are all new, bought in the last 6 months so they are good. (moeller tank, West marine ethanol rated fuel line).
I run Sea Foam every 40 hours of use. It's probably a bit of overkill but I was told that this motor is known for being very intolerant of fuel build up and I figure it really can't hurt- can it?
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| MW |
Posted on 12/12/09 - 10:09 PM
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I run about 1 oz of "Sea foam" per gallon every time I add fuel mix. The SPL series was a reliable motor (not much on it to break), they do have a tendancy to eat "Piston" rings due to "Carbon" Build up (least my old 48 spl did, I rebuilt it). The carbon built up on the rings, then hung up on an internal clip and broke the ring, mashing it into the "Head".
Matt |
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| modenacart |
Posted on 12/13/09 - 6:36 AM
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I would also talk with an authorized deal or contact the OEM to see what additives they recommend, if any.
They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety.
--Benjamin Franklin |
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| Derwd24 |
Posted on 12/13/09 - 7:53 AM
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I know Sea Foam is good at cleaning out a gummed up carburetor, but does it also de-carb too on combustion like Ring-Free and similar additives? I've used the Deep Creep method, just wasn't sure about SeaFoam in that regard.
Dave - 1983 Outrage 22 |
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| Tom W Clark |
Posted on 12/13/09 - 9:10 AM
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Sea Foam is a solvent based additive that helps remove carbon deposits and prevent their build up. It has nothing to do with ethanol, the topic of this discussion.
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| Derwd24 |
Posted on 12/13/09 - 9:17 AM
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Thanks Tom!
Dave - 1983 Outrage 22 |
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| MW |
Posted on 12/13/09 - 9:56 AM
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Sea foam is a blend of petrolium oils, and is an "OIL" based formula, in addition to "Cleaning" and "Lubricating" it has an "oil" based petrolium moisture drier in it that make's "Moisture" back into Hydrogen and Oxygen, it eliminates it from oil and fuel safely.
Matt |
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| Tom W Clark |
Posted on 12/13/09 - 10:41 AM
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It will freshen your breath too!
All kidding aside, "oil" and "solvent" are not mutually exclusive terms.
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| MW |
Posted on 12/13/09 - 11:00 AM
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Would'nt work on my breath, I'm just saying that I use the sea foam because, fuel today is such poor quality. I usually don't use additives but, this stuff seem's to help burn the "Crummy" E-85.
Matt |
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