June 20th, 2007 - Understanding E-10 Gasoline Issues |
This section is dedicated to providing information sources, re the topic, while the middle column provides product information.
Marine Engine is dedicated to engines and has a vast supply of information plus a discussion board where you can ask fuel related questions.
Beth
Leonard Voyagers Handbook |
Fuel News E -10 Gasoline
The RNLI, Sea Tow, USCG and many organizations will tell you that the most calls they get for assistance start by being engine related. They will also tell you that 90% of engine failures are due to Fuel issues. Bad Fuel is not a inconvenience issue it is a safety issue. Fast boats use gasoline. The increase in large powerful outboards has been largely due to the increasingly popular sport of fishing. Getting to and from fishing spots quickly is a part of the sport. We show you how to solve your bad gasoline problems. Article overview and quick links What is E-10 gasoline and what are the issues, Articles written about E-10 , Test for levels of ethanol no more than 10% is recommended Steps to take to help your engine surviveClean Fuel tanks if you have water or contaminants, Use clean Fuel filter before it gets in your tank. Filter Fuel before it gets to engine use a 10 micron filter. Stabilize Fuel that's stored or sits idle Fuel that sits needs stabilizing. Water or phase separation more than 0.5% water is disastrous. Other ways of remove water from Fuel.
What is E-10 gasoline and what are the issues. E10, Is a gasoline blended with up to 10 % ethanol alcohol and is now in widespread use in the U.S. Ethanol, ethyl alcohol, is made from corn, sugar and other grains E-10's use in boats is State dependant. Here is the American coalition for Ethanol site. On the East Coast, MD and VA and points north use E-10 while NC uses pure gasoline. On the West Coast. Hawaii, uses E-10 while the Midwest has been using E-10 for over a decade. The main issues with E-10 are : 1, The biggest concern is the level of Ethanol in your gas. Outboard motors and gas engines are now warranted by the engine manufacturers to use E-10. However more than 10% can be dangerous to your engine. When you fill up ask what you are getting. 2, Ethanol attracts water. The water will drop out of the Fuel and settle at the bottom of the tank, taking the ethanol with it. If the water does not get to the height of the pickup you may not have problems. However when it gets rough, the water gets bounced around and gets sucked up into the engine, now you have a problem. 3, Ethanol is a excellent solvent, which means it will dissolve many particles and contaminants in your tank and even the tank itself if its fiberglass. These dissolved particles can find their way to your engine. The answer here is to use a 10 micron fuel filter and check with your engine manufacturer for recommendations. Older Fiberglass tanks can be a problem. If you suspect your old tanks you may be better off replacing them. 4, Due to its solvent nature Ethanol can eat away fuel system parts. However since the introduction of E-10, motor manufacturers have come to address these issues. The solvent issues have been addressed by making the fuel system alcohol proof. New engines are now E-10 ready. 5, In most states (not all) its required by law that pumps pumping E-10 must be labeled. Florida boater sues oil companies over ethanol with eye to class action suit This is what happens with old fiberglass fuel tanks.
Most manufacturers will warrant the use of E-10 fuel, but not more than E-10 fuel. It is therefore important to know if the ethanol fuel you are using it truly E-10. This test kit can help you understand the level of Ethanol.
Driving Ethanol Boating tips BOATUS "we have found that once the transition to E-10 is complete and the first few tanks of ethanol enriched fuel are run through the system, the issues with E-10 are manageable" says Bob Adriance, Technical advisor with BoatUS. "we also seen that owners who use their boats frequently and cycle through fuel have less problems than those that are only occasionally used" BoatUS article on E-10 Autobloggreen How to avoid hassles when using E10 in marine motors.
Inspect your tank and if you have any doubts clean it. This will get rid of any water and contaminates before you fill up with good fuel. Mobile services are available to clean your tanks. They are commonly know as Fuel polishing services. They come and pump the fuel in your tanks through a filtration system. This can give you clean Fuel at the beginning of the season. Quality Yacht Services Marine Fuel System is a company based in Florida covering the Florida Keys, that is an example of a tank cleaning service. They will clean gasoline as well as Diesel tanks. Check your local area for a similar service. Petro scrub offers Fuel tank filtering and cleaning on the east Coast US.
Buy Fuel from a reliable source, that you can be confident in. If you have an source unknown to you check the fuel. Pour some fuel in a container and let it settle. Water and dirt will settle to the bottom. If you see either, filter the fuel before it goes into the tank, or better yet, buy your fuel somewhere else. Or use one of these filters. This is your first defense. West Marine Disposable funnel for spill free fueling or oil fill
The above filters can remove water and solids down to .005 inch but cannot remove emulsified water. For the you will need a turbine type water separator (like the Racor spin on ). Because Ethanol is a great solvent is going to dissolve many of the contaminants in your tank, maybe even the tank itself. These small particles are going to find their way into your fuel system. Have spare filters. Its recommended that you install a 10 micron fuel filter. When using E-10 to begin with you may go thru a few filters as the contaminants go thru the system. At some point the tanks will end up clean and you should then be OK. Check you engine manufacturers recommendations on filtering.
Yamaha designed your outboard, and we know what it takes to protect it. Our new 10-Micron Fuel Filters filter out contaminants and separate water from the fuel, ahead of the onboard filters and injectors. They have a high-performance flow rate and a much larger filtering surface than other filters on the market, and they’re manufactured to strict Yamaha standards.
Mercury Marine mercury say all their new outboard engines have the required filters
Stabilizers provide stabilizing chemistry and are needed when fuel sits for extended periods. Phase separation (when water separates from the fuel and drags the ethanol with it) typically occurs when tanks are 1/4-1/2 full. So keep the tanks 90-95% full and stabilize. Check your engine manufacturer for their recommendations. Here is Mercury Marine suggestion. Mercury Marine from the Mercury marine site. What should be done when storing boats with ethanol-blended fuels for extended periods? Mercury Marine Fuel System Treatment & Stabilizer can help maintain fuel systems in storage. It contains oxidation inhibitors to reduce oxidation and gum formation, metal chelating agents to protect metal components from corrosion, water absorbing agents to reduce the presence of free water, and dispersants to help suspend and disperse debris. Mercury Marine fuel system treatment & stabilizer
Tests indicate Ethanol gasoline (E-10) begins to degrade within 30-45 days. MDR’s New
E-XTEND™ has been formulated to increase the short lifespan and usability of E-10 for up to 60 days.
E-XTEND contains antioxidants and degummers to help fight sludge, resin deposits and gum from forming in the fuel tank, keeping fuel filters cleaner.
Star*Tron
is an enzyme-based additive for gas or diesel fuels that solves a host of
fuel-related problems.
Your boat or RV sits. The
fuel goes bad. And you're facing major expenses getting things back in
shape. Protect your treasured investment and your pocketbook against the
costly effects of fuel system gum and varnish. Fuel stabilizer keeps fuel fresh for quick, easy starts after storage. Removes water to prevent corrosion and cleans carburetors and fuel injectors STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer is safe to use in all gasoline's, including gasoline/oil mixtures and ethanol blends (including gasoline with up to 10% ethanol)?
Water separation or phase separation As we have seen Phase separation occurs when water separates from the fuel and drags the ethanol with it to the bottom of the tank. This typically happens when the water in the fuel gets to be 0.5% or more. If you have fuel that has sat for 60-90 days and it contains more than the above level of water then the fuel should probably get discarded. To stop this happening keep tanks full, add stabilizers and keep water out or well below that 0.5% level..
Alternate ways of Removing Water
CQip wins innovation award for its new Super Soaker a device bag type device that sinks to the bottom of the Fuel tank and soaks up water. The super soaker absorbs water from beneath the fuel. Tie off the
|
|
|
|
Home | Newsletters | About | FAQ | Contact Us | Site Map
Fast
funnel
Marine
Development & Research
PRI-G
E-10 Gasoline Fuel Treatment
Tests
have shown that 
c
quip super soaker
copyright 2007