Ethanol and Old Outboard Boat Engines Don't Mix

Gas with ethanol greater than 10% should  never be used with any boat engine. 

Ever since E10 gasoline (gas containing 10% ethanol) became widely  available several years ago, the nation's largest recreational boat owners  group, BoatUS, has received hundreds of calls and emails complaining about boat  engine problems. The majority of complaints concern older outboard motors,  those made before about 1990. BoatUS' Seaworthy magazine asked Mercury Marine's Ed  Alyanak and Frank Kelley, who between them have over 60 years of experience, to  find out what's made these decades-old outboards more susceptible to ethanol's well-known problems and what owners can do.

1. Vulnerable hoses: In the mid 1980's new  standards (SAE J1527) for fuel hoses were developed for "gasohol," which was  known to deteriorate rubber and plastics. Since then, problems with hoses have  largely gone away, but that doesn't mean they are maintenance free. Tech Tip:  Any hose older than 10 years should be replaced. Here's another way to test  rubber fuel hose condition: wipe a clean rag along the hose. If you smell gas  on the rag, replace the hose immediately.

2. Carburetors: O-rings and rubber  carburetor parts on older engines tend to get hard and brittle when exposed to  ethanol and then break off in bits and pieces causing clogs, misfires and  shutdowns. Pre-1990 carburetors were also made from alloys that didn't stand up  to ethanol, leading to corrosion that can cause tiny fuel orifices to clog,  resulting in hard starts and poor running. Old carbs are also "dumb" in that  they were designed to run on only one type of fuel. Ethanol, however, has more  oxygen and affects the air/fuel ratio, causing engines to run leaner and  hotter. Tech Tip: The best solution with old outboards is to run straight gas -  if you can find it. Some mechanics may also have the ability to "recalibrate" a  carburetor to tolerate E10 (note: gas with ethanol greater than 10% should  never be used with any boat engine).

3. Plastic fuel filter bowl: Some older engines  may have plastic fuel filter bowls. Tech Tip: If you still have one, replace immediately with a metal bowl.

4. Fuel fill gasket: Keeping water out of the  fuel tank is even more important with ethanol as it can eventually lead to the formation of two separate solutions in the gas tank (water  and fuel), also known as phase separation. The process is more  common on older boats which are more likely to have accumulated water at the  bottom of the tank. Once phase separation happens - the tipping point when  water in the gas is either harmlessly ingested or transformed into a corrosive  mixture no engine will run on - there's no going back. No fuel additive can  restore E10 back to its normal state. Tech Tip: Age and exposure to ethanol can  rot fill gaskets or O-rings. Replace them every few years.

If phase separation has occurred, it is necessary to completely remove all free water from the system and replace the fuel before continuing operation.

5. "Gunk" in the tank: It is still possible that  some old outboards and boat fuel systems have yet to sip a drop of E10. But  once your boat drinks its first tankful, ethanol will "scour" or dissolve the  gunk that's been coating the tank walls (and hoses) for years. Tech tip: You  may want to think about hiring a professional to have the tank drained  completely of any gas and water at the bottom before adding your first load of  E10. If not, keep a supply of filters on hand - they will clog quickly. Always  use a fuel stabilizer and avoid using octane boosters that contain ethanol.

For more information on  ethanol and boat engines, go toBoatUS.com/seaworthy/ethanol

Are you traveling the AICW and have pictures or information concerning the Virginia- North Carolina region to share? Please e-mail them to skipjacknauticalwares@gmail.com. so we can share them with others traveling the AICW.  Have a great day and a safe passage.  Joe Elder, MilemarkerO.blogspot.com.