Ethanol Fuels?

[Poodroo]

G'day all. With the push for cleaner fuels over the last few years I thought about the ethanol blended fuels and whether or not it was suitable to use for outboards. I have been trying to get some answers on this very subject but seem to be getting a lot of conflicting ideas and opinions. Some say yes and a lot say no. Even today I had a person who works for a Service Station where I frequent for car fuel say that she didn't think ethanol fuel was good for outboard motors and then under the same breath she says "Although I do see a lot of boats come through and fill up on it!" So what are your thoughts out there? Has anyone actually used it and if so how did it go? Could be some interesting points I hope.

Regards,

Poodroo

[Kerry]

BP states Ethanol is NOT SUITABLE for marine use so there should not be any confusion?

If it is not suitable for marine use then why would anybody want to try it just to find out????????????

[FNQCairns]

It's also more expensive to use no matter what engine it is used in, it is also far more damaging to the envoronment when viewed as a whole from the farm to the exhaust pipe.
About the only thing going for it is the prime minister has a personal finger in the pie.

cheers fnq

[BilgeBoy]

Hi Poodroo

The term E10 I believe relates to the percentage of mix that is being used and at this level Ethonal blend is not a major issue. In the US they they now have E85 available at the pump, however this can only be used by very new vehicles which have been produced with highly resistant plastics. You see it is the plastics & Rubbers that are effected the most!! Fuel lines, tanks, filters etc etc

It is one of those topics that is mixed with fact, myth and emotion. Nobody likes change, nobody trusts anybody anymore and a lot of what you here was created in ignorance. My position is this!! Whilst other fuels are available... I would lean toward them, If I had to use them..I would!!! Like my old man used to say "Anything in moderation son". I would use it like unleaded in a HQ...every 3rd tank ain't gunna hurt.

Don't even get me started on why its not WAY cheaper!!!!

If you would like a more detailed introduction to Ethonal I will make it a White board lesson at work next week for you!

Regards

BilgeBoy

[Poodroo]

Well so far the nail is being hit on the head rather early. This is the reason for my confusion. One word, GOVERNMENT. So long as the government has involvement in anything it is very hard to guage reality, truth, etc. This is why I am trying to see what people think on here. Even though BP states it is not satisfactory for outboards there seems to be a lot of other organizations trying to prove them wrong and with some very convincing arguments. Can we sit in on your whiteboard presentation BilgeBoy? Lol

Poodroo

[Kerry]

Like if the stuff was so environmentally friendly and all warm and fuzzy then the growers of the raw product would use the stuff to produce the stuff, wouldn't they? So why don't they?

[Spaniard_King]

How does anyone really know what they put in their tank these days. IMO you are at the mercy of the petrol hords.

I personally dont use standard unleaded any more, every time I pull appart a fuel system on an engine that uses standard unleaded every gasket and O-ring has to be replaced as it swells way out of preportion. it's amazing that we have not had more problems with our fuels we use these days

Garry

[Kerry]

Sounds like we might have an ethanol sales geek on board? So why are these OTHER organisations trying to prove everybody else wrong?

What are the CONVINCING arguements?

[breamexplorer]

I was told once that the only reason you should not use it is that the ethanol attracts water, but water should not get into the fuel anyway. If you are up for a read check this out http://www.dartmouth.edu/~ethanolboa...nal_Report.pdf

[Kerry]

Then everybody has been imagining water and using water separators all these years, for nothing??

[Poodroo]

Sounds like we might have an ethanol sales geek on board? So why are these OTHER organisations trying to prove everybody else wrong?

What are the CONVINCING arguements?

Ethanol sales geek? For starters Kerry at no stage have I given ethanol fuels a plug or thumbs up, but merely been trying to find out about it and with good reason. I am about to enter the wonderful world of boating and have a my first boat project under way as I speak. I am genuinely trying to find out about the fuel and get an honest opinion from people on here who I have grown to trust over the years. As for convincing arguments for the use of ethanol fuels I have read information by Mercury and Honda which states clearly that up to 10% concentrations is okay and would not void warranty. But I am still not entirely convinced!

http://www.ethanolrfa.org/objects/pdf/2003marine.pdf
http://www.searay.com/pdf/ethanol.pdf

Poodroo

[finga]

My Honda says in the manual that you can use 10% ethanol in it.

[Kerry]

When should BP Unleaded 91 with 10% ethanol NOT be used

BP Unleaded 91 with ethanol is not suitable for general aviation aircraft, ultralight aircraft, or marine craft. It is not recommended for motorcycles with fibreglass fuel tanks (see your manufacturer for further details), and steel tanks that have been repaired with some epoxy materials. Ethanol blends are affected by water and should not be used in marine engines. Currently BP does not recommend Ethanol blends for use in high speed two stroke applications where oil to fuel ratio is critical.

So Poodroo then how about to tell us WHY you want to use it or even thinking of using it?

[Spaniard_King]

My Honda says in the manual that you can use 10% ethanol in it.

They have to finga otherwise what else would you use..lol

Garry

[finga]

They have to finga otherwise what else would you use..lol

Garry

Or do they say that so I can keep you in work changing o-rings and gaskets all the time.
I know I just won't use the boat...no more wondering about what damage the fuel is doing to the boat then.
Stuff that idea