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  #26   IP: 24.152.132.140
Old 08-04-2018, 12:13 AM
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Re: ethanol

Of the known problems with ethanol on board . . . .
  • dissolves fiberglass fuel tanks
  • dissolves older non alcohol rated fuel hoses
  • acts like a solvent launching residual tank crud into the mix
  • combines with water to a point
. . . . . none are dealbreakers. Some of us have no choice, are forced to use E10 (welcome to California) but somehow we do so without problems. If our tank is fiberglass we replace it, if our fuel hoses are not alcohol rated we replace them, if our tank has crud inside (why is the real question) we clean or replace the tank, if there's water in our fuel, why? Said another way, ethanol highlights fuel system problems rather than causes them. It forces us to have our fuel system in the condition it should have been in the first place.

Ask yourselves, if you believe ethanol really causes all these problems why are some of us running trouble free for years, even decades? Shouldn't we have problems too?
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  #27   IP: 207.118.20.35
Old 08-04-2018, 04:32 AM
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The Biobor JF seems to do the job, even though it is meant for diesel. Biobor says it also attacks microbes growing in the water in a fuel tank. But apparently I should be using Biobor EB as well. It has no biocide, but is a gas stabilizer. Or maybe I don't need either.
Thanks, Neil for pointing out the known problems with ethanol. Others would add phase-separation and corrosion to that list. You are absolutely right that there are ways to continue to use ethanol, by having a clean and water-free tank, and ethanol-resistant tank, hoses, pump diaphragm, float valve needle, etc. Whether ethanol highlights fuel system problems or creates them doesn't matter, IMO . Either way the carb and filters get clogged with goo, and I have a problem (engine shutdown). Stopping the use of ethanol evidently got rid of the problem. I had a tank cleaning guy look at my boat once, and he said the tank, and therefore the engine or the cockpit sole, would have to be removed, because his equipment wouldn't turn the corners in the fill hose. It may well be that my tank (stainless steel) has water and crud in it. I would prefer that it stay in there, so I can run my engine. I know the proper way to deal with it is to clog filters and carb jets until ethanol removes all the crud in the tank, but I need my engine to run dependably. Engine shutdowns are bad for business. Since my local gas docks have only non-ethanol gas, I don't have to be forced to get a new tank. To me, not having a reliable engine is a dealbreaker.
I continue to be amazed by the lack of outrage that many are required to use a fuel that dissolves their fuel tanks and hoses. Boaters must deal with the potential for fiery disaster, to subsidize agribusiness.
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  #28   IP: 72.218.163.249
Old 08-04-2018, 08:19 AM
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"including kidnapping the Lindbergh baby"- I thought they caught that guy.

My boat never has had anything but ethanol fuel since it was introduced. No problems- yet. Hoses were changed out years ago and I check the O ring every time I gas up. And add Sta-bil.
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  #29   IP: 24.152.132.140
Old 08-04-2018, 08:43 AM
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Moment of Zen

Quote:
Originally Posted by capnward View Post
I continue to be amazed by the lack of outrage that many are required to use a fuel that dissolves their fuel tanks and hoses. Boaters must deal with the potential for fiery disaster to subsidize agribusiness.
I prefer not to live my life in a state of outrage choosing to play the cards I'm dealt instead.

Applying the spirit of this post I do my best to give the engine every opportunity to perform well by having systems outside the actual engine as pristine as possible. I'm sure others feel differently but it has worked well for me.
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1977 Catalina 30
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prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
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The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to ndutton For This Useful Post:
sdemore (08-05-2018), Tim (08-04-2018)
  #30   IP: 70.186.210.78
Old 08-04-2018, 04:19 PM
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Good point Neil. A high percentage of A4 problems turn out to be external to the engine - contaminated fuel, leaking fuel lines, clogged exhaust, corroded/loose wires, blocked water intake, fouled prop, damaged cables....
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  #31   IP: 24.152.132.140
Old 08-04-2018, 04:30 PM
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Thanks Tim. What I want out of all this is for as many folks as possible to enjoy the engine reliability that I have for many years. To that end all I can do is recommend what has worked for me.
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1977 Catalina 30
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