Ethanol & Winterizations – Old Habits Die Hard
Saturday, October 17th, 2009
We’ve been in winterization mode for the past two weeks here at Southern Ski Boats. One thing I’ve noticed this year that is different from previous years is the whole Ethanol Issue.
It is best to store your boat over the winter with as little fuel (as reasonable) in the tank. DO NOT FILL YOUR TANK FOR WINTER STORAGE. This flies in the face of the way we’ve been winterizing boats over the past 50 years. In the past – one would always fill the tank to eliminate condensation in the tank. Because of this, many of our customers are showing up to get their service with full tanks of gas.
Another difference many folks don’t realize is the gasoline stabilizer used with Ethanol blended gasoline is different from the gasoline stabilizer used in the past. Ethanol needs different chemicals to stabilize correctly. Only use a stabilizer made for Marine and Ethanol blended gasoline applications.
Below are a few additional facts each boater needs to know about the new Ethanol blended fuels:
As many of you already know – the Gasoline that is distributed throughout the world today contains ethanol.
Ethanol has several characteristics that can create problems in marine fuel systems. It acts as a solvent (especially against fiberglass tanks) and it attracts and holds water (rusting steel tanks). The additional water, varnish, foreign particles, sludge, and gums that are created or freed by the ethanol can enter or form in the fuel system. These can clog fuel filters and damage fuel system components (pumps, injectors, carburetors).
Our current marine engines from the major manufacturers (Volvo, Mercruiser, Indmar, PCM, Yamaha and others) and all configurations (Outboard, Inboard, Inboard/Outboard) can only handle up to 10% Ethanol content. (Do not ever put E15, E20, Flex-Fuel or any gasoline with more than 10% Ethanol in your boat).
If you have any other questions – give me a call at the shop, Jamie 804-524-0600 Southern Ski Boats Co.
October 19th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Jamie; so already did the winterizing with a full tank and added the Marine Formula STA-BIL; did not have any issues last year, should I expect some in the spring?
I assume that all of the sludge etc ends up in the fuel filter, potentially creating some of the hard to start rough idling problems I experienced this summer?
Jim Young
October 24th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
First and foremost – this is for E10 fuel only – if you got real gasoline then you will be fine with a full tank and the STA-BIL for the season (we are in a transition now)
As far as the fuel goes – you’re gasoline (with a full tank) should be fine for about two months (according to Volvo – it is good for one month). Any longer than that you really need to either run it out or get a fuel/water separator installed (which would need to be changed regularly to remove the contaminants).
In your existing PCM – you have a fuel cell which will catch some water but – it is not as efficient as a the fuel/water separator. Also – we’ve had problems with customers trying to service their won fuel cells by breaking parts – then bringing it to us.
Jamie