traxtermax
UPSTATE NEW YORK
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Joined: 05/26/2004
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I ran across some old boating notes (circa 1995 – 2005) that pertain to a 1996, 350 cubic inch V8, MerCruiser engine (GM block) with a 4 barrel carburetor.
Within the above time span, the marine engine “manufacturer” once told me that: for every hour the engine is run at 4,000rpm WITH GASAHOL instead of straight gasoline, engine life is reduced by 10 hours. I think at the time, he was quoting from test results of some type but I can’t remember.
Bearing in mind that this statement could be dated, and considering present fuel chemistry and motor technology, I would appreciate your thoughts.
If gas is 10% ethanol, will it affect THIS engine’s durability?
Was this statement ever true?
Is it true now?
Thanks.
Edit: fixed syntax
* This post was
edited 07/18/08 12:28am by traxtermax *
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itsalleasy
USA
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Joined: 07/20/2007
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Gasohol has been the only fuel available around here for years. Lots of old cars, 40's, 50's, Model A's and T's with original engines, 8N Ford, John Deere tractors, etc. If they are moving they are running on gasohol, and these are leaded fuel engines. Admittedly they don't run at 4000 rpm and most aren't used a lot, but they still have run for years on gasohol.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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Was this ever true.. I don't know
What will E-10 do to the engine? a lot less damage than E-85
I've been told that all engines made since 1992 are supposed to run on E-85
I have an 1992 that can not, and a 2004 that can not, So I doubt the accuracy of that statement. Info on my GM engines is from the owner's manual of course.
It was not till 2003 IIRC that GM made most all it's rides Flex, and the big block engines not till around 2006
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
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It's E10 that since 1992 engines are supposed to be able to run on. That includes Mercury (GM) engines according to Mercury. We ran into this several years ago and one of our folks took a day or two to get a definitive answer from Mercury.
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They say you learn by your mistakes, in that case I must be a genius.
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DunDoneIt
Western NC
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I have a new Fuzion 302 on order and was thinking of getting Sta-Bil to add to Generator. While in Wally World I noticed Sta-Bil is makeing a marine Product for use with Ethanol added Gasoline.
here's a link
http://www.goldeagleco.com/sta-bil/stabil_marine.htm
This was in the FAQ
How much of the gasoline currently sold in the United States has some percentage of ethanol blended into it?
Currently almost HALF of the gasoline sold in the United States has some percentage of ethanol blended into it, and that percentage is expected to grow significantly over the next five years as additional supplies of ethanol become available to blend into gasoline. Ethanol is blended together with gasoline at the local fuel terminals, and then the tankers deliver the fuel to the local retail locations. Ethanol is stored separately from gasoline prior to blending it together at the fuel terminals, since ethanol attracts water, and also requires special corrosion-resistant pipes and tanks to store it.
I have heard that the % is close to 8% in NC and SC don't know about other states.
Most all Fuel Tanks are vented and that will allow the moisture in the air to mix with ethanol. Think I will be useing this in my Generator tank. Don't think Onan made the fuel system for Ethanol added fuels.
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byronlj
Loveland, CO/Lake Havasu City, AZ
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Joined: 11/30/2002
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The problem with running ethanol in a boat is the reaction the ethanol has in the fuel tank. A lot of the older boats had fiberglass tanks. The ethanol eats away at the gel coat and then tries to pass that gunk on through your fuel system. BoatUS had a good article on this last fall if you want to search for it.
Dave
byronlj
07.5 Silverado LTZ Ex. Cab 3500HD dually 4X4 duramax LMM/allison 6spd
07 HR Presidential Suite 37RLQ
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Matthew_B
The boonies near Dallas, Oregon
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Search around for "regular."
I don't know if it's available on the other side of the country, but here you can get regular for non car use. Auto's must be filled with E10 by state law, but off road and boats can have real gas.
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traxtermax
UPSTATE NEW YORK
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Thankfully, I have an aluminium tank -- I guess that's the lesser of two evils. I read it in Powerboat Magazine too but they folded up last year.
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AlfGulford
Central Oregon
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Joined: 07/07/2004
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Matthew_B is right about being able to run non-alky gas in off-road and marine, I just don't know how many stations are going to carry yet another grade of gas, although a lot of them advertise that their Premium doesn't have any ethenol.
For my boat I installed a Honda fuel filter that filters any water that separates out. Then you can drain the water out of the bottom filter. Hope I never need it but I've got it.
Alf
[b]Alf
2001 Ford F-250SD, V-10, 4x4, 3.73
Coachman Catalina 285RK
Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.
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itsalleasy
USA
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byronlj wrote:The ethanol eats away at the gel coat and then tries to pass that gunk on through your fuel system.
Why would gelcoat be used inside a tank? It is an appearance item, gives a smooth shiny surface similar to paint.
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