19’ Sea-Pro CC
“Swagger Wagon”
Yamaha 115 - 2 stroke
All the repair forums online say to replace all hoses and carb rebuilds with ethanol friendly parts. Seems to be a very common fix for all the ethanol-related issues like clogged carbs and filters. Recently spent $160 for this sort of thing on a 25hp outboard. This applies to older motors, not ones ok for ethanol later than ???.
PS: This includes all the hoses and bulbs from the portable tanks to the engine, that whole set of old grey line is suspect now.
What is important to take from the article is that if you are running a marine engine that is designed for E10, and if you are forced to use a higher blend (E15) there is a possibility of failure. The tests were run at WOT so whether or not a consumer would ever see a failure with E15 is questionable. E.g. the test is not complete enough to say if the issue is only with extended running at full throttle. Additionally the engine were not calibrated for the E15 blend.
The facts are:
If your engine is not approved for an ethanol blend, then you better run 100% gas or be ready to go through the fuel system and replace hoses, seal, etc.
If your engine is approved for E10, then there is no issue with using an ethanol blend up to 10% beside the adverse affects of ethanol being hydrophyllic and causing a myriad of fuel system issues if not properly treated, having a good primary filter and turning over the fuel often by using on a regular basis.
If E15 becomes common place, then engine manufacturers will need to respond and design the product accordingly. Consumers with existing product will need to pay attention/pay more money to purchase the appropriate blend or 100% gas.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14