It seems to me that if your boat held 30 gallons and 15 gallons were ethanol gas and then you filled it up with another 15 gallons of ethanol free gas, the mixed gas would now be 5% ethanol which is better than 10% ethanol. Is there something about the way the refineries infuse the gas with ethanol? Doesn’t really make sense to me why you can’t fill up your tank with one when you already have the other in it.
Who says you can’t fill up with either or?
“Tigress” '88 Mako 211
Luke 8:22-25
Non ethanol gas contains MTBE which is not compatible with ethanol at all.
Russ B.
Psalm 55:22
It makes a jelly like substance in the tank after a while. I found out the hard way.
I’ve got like 110 gallons of E gas in my 126 gallon tank right now. If I run it down to like 5 or 10 gallons, then fill it up with non - E gas, would I still have the ‘jelly’ issues?
SeaPro 23 WA Yam 225
High Tide 16 Honda 40
Key West 17’ Stealth Yam 115
You’d only have 5 or 10 gallons worth of jelly issues:smiley:
Not being a smart-ass, but the filter probably can handle the small amount like mixing 5 or 10 gallons worth, it becomes a problem when you mix 50 gallons and 50 gallons. More jelly than your filter can hold. Ends up clogging the filter and no fuel can get through.
quote:
Originally posted by Top2Bottom1Non ethanol gas contains MTBE which is not compatible with ethanol at all.
Russ B.
Psalm 55:22Ok, that makes sense. Just didn’t want to not fill up with ethanol free gas based on a rumor, but the MTBE sounds like a logical reason.
Below are some c/p from the Mecury Marine web site. It is a bit lengthy, but provided some good information.
MTBE
Recently, most states have banned the use of MTBE because of its tendency to work its way into ground water systems, usually from leaks and spills, as an undesirable contaminant. Ethanol is being used as a replacement.
Systems
Fuels with ethanol can attack some fuel-system components, such as tanks and lines, if they are not made from acceptable ethanol-compatible materials. This can lead to operational problems or safety issues such as clogged filters, leaks or engine damage.
Fiberglass tanks manufactured prior to 1991 may not be compatible with gasoline containing ethanol. It has been reported that, in the presence of ethanol, some resins may be drawn out of fiberglass and carried into the engine where severe damage could occur. If an older fiberglass tank is used, check with the manufacturer to determine if gasoline with ethanol can be safely used.
Older Motors
Two-stroke outboards should experience little or no decrease in performance due to gasoline fuels containing up to 10-percent ethanol when operated according to Mercury’s standard recommendations. When gasoline with ethanol is used for the first time after a fuel changeover from MTBE, the tank must be completely free of water prior to introduction of gasoline with ethanol. Otherwise, phase separation could occur that could cause filter plugging or damage to the engine. (It is probably better for a boat owner to fill the fuel tanks with ethanol fuel for the first time when the tank is low on fuel, but that is not critical. There should be no difficulties if the tank is clean and free from water. If the tank is not free from water, a partial load of fuel will more easily phase separate because with less ethanol in place it takes less water to cause phase separation. The important thing for boaters to concern themselves with is the presence of water in their tanks.)
If an engine is a 1990 or older model, frequent inspections
Uh-oh, I added 12 gal of non-ethanol to my 40 gal of regular gas a couple of weeks ago. Hope my filter can handle it. If it doesn’t I’ll post what happens.
John
I ran into the same problem. The filter obviously became an issue because of all the water it trapped, which was a good thing because it did not enter the engine but the engine continued to run out of fuel.
The solution by my mechanic was to install a filter that has a clear bowl on the bottom of the filter and the bowl has a valve that can be opened to drain the water from the filter. Once we got the water out of the tank, the problem was solved.
Also keeping your tank full of fuel also seems to reduce the common occurrence of condensation which produces water in the tank. I now fill up the boat as soon as possible after loading it on the trailer and have had no more issues with water in the fuel system.
Rog
“Double Trouble”
2001 Sea Fox 230
2001 Merc 200
quote:
Originally posted by Top2Bottom1Non ethanol gas contains MTBE which is not compatible with ethanol at all.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>I think you’ll find that where this was used it was discontinued years ago and where it was not used (SC), it never was a problem. If gasoline has MTBE in it, there will be a label on the pump.
Think about this: If you travel (in your car), you will get E10 fuel in some locations and non E10 in other locations. You’re not having problems with the mixture in your car.
Ron
2000 Camano Troll
North Charleston, SC
rwidman nailed it, btw, your betetr to leave your tank low and fill it with fresh fuel than to keep it full, teh tanks are open vent systems do moisture is going to get in there if it wants to, and from my experiance(and experaments with several tanks) the condisation thing is BS
quote:
Originally posted by sparepartsrwidman nailed it, btw, your betetr to leave your tank low and fill it with fresh fuel than to keep it full, teh tanks are open vent systems do moisture is going to get in there if it wants to, and from my experiance(and experaments with several tanks) the condisation thing is BS
MixxedNutz?
I just did the 200 hour service in my engines and while I had the boat away from the marina I filled it up with ethenol blended fuel it took about 100 gals total cap 155 gals. I went offshore the other day (about 40 miles) and the starboard engine would slow down from 4200 to 3500 or so for a second and then speed back up by itself. It happened a couple of times so I turned around and headed for the hill. On the way back it really got bad, like someone was kinking the fuel hose and intermittently cutting off the fuel to one engine. The other engine ran fine the whole time. It really got bad so I shut off the engine and squeezed the bulb to that engine and there was nothing in it. I filled the bulb started the engines and they ran perfect at 4200 back home. I talked to my mechanic and he has no clue. We changed both fuel filters when we serviced the engines and we are quessing that the large filter had air in it and when I primed the bulb I resolved the problem. I also treated the fuel with stabil etanol treatment when I got home. The motors are Yamaha F150’s. I have never had a problem offshore until this incident, and I really don’t want to have another. What do you guys think?
Could have been air in filter but normally once it’s running it will fill up unless there’s possibly a leak letting air get sucked in? Maybe check o-ring on that engines canister filter?
Russ B.
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy
I will check it, thanks.