Ethanol Gas-FYI

[Pennfish]

Maine posted several web pages “fact sheets†regarding ethanol on their website ala Oregon: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/mobile/boatfact.htm

In it they clearly state to use a non-alcohol stabilizer. K100MG is an alcohol based stabilizer and according to Maine’s recommendation on their website, not what’s recommended.

“PRECAUTIONS FOR BOAT OWNERS FOR THE SWITCH TO E10

Run a non-alcohol fuel stabilizer in your boat’s fuel system at all times. Recommended for engines that sit for a lengthy period.

The more use the boat gets, the less likely it is to have problems.

*If you winterize your boat and don’t plan on using it for a while, keep your tank 95% FULL to prevent any condensation but allow room for expansion. It's important to avoid water intrusion into your fuel system. (See below for more detailed information on “why.â€)

Install a water-separating fuel filter.

Keep a stock of spare fuel filters handy, and the means for safely changing them.

Replace older weather-faded plastic portable tanks with new tanks.

Make sure you know what your fuel retailer is dispensing.

Rubber fuel lines older than the mid-to-late 1980’s should be inspected and may need to be replaced. • Some older carbureted engines may require special tuning. Consult the engine manufacturer for details. “

[jimski2]

I have been reading this stuff for two years now and there are a lot of differing recomendations. I decided to empty the tanks for the winter, add a little stabilizer in the tank, close the vents to keep the expansion air exchange from the atmosphere from happening. The larger a volume of liquid in a tank will expand more during temperature changes and more humidity laden air, especially around the waterfront, will enter the tank. The shelf life for the E-10 gasoline is about 30 to 60 days and then the alcohol evaporates out of the boats tank and the fuel remaining is not up to specifications. Automobiles today have an activated charcoal vent cannister that will absorb and return the volatiles that evaporate off.