There has been a lot of talk about ethanol-enhanced gasoline
or gasohol being bad for marine engines. The big marine engine manufactures OK’s
the use of E10 fuel in their engines, but not E15.
E10 Ethanol-Enhanced Gasoline is available at most gas
stations and some stations have E15. The E10 fuel has up to 10% by volume of
ethanol and E15 has up to 15%. The E15 is safe to use in some newer cars and trucks. E15 IS NOT SAFE TO USE IN MARINE MOTORS
AND IT IS ILLEGAL TO USE IT IN THEM.
Fresh E10 is safe and can be used in marine motors. All
gasoline loses octane as it ages. Tests by Mercury Outboard found that E10
loses octane at the same rate as regular gasoline. The drop of octane in E10 would
only cause a minor loss in power to the engine and should cause no engine
problem.
It is recommended that the E10 gasoline be kept as fresh as possible.
If the fuel is to be stored and if an
engine is going to be idle for a long period of time, a fuel stabilizer ---an antioxidant
should be added to the fuel. A stabilizer reduces octane loss and reduces
phase-separation of the fuel
.
It is NOT recommended to leave a tank almost empty. The
excess air in the tank and condensation of water on the inside of the tank can
increase the chance of phase-separation of the E10 fuel that is in the tank. Phase-separation
is when the ethanol and water combine and then separate from the gasoline. The
water-ethanol mixture is highly corrosive and will damage engines. Because the
gas floats on it, it is the first thing that is pulled through the engine, and
it can damage the engine.
If phase- separation is suspected it is best to drain the
tank and fuel line and replace the fuel.
Fuel additives will not make fuel that has phase-separation
safe to use. The fuel should be replaced.
E10 is safe to use in marine engines. E15 is not safe to use
in marine engines and it is not legal to be sold for marine use, or for ATV’s. If
you use fresh E10 fuel you need not worry. You do need to use stabilizers when and
if the fuel is stored. If phase-separation
is suspected do not use the fuel.
E10 is OK for marine engines but E15 IN NOT SAFE to use.
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