Another Fuel Storage Question regarding Ethanol Gasoline

[ultrarunner]

The 2003 Sea Ray stern drive has been sitting in a carport with cover for 6 years... when it was put away the tank was filled and marine stable was added...

My brother is asking for advice and what he needs to do... it was never planned to sit so long but 4 years of drought and a move kept the boat out of the water.

If the 30 gallons needs to go can it be used for other things besides weed killer?

He does have a good water separator... but the fuel was bought in California and has Ethanol...

 

[4570Man]

I'd say weed killer, or mixed 50/50 with used oil good for starting brush piles. Your carburetor ( unless it's fuel injected) is likely gummed up too. The hoses are likely rotten.

 

[ultrarunner]

Kind of afraid of that and don't have the time to really take on another project...

The Dealer said to keep it full to the brim and use Marine Stable... never planned to have it sit since the summer of 2010!

Years of drought have hit boating in California real hard...

I miss my little Evinrude 35hp outboard... the 6 gallon tank would really last about a day and that thing has been dead reliable since my Uncle bought it new in 1958... just can't use it in California fresh waters because it is a two stroke and this is why the Sea Ray came along.

 

[ultrarunner]

So my brother had his city house lawn and garden equipment in storage for two years... Honda generator and a Honda powered mower would not start.

He picked them up this weekend and both would not run... not a pop without a shot of starting fluid.

Sure enough the carbs on both had lots of internal corrosion... this is equipment that had worked flawlessly prior.

I cleaned out the corrosion and rodded out and blew out the jets, put everything back together and they again run great.

Anyone that says ethanol fuel is harmless is making money on the deal...

I have the same mower that has sat two years in Olympia with regular non-ethanol fuel and no issues...

 

[Copperhead]

Well, not sure why anyone would let OPE stuff sit with fuel in the carburetor for months on end or years. A small tank can be drained and engine run till fuel depleted out of carb, then fog the carb and cylinder(s) for long term storage. All my generators have fuel shutoff valves. I turn the fuel off and run the carb dry, even if sitting for only a few days between use.

I never cease to be amazed how a fuel will get the blame for user incompetence. But then, no one wants to admit they screwed up, so the modern trend to blame everything else but themselves. Kind of the same thing of how some don't want to be offended by other views, so the political correct thing now is to stifle speech and ideas that might offend someone else. No matter how truthful they are. Truth is not wanted, only validation. Then the validation becomes the new truth.

 

[ultrarunner]

Simple... because it happens.

No one planned deployment would result in the equipment being stored for an extended time.

Sometimes life gets in the way of plans.

It is fact that ethanol and non-ethanol fuel have different properties and that manufacturers... the same ones providing warranty service have printed exclusions when it comes to ethanol related issues.

Maybe some simply don't like having it crammed down their throats... carburetor throats... by edict based on experience... call them incompetent or not... the feeling is the same.

There is not a service station selling ethanol free anywhere in the SF Bay Area and to pay $25 a gallon from a small engine shop is ludicrous even with a guaranteed 2 year minimum shelf life... We can send a man to the moon but can no longer sell fuel at the pump that keeps for 6 months?

Maybe the ethanol producers would pony up to pay for repairs caused by their product... it's sold as a replacement for non-ethanol fuel and it would be most helpful if a "Use By Date" were to be posted at the place of sale... or even as suggested to drain all fuel and run dry if not used for 3 days.

The problems are far reaching... even vapor lock in muscle cars of the 60's in hot climates and boil off...

Not everyone thinks ethanol is a bad thing... my friend owns a small engine repair shop said carburetor repairs keep him busier than ever... so there is at least one segment thrilled with Ethanol.

We are not all sheep blind to the reality of the problems ethanol poses...

As mentioned... I have had no issue with my 1985 service van... it is never stored or parked for more than a few days max...

I do own 50 vehicles and ethanol has turned aviation fuel sealer that the antique auto industry has used for decades into one mess of goo... show cars with lines plugged solid simply because of alcohol.

Maybe in the interest of free speech I should start a letter writing campaign to local media... it worked for MTBE so why not Ethanol?

Anyone that says Ethanol is harmless is making money off the deal.

 

[Garandman]

Well, not sure why anyone would let OPE stuff sit with fuel in the carburetor for months on end or years. A small tank can be drained and engine run till fuel depleted out of carb, then fog the carb and cylinder(s) for long term storage. All my generators have fuel shutoff valves. I turn the fuel off and run the carb dry, even if sitting for only a few days between use.

I never cease to be amazed how a fuel will get the blame for user incompetence. But then, no one wants to admit they screwed up, so the modern trend to blame everything else but themselves. Kind of the same thing of how some don't want to be offended by other views, so the political correct thing now is to stifle speech and ideas that might offend someone else. No matter how truthful they are. Truth is not wanted, only validation. Then the validation becomes the new truth.

Glad to hear life has never thrown you a curveball. Do you have a boat?

I'd for sure drain the tank, that's $75 worth of gas.

 

[ultrarunner]

E10 Ethanol: Recommended engine precautions

Link outlines many issues with Ethanol...

Also points out aviation fuel contains ZERO ethanol... must be something about not wanting airplanes falling from the sky...

Add to that reduced shelf life and affinity for water, corrosive, solvent... and the list goes on.

Honda Lawn Mowers - Fuel Recommendations

Stalling lawnmowers, gunked up carburetors signs of ethanol blend gasoline use | MLive.com

Boat Engines - Dangers and Precautions Necessary with E10 Ethanol-Blend Gasoline.

http://www.echo-usa.com/Warranty/Learn-About-Ethanol/Ethanol-Fuel-062512

Forbes Welcome

Forbes Welcome

 

[Garandman]

//Also points out aviation fuel contains ZERO ethanol... must be something about not wanting airplanes falling from the sky...

We buy MOGAS from a self-service pump at a local small airport. I run it in all the small carbed engines, and the snowmobiles at end of season. It's $5 a gallon, a lot less than buying the cans from small engine dealers.

 

[oldballs]

Just to lighten things up, your brother need not worry about his Sea Ray or drain the fuel. It sounds like California is draining the lake...chuckle chuckle.