The following article was written by Mr. David S. Stover for inclusion in the Spring 2008 edition of Navigator magazine.
Ethanol, in this high a concentration, is a great solvent.
It will dissolve the inside of fiberglass and rubber fuel tanks,
and dissolve or dry out some rubber hoses and 0-rings.
It will cause engine seals and gaskets to shrink or swell.
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enriched with 10% ethanol
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Gasoline is oxygenated with either ethanol alcohol or MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) to help reduce harmful emissions. Ethanol replaced MTBE when it was found to pollute the ground water. Ethanol was found not to be harmful to the environment.
Now for the numbers: If you thought the "E" was easy, then the numbers should be a snap for you, too. The E-numbers represent the percentage of ethanol alcohol in a gallon of fuel. Thus, E-10 means there is 10 percent ethanol alcohol in a gallon of gas; E-20 means 20 percent, etc.
Ethanol is nothing new in the automotive field. Back in the 1980s, or there about, alcohol was used as a drying agent at the local gas station during winter. This prevented fuel line freeze-up of their customers' vehicles.
Fast-forward to the 21st century and the year 2008:
E-85 is now the big craze in the automotive field and at the oil companies. You've heard of Flex-Fuel Vehicles - great for the automotive industry, but dangerous for the marine and aviation fields.
E-10 and E-85 are better known in the automotive industry as gasohol. E-85 fuel is the new buzz. This is the fuel for which the corn growers are growing their corn. It's supposed to reduce our dependency on foreign oil.
Here is where the problem arises for the marine field: E-85 should never be used in any boat. Granted, not all gas stations have E-85 gasoline for sale yet, but be careful to read the signs at the pumps. That less-expensive fuel could be E-85.
So, what are the concerns - or dangers - if we use E-85 fuel?
For starters, you will void your manufacturer's warranty. Great! New boat; just blew the warranty.
Ethanol, in this high a concentration, is a great solvent. It will dissolve the inside of fiberglass and rubber fuel tanks, and dissolve or dry out some rubber hoses and 0-rings. It will cause engine seals and gaskets to shrink or swell.
With ethanol in the fuel, aluminum fuel tanks can begin to corrode, metal parts to rust, fuel to leak into our bilges, and fuel systems to clog because of ethanol's solvent properties. Ethanol is also hygroscopic, meaning it loves to absorb moisture, so;
Boats + water + moisture = water in our fuel.
This water then would be ingested by our engines. Just what you wanted to have happen to your boat when Lake Erie decides to kick-up!
And what about E-10?
Engine manufacturers - both inboard and outboard - with whom I have been in contact, say E-10 is fine to use. In any greater concentration, however, you will void your warranty. In other words, E-15 voids the warranty; E-10 does not.
Bombardier is the only manufacturer with an engine - the Utopia Sport Boat 4 stroke-4TEC -in which no ethanol alcohol should be used as a fuel.
So, once I buy my fuel, how do I know if it has more than 10 percent ethanol? You don't, unless you measure the fuel content (but that's another discussion). The alcohol that is added to the fuel is done so at the delivery truck terminal, not the refinery.
Hopefully, the terminal will place the correct amount of alcohol in the fuel and the gas station will not add any more.
What will happen, or how will I be able to tell, if I have more than the 10 percent allowed?
The first symptom you might encounter will be a decrease in engine performance and fuel economy. Then, your engine may stumble when you go to wide-open throttle and might have difficulty maintaining a trolling speed and stall. Then, the engine will be difficult to start again.
And, for those of us of a more mature age, the engine may experience vapor-lock. Depending on the age of the fuel lines, you might also see a degradation of the hose, the smell of gas, and then the sight of fuel.
If you suspect that you have more than the allowable 10 percent, you should take the boat to your local marina and have them look at your fuel system. Do not assume that the problems described above are the result of ethanol in your fuel. There could be other problems involved.
What suggestions are there to help prevent any problems with the fuel that you purchase? Buy fuel from a busy station without ethanol added, if possible. Use the fuel in your tank within 90 days, use a fuel/water separator, replace fuel filters regularly, and watch for any of the symptoms described above.
If you are vigilant in your buying practice and usage, you should not have any problems with your boat and you will be able to have an enjoyable boating season.
See you on the water!
The author is Professor of Automotive Technology at Sinclair Community College, Dayton, Ohio, w
