Winterize with E10 fuel

[cat1168]

Does anyone know how to winterize a boat with the new E10 (ethanol) fuel?
I have heard that the alcohol in the E10 will evaporate and turn to gum inside the fuel system? Has anyone heard of this and what is the new way to winterize the fuel system?

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: Winterize with E10 fuel

PCM does not recommend using fuel with alcohol in it at any time.

[cat1168]

Unfortunately in the Northeast there is no choice but to use gas with E10 in it. We used to have MTBE, but that is gone now. You can not find gas without it.

[redelf75]

Re: RE: Winterize with E10 fuel

PCM does not recommend using fuel with alcohol in it at any time.

Actually, that's not completely accurate. :grin:
The following is from the FAQ's section of PCM's website.


Q: What is PCM's policy on the use of Ethanol?
A: The implementation of ethanol-based fuel is spreading rapidly throughout the United States . The end user of our engines might well be concerned regarding the use of this fuel. As such, Pleasurecraft Marine Engines provides the following policy statement regarding the use of this fuel.

This notification addresses the use of ethanol fuels IN PCM ENGINES ONLY. It does not address the use of ethanol fuels in vessel related components such as boat gas tanks, boat fuel lines, boat fuel filters, etc. The boat owner is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to contact the boat builder regarding the suitability of
ethanol fuel usage in their vessel.

Ethanol blended fuel rated E10 or less is acceptable to use.
Fuels rated higher than E10 SHOULD NOT BE USED.

Ethanol fuels rated higher than E10 could potentially damage the engine and/or present an unsafe boating condition. Damage to the engine resulting from the use of ethanol fuel rated higher than E10 is not covered by the warranty.

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: Re: RE: Winterize with E10 fuel

Ahh... They have changed their recommendations! I guess I should double-check these things before I post. Thanks for the correction.

[surroundsound64]

RE: Re: RE: Winterize with E10 fuel

It's so nice to see tact when it comes to correcting errors. And it's so nice to see a grateful informe. It seems like lately everyone flames about any little thing. Thanks Red and Jeff!

Not trying to hi-jack the post. hehe.

[gotpwr]

RE: Re: RE: Winterize with E10 fuel

I've winterized my boat with E10 fuel and Stabil a few times and haven't had an issue.

[jhiestand]

There was a big writeup in BoatUS recently regarding ethanol in gasoline and its tendency to attract water. The article even went as far as recommending draining fuel tanks as much as possible when winterizing to minimize water attraction. Obviously still use stabilizer when draining so any fuel that remains stays combustible.

I don't know how much water E10 would attract and whether it would be more than fuel tank condensation would account for.

I also don't know what the best winterization technique would be, but I'll probably stick with filling and stabilizing my tank for the 4 months my boat sits. We've had E10 here for quite a while and so far so good, plus it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[Rick]

Ethanol and in fact all alcohol attrachs water. That is why you cannot get 100% ethanol unless chemically made. If you buy a gas dryer in the autoparts it is actually 99% alcohol. With around 92% being a the highest Ethanol you get that means it is 8% water. The water it attrachs should not be a problem. When you burn it the water actually cools combustion and makes it more efficient. Especially with only 10 % I wouldn't worry.

[cat1168]

Thanks for all the info
A friend read that stabil is not good to use with E10, he said that it lost its stability after 30 days. He said to use another type that is formualted to work with E10. No other brands were given

Thanks again

[redelf75]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Winterize with E10 fuel

It's so nice to see tact when it comes to correcting errors. And it's so nice to see a grateful informe. It seems like lately everyone flames about any little thing. Thanks Red and Jeff!

.

Thanks for noticing. :grin: