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Kamper · 08-17-2006, 08:09 AM

This question has come up repeatedly in another forum I subscribe too, "The Hull Truth." This is a summary of what I have read here, and there. Not everyone who contributes to the internet is an expert so anything that follows that doesnt agree with what you have heard elsewhere may be a point for further research. Also, after about the 20th post on the subject I stopped reading them because I had all the info I needed so I may have missed something.

Gasahol was introduced in the early to mid '80s and and various tax incentives were provided to marketers. Not all engine manufacturers used hoses and other fuel system components that could withstand alchohol (made them mushy and weak) and many folks avoided the product to be safe.

Since then, non-alchohol rated materials have been phased out. Factories have been made aware of the eventual transition to gasahol on a wide-scale and have made the change-over a long time ago. It is probably still available but for inventory purposes, parts stores will not normally carry it. Many fuel line products will be printed "alchohol resistant" and if it isnt, you can ask the store to verify it by checking the part number (also frequently printed on the hose) in their catalog.

The research can also be done for other components. Many manufactures only build resistant materials and certify their entire product line to be up to spec but it never hurts to ask when you replace older parts.

You should not have a problem with plastic tanks. Metal tanks (and component surfaces) may have aquired a layer of 'varnish' which ethanol will wash off and move further down the fuel stream so you might want to run your engine for a while on the new fuel to keep this from settling in jets or injectors. Fuel-system cleaning additives will probably help with this problem too.

The biggest risk seems to be fiber-glass tanks. Alchohol may disolve gel-coat and this material may settle down-stream. If it accumulates enough to totally block a jet or injector this may require a mechanic's attention to repair or replace affected components.

I have read many recomendations by other boat owners, to carry spare filter elements in case any gunk is released from the tank wall by the cleaning affect of the ethanol. If you're mechanicaly inclined an electircal fuel pump can recirculate your fuel through the filter and "polish" the tank. For smaller boats the same result can be achieved with a filter on a siphon hose, gravity and a clean fuel can. Obviously this will take more patience.

There is no way to remove ethanol from gasoline without a major investment in refinery type equipment. It probably wont be long before someone tries to sell some scam to do this. It will be amusing to read the product desciption though.

Good luck!

08-17-2006, 08:09 AM	#11
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,307 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	This question has come up repeatedly in another forum I subscribe too, "The Hull Truth." This is a summary of what I have read here, and there. Not everyone who contributes to the internet is an expert so anything that follows that doesnt agree with what you have heard elsewhere may be a point for further research. Also, after about the 20th post on the subject I stopped reading them because I had all the info I needed so I may have missed something. Gasahol was introduced in the early to mid '80s and and various tax incentives were provided to marketers. Not all engine manufacturers used hoses and other fuel system components that could withstand alchohol (made them mushy and weak) and many folks avoided the product to be safe. Since then, non-alchohol rated materials have been phased out. Factories have been made aware of the eventual transition to gasahol on a wide-scale and have made the change-over a long time ago. It is probably still available but for inventory purposes, parts stores will not normally carry it. Many fuel line products will be printed "alchohol resistant" and if it isnt, you can ask the store to verify it by checking the part number (also frequently printed on the hose) in their catalog. The research can also be done for other components. Many manufactures only build resistant materials and certify their entire product line to be up to spec but it never hurts to ask when you replace older parts. You should not have a problem with plastic tanks. Metal tanks (and component surfaces) may have aquired a layer of 'varnish' which ethanol will wash off and move further down the fuel stream so you might want to run your engine for a while on the new fuel to keep this from settling in jets or injectors. Fuel-system cleaning additives will probably help with this problem too. The biggest risk seems to be fiber-glass tanks. Alchohol may disolve gel-coat and this material may settle down-stream. If it accumulates enough to totally block a jet or injector this may require a mechanic's attention to repair or replace affected components. I have read many recomendations by other boat owners, to carry spare filter elements in case any gunk is released from the tank wall by the cleaning affect of the ethanol. If you're mechanicaly inclined an electircal fuel pump can recirculate your fuel through the filter and "polish" the tank. For smaller boats the same result can be achieved with a filter on a siphon hose, gravity and a clean fuel can. Obviously this will take more patience. There is no way to remove ethanol from gasoline without a major investment in refinery type equipment. It probably wont be long before someone tries to sell some scam to do this. It will be amusing to read the product desciption though. Good luck!