Ethanol Free Fuel

[The Real BigGuy]

Hoping for some useful input (sorry FLL).

I have 10 year old Honda 135 outboard. My fuel ups early this season have been with ethanol free gas @ close to a $2 premium. I have an E15 source w/additive about 5 min further travel time.

My question: Do the benefits I get from ethanol free out weigh the additional cost?

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy

Hoping for some useful input (sorry FLL).

I have 10 year old Honda 135 outboard. My fuel ups early this season have been with ethanol free gas @ close to a $2 premium. I have an E15 source w/additive about 5 min further travel time.

My question: Do the benefits I get from ethanol free out weigh the additional cost?

I think you could use ethanol gas as long as you're using the boat regularly, but towards the end of the season when you're getting ready to put it up for the winter make sure you're running non ethanol, esp if it has a carburetor. The ethanol doesn't age well even with fuel conditioner.

[TomC]

Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy

Hoping for some useful input (sorry FLL).

I have 10 year old Honda 135 outboard. My fuel ups early this season have been with ethanol free gas @ close to a $2 premium. I have an E15 source w/additive about 5 min further travel time.

My question: Do the benefits I get from ethanol free out weigh the additional cost?

If you are going to burn your E10/E15 fuel within about 3 weeks, you are probably safe. Anything longer than that - especially in a marine/humid environment - I would (and do) use ethanol free...

[burgerunh]

Originally Posted by Biggd

I think you could use ethanol gas as long as you're using the boat regularly, but towards the end of the season when you're getting ready to put it up for the winter make sure you're running non ethanol, esp if it has a carburetor. The ethanol doesn't age well even with fuel conditioner.

My opinion is the same as Biggd!

[LIforrelaxin]

Here is the key to using ethanol laced gas in a boat... Stabil Marine stabilizer.

I used to add it in at every fill up..... 3 different boats and a jetski, over 20 years.... never saw a problem. The boats would get a extra dose before being put to bed for the year.

Keeping the gas treated all the time is actually the key, not the Stabil Marine Stabilizer. Stabil was good and I also used StarTron. The cost addition is minimal to keep your gas treated. My key was that I got gas in five gallon cans, add the stabilizer then filled, to ensure a good mix.