Ethanol Free Fuel

The Real BigGuy · Yesterday, 08:40 AM

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 · Yesterday, 08:46 AM

Quote:

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 · Yesterday, 09:00 AM

Quote:

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 · Yesterday, 09:00 AM

Quote:

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 · Yesterday, 12:56 PM

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.

The Real BigGuy · Today, 10:25 AM

Thanks Guys.

It sounds like there are no real benefits other than using it for winter storage.

I have always used ethanol gas w/ValveTech additive during the boating year until this spring because ethanol free was now at my marina. After 2 10 gallon fills at $70/fill I had to ask if there was really any reason to continue.

For winter storage, my guy adds stabilizer before putting the boat away and I've never had an issue with this, or previous boats.

So, it looks like I'm going back to ethanol gas to save a few bucks for other uses. Plus, The administration's mandate to go to E15 year round concerns me. I'm not sure how an almost 10 year old outboard will handle E15. I can't see the gas companies producing both E10 & E15.

Yesterday, 08:40 AM	#1
The Real BigGuy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,336 Thanks: 128 Thanked 480 Times in 294 Posts	Ethanol Free Fuel 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?

Yesterday, 12:56 PM	#5
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,971 Thanks: 1,064 Thanked 912 Times in 539 Posts	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. __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

Today, 10:25 AM	#6
The Real BigGuy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,336 Thanks: 128 Thanked 480 Times in 294 Posts	Thanks Guys. It sounds like there are no real benefits other than using it for winter storage. I have always used ethanol gas w/ValveTech additive during the boating year until this spring because ethanol free was now at my marina. After 2 10 gallon fills at $70/fill I had to ask if there was really any reason to continue. For winter storage, my guy adds stabilizer before putting the boat away and I've never had an issue with this, or previous boats. So, it looks like I'm going back to ethanol gas to save a few bucks for other uses. Plus, The administration's mandate to go to E15 year round concerns me. I'm not sure how an almost 10 year old outboard will handle E15. I can't see the gas companies producing both E10 & E15.