The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to register E15 fuel, allowing for its sale at gas stations for model year 2001 and newer cars and trucks and flex-fuel vehicles. But first, concerns about labeling the fuel have to be addressed. Because the fuel is not approved for heavy-duty engines, off-road vehicles (including boats) or cars made in 2000 and earlier, gas stations will need to carefully label the fuel.
When E15 fuel becomes available, boat owners should be extremely careful not to fill their boats with this fuel.
Why Is Ethanol a Problem for Boats?
E15 fuel is a blend of 85 percent gasoline and 15 percent ethanol, which is made from corn and other grains. The alcohol in ethanol can break down fuel lines, injectors and pumps, carburetors and rubber diaphragms.
Ethanol also attracts water, which is a serious problem in boat engines. Condensation can introduce water into the gas tank in any type of vehicle. In marine environments, humid air creates even more condensation within a tank. Phase separation occurs when the water separates from the fuel and sinks to the bottom of the tank. The next time you start your engine, it will be running on water, which will cause rough or no start, as well as injector misfire and a contamination of interior engine components.
A recent study funded by the Department of Energy indicates that E15 is likely not safe for marine engines. The study sample was small and therefore not statistically significant, but the test resulted in deterioration of components when E15 fuel was used.
Is E10 Fuel Okay for My Boat?
Even E10 fuel is controversial. E10 fuel is a blend of 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol. It is widely used in the U.S. and sold at most gas stations. It is approved for use in all cars and in boats. However, E10 fuel is more prone to phase separation than regular gasoline. This is particularly a problem when a boat sits unused for a long period of time, including over the winter.
In order to avoid potential problems with fuel, Jim Connor of MarineMax - Catawba Island in Ohio, recommends that you use fuel without ethanol if possible.
Many marinas offer pure gasoline and www.puregas.org lists gas stations that sell fuel without ethanol. (The list could be out of date. Call the station to confirm.)
You can also use fuel stabilizers to prevent degradation of E10 fuel over time. MarineMax offers a full line of Mercury fuel treatment products. Mercury Quickcare is a combination of stabilizer and fuel conditioner. This product should be used at every fill up. For extended layup, Mercury Quickstore is recommended. Quickstore keeps injectors and carburetors lubricated as well as keeping fuel fresh for up to a year.
You should also keep the fuel tank full, especially during periods where the boat will not be used. A full tank has less air and will experience less condensation — which results in less water in the tank.
MarineMax service professionals can answer any of your questions regarding layup and maintenance, as well as ethanol fuel use.
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