gas additives for outboards?

dryguy · #1 05-08-2011, 10:12 AM

well i have read alot about ethanol but not sure of this tactrol from peto canada stations seems to be a cleaner of some sort anyone know if its ok for outboards just breaking in new honda 2hp engine its my first time running it got it yesterday dont want to screw it up before i get on a lake thanks for any input

Rick. · #2 05-08-2011, 12:31 PM

Stabil makes an additive for marine applications that says it deals with the problems of ethanol. I've been using it for some time with no problems. Rick.

dodger · #3 05-08-2011, 03:27 PM

I spent an hour researching info regarding Ethanol in outboards and it's not pretty. I just went to C.T. and picked up some Sta-Bil "marine" fuel stabilizer. Go to the Sta-Bil website and read up on the marine grade stabilizer.

Dodger.

Overdrawn · #4 05-08-2011, 04:42 PM

The new Merc 115hp 4stroke I bought says its recomended fuel is 87octane and up to 10% ethanol.

dragon · #5 05-09-2011, 08:39 AM

I woudl assume that engine manufacturer's have made adjustments to compensate for the trendy 10% ethanol that we are seeing in our fuels. Afterall reliability and performance is the basis of the business.

the concern I would think would be with motors that are 5 or more years older IMO that may not have seen the ethanol trend coming.

On a flip note there has been ethanol in fuels for a long time. They are just promoting it now.

cube · #6 05-10-2011, 10:15 AM

I believe it has very little or anything to do with the engine being able to handle 10% Ethanol. Rather the fact that Ethanol is very hygroscopic. That is to say it has the ability to take water out of the air. So in effect if you have a tank of fuel that has sat around in a humid environment, say like a lake, you could expect a fair bit of water build up in your gas. This water then has the ability to corrode and gum things up. Now if you use your gas up quickly and live in relatively dry Alberta and don't store your boat by the lake your probably OK.

Rick. · #7 05-10-2011, 11:35 AM

Cube is right as rain(no pun intended) Here is a link to some of the down side results of marine engines and ethanol. Seems like they have been getting 10% ethanol in the US for some time already. It does cause lots of issues. Rick.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=330129