Ethanol Fuel Mixtures linked to Engine and Fuel Tank Failures

Excerpts from an article in Sea Chest by Ted Foltyn

Is the gasoline you put in your yacht destroying your fuel tanks and putting your engine at risk?

The EPA requires the addition
of an oxygenate to gasoline to reduce exhaust emissions. The most commonadditive, MTBE (Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether) is now being banned in many places and replaced by ethanol, first in heavily populated urban areas and now broadly by many states.

Recently it has been discovered that gasoline containing ethanol has been linked to the failure of older fiberglass tanks. Evidence suggests tanks manufactured prior to the mid-1980’s may face the most risk.

Symptoms of problems that may result from ethanol-related complications include engines running rough or hot, sluggish or hard starts, stalling, clogged fuel systems, fuel leaks and more.

What can you do? Answers are not yet entirely clear. As this new concern is not fully understood, additional time and information is required before the industry will have a better understanding of ethanol-related precautions and exposures. However we can provide some recommendations:

• If possible, do not mix MTBE fuel and ethanol; use up any MTBE fuel before adding ethanol fuel.

• Add a water separator or change the filters more often (using finer grade filters)

• Don’t put more than a couple of weeks of gasoline in your fuel tanks if avoidable and consider using octane boosters to offset the effects of age on your fuel.

• If you suspect you have developed problems such as those described above, have the fuel system inspected by a qualified repair shop as soon as possible.

This is a developing issue for the recreational marine industry. Look for future update and other publications chronicling developments related to the use of ethanol-blends in marine gasoline engines.

Ted Foltyn is a claim adjustor for Zurich Marine Specialty.

Fuel Tips For The Efficiency Inclined:

1. Don’t under-power your boat. A smaller engine with a power plant that labors to get a boat on plane and running at cruising speed wastes fuel.

2. Keep the boat at proper trim, side to side, as well as fore and aft. Once people pick their favorite spots to sit, arrange moveable gear (i.e. coolers) to ‘trim ship’

3. Tune the engine. Change spark plugs, fi lters, air cleaners and oil to help keep the engine running at maximum performance between scheduled maintenance appointments. Use the proper grade of fuel, too.

4. Clean the bottom. You’ll be amazed how algae and marine growth can slow a boat down. A quality bottom paint can contribute to better handling and more effi cient performance. Watch your speed. As rate of travel increases, fuel consumption rises. Go too slow, and the same thing happens. Find the ‘sweet spot’ and stay there.

What’s the record for fuel-efficiency? In 1999, a three man crew ‘dialed in’ a Yamaha F4, 4 stroke outboard, setting a record by traveling 67.27 miles on a single gallon of gas at an average speed of about six mph in their tri-hull skiff. —Steve
Knauth Sea Tow Lifelines Fall 05