Gas Question

[sbfishySC]

So my motor is a 2001 90hp Merc 2-stroke. I always use non-ethanol gas and add startron on every fillup. Now I'm starting to compete in tournaments almost every weekend and so my question is can I run regular E87 gas in my boat if it's only going to be in there short periods of time? The reason I ask is we only have one station nearby that has non-ethanol fuel, but with the weekends being so nice, they run out of it rather quickly with everybody filling up, and it is also in the complete opposite direction as the ramp I'm launching from. I have a tournament this weekend and I have about a half tank of non-ethanol fuel in my boat already. Can I fill up with regular E87 if I know I'm just going to burn through it this weekend? Are there any long term problems with having 10% ethanol fuel for just a short period of time?

[Scott F]

E87  is 87% ethanol and is not the same as fuel with only 10% ethanol. Using regular gas with 10% ethanol will be fine. I use it about half the year when I can't get the good stuff. As far as I know, no marine engines are designed to use flex fuels (E87) I wouldn't put it in my boat.

[sbfishySC]

Sorry, you're right, I meant regular gas with 10% ethanol.

 

Thanks.

[Long Mike]

I've been running 10% ethanol gas in my boat for years with no problems.  However, I use Startron with every fill-up.

[slonezp]

It took 8 years of regular use for the ethanol to eat thru my hoses and screw up the carb. I imagine occasional use wouldn't do much damage. They now manufacture a ethanol friendly fuel line and bulb. Might be worth the investment.  

[Koofy Smacker]

Your fine. Go ahead and run it. I don't have an ethanol free station within 100 miles of me so I don't even have a choice. I would however, look into swapping your fuel lines to an ethanol friendly bulb and line to resist the ethanol eating it away over a prolonged period of time. Not sure of the year but all of the motors and boats now are made with those lines to cope with the issue. Also run Startron at the fillup to stop the ethanol attracting water and your good to go.

 

Its really nothing to sweat about at all! Don't worry

[sbfishySC]

Good to hear. Thanks guys.

[Sam]

Marvin Rolf, who is a retired mechanic that still helps a local marine repair shop, told me that 89 octane is the best for two-stroke motors.

 

Marvin showed me a fuel line that had hardened due to 87 octane. It had gotten brittle. Marvin also said there is a "build up" of material in your hoses from the 87 octane gasoline. Marvin suggested everyone run the gas out of the motor after using your boat.

 

Startron is an excellent suggestion. I have been using Sta-Bil and am switching to Startron for every fill-up.

 

Just sharing what Marvin told me. I am not an expert and must rely on your posts and input from people in the bass industry for input.

[Fishing Rhino]

I think 87 is the octane rating, not the ethanol content.  That is regular grade gasoline.  Super, or high test usually has a 93 rating.  When you choose gasoline at a pump, you select the octane rating, not the ethanol content.  The places I've seen gasoline without ethanol have separate pumps for the ethanol free fuel.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I can not find gasoline without at least 10% ethanol.  I have used it for years and add Seafoam to the fuel.  Never had an issue with the hundreds of gallons of fuel i've put through those motors.

[Fishing Rhino]

I'm not sure about running the engine out of fuel.  When you run out of fuel, you run out of lubrication as well. 

 

Perhaps there is enough residual oil on the bearings, so it's not a problem, but it's not something I'd suggest.

 

I know that running a diesel engine out of fuel can result in damage to components in the fuel supply mechanisms, be it injectors, fuel racks, etc, since the fuel supplies lubrication to pumps and injectors.  Some diesels, such as the older GM diesels have injectors with the pump as a part of the injector.  On others, the injector is basically a nozzle with no moving parts, and a "rack" which pumps and controls the timing and amount of fuel to the injectors.

[slonezp]

The difference in octane ratings, I believe, depends on additives. Mercury recommends using 87 octane in my ProXS. There is no such thing as ethanol free fuel in northern IL. The ELPTO is the motor I had issues with and I used Seafoam every other fill up. Red Stabil during storage. I'm using Quicklean and Quickare in every tank of the ProXS

[Koofy Smacker]

I'm not sure about running the engine out of fuel.  When you run out of fuel, you run out of lubrication as well. 

 

Perhaps there is enough residual oil on the bearings, so it's not a problem, but it's not something I'd suggest.

 

I know that running a diesel engine out of fuel can result in damage to components in the fuel supply mechanisms, be it injectors, fuel racks, etc, since the fuel supplies lubrication to pumps and injectors.  Some diesels, such as the older GM diesels have injectors with the pump as a part of the injector.  On others, the injector is basically a nozzle with no moving parts, and a "rack" which pumps and controls the timing and amount of fuel to the injectors.

Number one thing not to do with a fuel injected motor is to run the injectors dry. Thinking your doing the "right thing" can really really cost you..

[martintheduck]

I filled my boat up with regular unleaded gas for the first time a few weeks ago (the non-ethanol station was closed at 5:00am) and my motor didn't perform at its peak. I'd get on plane, WOT, top at 58, and it would suddenly drop down to 54 then up to 58 then down to 52.... it was really odd. Ran the whole tank out and refilled with non-ethanol and problem stopped. I don't know how big a deal it is, but I just wanted to tell you about how regular gas caused some issues on my 2strk Yamaha Vmax.

[rippin-lips]

I don't have a choice. I use 92 from the pump and run stabil in every tank. No issues here.

[Koofy Smacker]

I filled my boat up with regular unleaded gas for the first time a few weeks ago (the non-ethanol station was closed at 5:00am) and my motor didn't perform at its peak. I'd get on plane, WOT, top at 58, and it would suddenly drop down to 54 then up to 58 then down to 52.... it was really odd. Ran the whole tank out and refilled with non-ethanol and problem stopped. I don't know how big a deal it is, but I just wanted to tell you about how regular gas caused some issues on my 2strk Yamaha Vmax.

Id bet that it had nothing to do with it being "normal gas". Bad gas, dirt in the system, etc could have easily caused that problem but there isnt a motor out there that wont accept and run normally on normal unleaded gasoline.