livemusic Posted March 14, 2016 Posted March 14, 2016 I found a station that sells Ethanol free gasoline and the price is way cheaper than the E-free price in the city. Said high price is a ripoff. Last time I looked, I could buy the 87 octane E-free for $2.20/gal at the new place instead of $3.00 in the city. Regular 87 octane E10 is $1.80. But... I wonder if there is any concern. The place with the $2.20/gal E-free is a country store. I don't know how much gasoline they sell, but they don't have high volume, that's for sure. Which would you buy? My '97 Tracer 40hp is running cold-natured and idles kind of rough but is running decently well. I have been using 87 octane E10 with an ethanol additive to it. I also added some extra oil to the gas when I fired it up after sitting during the winter, even though it has oil injection. So, it has been running a bit rich. I ran it out of gasoline on purpose yesterday. Immediately shut it down and added a gallon of 87 octane E10 to get back to the dock. I would like to start with a fresh tank, thinking that ethanol-free from here on out might be good. But, obviously, E10 gasoline is far cheaper. I have read some say that E10 gasoline is fine during months when you run your boat quite a bit without it sitting up. Quote
Super User 00 mod Posted March 14, 2016 Super User Posted March 14, 2016 On a 40hp engine, gas consumption is minimal. Say you burn 5 gallons a day, that is $2 a day. CHEAP insurance in my opinion. Ethanol free for me! Jeff 3 Quote
Super User webertime Posted March 14, 2016 Super User Posted March 14, 2016 I wouldn't discount the turnover of the country store. Lots of ATV's, small engines, and boats in the country where people run ethanol free. Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted March 15, 2016 Super User Posted March 15, 2016 I live in Maryland, but vacation in Tennessee. When I am home I must endure running e-10. In Tennessee I can get non ethanol fuel for about 15 cents more then e-10. I run non ethanol as much as I can out there. My S-10 gets 6 mpg better fuel economy and pulls much better on the real stuff. I never worry about mixing them either. If there is fuel in the boat tank (which there is always some) I do not care. I fill up and add my StarTron and go on and have fun. I only run 87 octane in my boat and truck so there is no change there. Keep in mind I have an old 2000 Merc 75 Hp 2 stroke carbed outboard, so no Opti or anything. If you can avoid running any combustion engine on "corn" do it. The only people happy we have to run garbage E-10 or god forbid E-85 is the Agricultural lobbyist- meaning the corn producers! Even most eco freaks have come to the conclusion the the ethanol experiment does not help the environment. I am a mechanic by trade and have built and rebuilt engines for a living for the last 35 years. Just my two cents. Go read papers put out by engine manufacturers. None say anything favorable for ethanol. Also keep in mind the repairs regularly associated with running ethanol. It deteriorates rubber such as the inside of fuel lines, the diaphragms in the fuel lift pump and causes water ( from the air) to be drawn into the fuel. They seperate causing corrosion issues as well. This costs money to repair. So is that little cheaper fuel really cheaper in the long run? NO!! Quote
tander Posted March 15, 2016 Posted March 15, 2016 I was running ethanol gas at the first of last year when I got my boat, the last few months I found a station that was ethanol free. My boat cranks better and idles better. I am running a 90hp 1997 Johnson. Only ethanol free for me. I still run Sea Foam every 3rd or 4th tank. 1 Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted March 15, 2016 Global Moderator Posted March 15, 2016 Ethanol free is all I run. Thankfully the QT right by my house sells it so I never have to look far unless I'm on a roadtrip. Quote
wnspain Posted March 15, 2016 Posted March 15, 2016 The disadvantages of Ethanol are well documented, and the cost cannot be measured at the gas pump only. I will not put ethanol in an outboard, small engine, or recreational vehicle period. Just not worth the paltry savings at the pump. 1 Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted March 15, 2016 Super User Posted March 15, 2016 I go e-free unless I don't have any other option. Lucky for me there are quite a few stations around me that have it. They vary between 87, 89, and 91 but I always choose whatever they have that's pure gas. Quote
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