BP Company Response to E10 Additives

[OnthePotomac]

Thought you might be interested in the following  provided by a fellow Potomac angler.  Dr Mike Meiers, Mechanical Engineer, wrote to the BP company via email as below followed by their response

 

Email Body:
Please forward this request to the department responsible for BP gasoline formulations.
What is BP's recommendation on extended storage (3-12 months) and use of E10 fuel in boats and small engine equipment?
BP's opinion on the addition of fuel stabilizers to E10 fuel?
SDS for the majority of these stabilizers indicate the primary ingredients to be kerosene and light oils. Does BP have an opinion on what type/brand of fuel stabilizer actually extends the useful life of E10 fuel?
If the addition of an aftermarket stabilizer actually extends the useful life of E10 fuel, why wouldn't the refineries add this?

***

BP Consumer Relations Service Request Notification
Dr. Meier,
Please see below response from our Global Fuel Technician:
"Gasolines are formulated for use in the season in which they are sold. For instance, winter gasolines have higher vapor pressure for easier starting in cold ambient temperatures while summer gasolines have very low vapor pressure to control evaporative emissions. While the stability of the fuel as manufactured is sufficient for storage over long periods, it may not be suitable for use in a different season. Additionally, improper longer term storage can allow lighter components to evaporate, which may degrade the fuel’s performance. In general, BP recommends fuel be used in the season in which it is purchased.
Use of E10 in small engines and boats should follow the equipment manufacturer’s guidelines; if there is no statement of compatibility, BP would recommend avoiding the use of E10.
Gasoline should not require a fuel stabilizer if used in the season in which it is purchased. BP does not comment on or recommend specific aftermarket products.

***
 

[Choporoz]

What?

Doesn't sound very technical from a technician.  'Avoid our E10...or don't....buy our gas and use it quickly....we don't really know much about how our gas will affect outboards'

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

What?

Doesn't sound very technical from a technician.  'Avoid our E10...or don't....buy our gas and use it quickly....we don't really know much about how our gas will affect outboards'

Given how much money BP has lost due to various things...they're in major CYA mode. The more vague the response, the easier it is to slip away from 'things'.

[Dirtyeggroll]

19 hours ago, Choporoz said:

What?

Doesn't sound very technical from a technician.  'Avoid our E10...or don't....buy our gas and use it quickly....we don't really know much about how our gas will affect outboards'

 

19 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Given how much money BP has lost due to various things...they're in major CYA mode. The more vague the response, the easier it is to slip away from 'things'.

I would also reckon they are not tailoring their fuel for outboard motors and thus may not have data for more than a vague answer.

[Log Catcher]

I was told a story at a local boat dealer a while back. One of their customers stopped at a BP station down the road from them. He filled up his truck and boat. The gas caused problems in both of them. 

[Glenn]

I always use non-ethanol fuel in my boat.  .... Always.

 

PLUS I use Stabil with every fillup. .... Always.

 

[OnthePotomac]

Dr Meiers is an interesting fellow and runs a Merc 250 V8 on E10 on his 21 ft Ranger intercoastal and will not use fuel stabilizers.  He is entering year 2 on the big V8, an has shut it down until next March (24 above here last evening)  and just fills his tank to the brim for storage.  His last engine was a 250 Merc for 8 years and did the same thing.  I guess it is the science oriented PHD engineer in him always pushing to see what is or not needed.  He insists he never has a problem and his close fellow anglers confirm he is correct.  Go figure.

[Tennessee Boy]

34 minutes ago, OnthePotomac said:

Dr Meiers is an interesting fellow and runs a Merc 250 V8 on E10 on his 21 ft Ranger intercoastal and will not use fuel stabilizers.  He is entering year 2 on the big V8, an has shut it down until next March (24 above here last evening)  and just fills his tank to the brim for storage.  His last engine was a 250 Merc for 8 years and did the same thing.  I guess it is the science oriented PHD engineer in him always pushing to see what is or not needed.  He insists he never has a problem and his close fellow anglers confirm he is correct.  Go figure.

Thanks for posting this.  Like a lot of people I only use ethanol free gas and add Stabil.  I don’t really do it to protect my engine,  I do it because it helps me sleep better.  The manual says my outboard is designed to use E10.  I’m not convinced that Stabil makes that much difference if you use the fuel in a reasonable amount of time.  I know plenty of people that run E10 and I’ve never heard of any of them having problems.  Come to think of it I can’t think of anyone I know who’s had serious problem with a motor that was less than 15 years old.  Still,  it’s better to be safe than sorry right?  

[WRB]

If you live in a State like CA that has mandatory E fuel requirement's it's impossible not to purchase it. Our gasoline pumps all have labels that say "May contain Ethanol". Do to supply and demand the refinery may or may not included E10 or E15 in that shipment of gasoline to the station.

Seasonal gasoline blends has been around for decades, standard operating procedure. BP can't reply any differently then they did.

If we don't use up the tank of gasoline in a few months it's a good idea to drain the gasoline and transfer to our vehicles in lieu of trying to save it more then a few months.

Tom 

 

[GreenPig]

On 12/17/2019 at 2:47 PM, Glenn said:

I always use non-ethanol fuel in my boat.  .... Always.

 

PLUS I use Stabil with every fillup. .... Always.

 

E-Free for all my engines here. Cost a bit more to fill up but less than a new engine and I get much better performance and mpg's.

[crypt]

On 12/17/2019 at 2:47 PM, Glenn said:

I always use non-ethanol fuel in my boat.  .... Always.

 

PLUS I use Stabil with every fillup. .... Always.

 

this is what I've been doing for years.

[tracker01]

1 hour ago, crypt said:

this is what I've been doing for years.

Me to.