WARNING - MTBE & ethanol fuels
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WARNING - MTBE & ethanol fuels
10% to 15% ethanol is the automotive standard?
rumor from automotive owners has it that fuel ethanol sitting in the gas tank for a few weeks,
unused, starts turning into corn syrup clogging fuel filters, fuel injectors, fuel pumps and
requiring the draining of fuel tank. repairs are not cheap.
the boat industry has already learned some leasons that have yet to migrate to the automotive
side. these are NOT rumors - read below.
my interpretation - if we have learned from the boating industry, load up with just enough
ethanol mix fuel to burn off in less than two weeks.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires the use of oxygenated gasoline to improve air quality.
Many regions use Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE), but ethanol is replacing it in many areas due to its own environmental problems.
MTBE has links to cancer and easily leaks into groundwater aquifers. Ethanol use as a powerboat fuel can cause a number of headaches including fiberglass fuel tank failure, fuel system blockages, engine damage, and increased fuel contamination.
What can you do to protect your boat?
The jury is still out on the definitive protection plan for ethanol fuel use. The following are some suggestions that have helped other boaters: [ul][*]Boats built prior to 1984 should have their fiberglass fuel tanks and lines replaced with modern equivalents before ever using ethanol. This will immediately eliminate almost certain failure of these older fuel tanks and components.[/ul] [ul][*]Historically boaters are told to leave their fuel tanks full in the winter. It may be more prudent to empty the tanks and thoroughly clean them prior use in the following boating season.[/ul] [ul][*]Use a good water separating fuel filter and carry several spare cartridges for it. Racor Filter manufactures a good product for this purpose.[/ul] [ul][*]Try to avoid mixing gasoline blended with MBTE and ethanol. Use up the MBTE blended gasoline in your tank and insure the tank is clean prior to adding ethanol to it.[/ul] [ul][*]Ethanol fuel has a very short shelf life compared to the gas we are used to burning. Limit your fuel onboard to what's needed in the next two weeks.[/ul]
for the complete story, CLICK on: Ethanol FUEL problems
Ethanol blends are approved under the warranties of all domestic and foreign
automobile manufacturers marketing vehicles in the United States. In fact, the
nation's top three automakers, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, recommend
the use of oxygenated fuels, such as ethanol, because of their clean air benefits.
Ethanol is a good cleaning agent. It can loosen contaminants and residues that
have been deposited in a vehicle's fuel delivery system and collect in the fuel
filter. This problem has happened occasionally in older cars, and can be easily
corrected by changing fuel filters. The problem seldom occurs on today's engines.
Automotive engines older than 1969 with non-hardened valve seats may need a lead substitute added to
gasoline or ethanol blends to prevent premature valve seat wear.
To help insure proper engine operation and keep fuel costs to a minimum, follow
these guidelines:
· Purchase fuel from a busy station to be sure fuel is fresh and less likely to be
contaminated with moisture.
· Keep the fuel tank above one-quarter full, especially during cold weather, to
help reduce condensed moisture and gas line freeze-up.
· Do not purchase a fuel with a higher octane rating than is necessary.
· Do not purchase fuel from a retail outlet when a tanker truck is filling the
storage tanks. Dirt, rust, and water may be stirred up.
· Do not overfill the gas tank. After the nozzle clicks off, add just enough fuel
to round up to the next dime. This will prevent damage to the vehicle's fuel
evaporative system.
NWICC
.
rumor from automotive owners has it that fuel ethanol sitting in the gas tank for a few weeks,
unused, starts turning into corn syrup clogging fuel filters, fuel injectors, fuel pumps and
requiring the draining of fuel tank. repairs are not cheap.
the boat industry has already learned some leasons that have yet to migrate to the automotive
side. these are NOT rumors - read below.
my interpretation - if we have learned from the boating industry, load up with just enough
ethanol mix fuel to burn off in less than two weeks.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires the use of oxygenated gasoline to improve air quality.
Many regions use Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE), but ethanol is replacing it in many areas due to its own environmental problems.
MTBE has links to cancer and easily leaks into groundwater aquifers. Ethanol use as a powerboat fuel can cause a number of headaches including fiberglass fuel tank failure, fuel system blockages, engine damage, and increased fuel contamination.
What can you do to protect your boat?
The jury is still out on the definitive protection plan for ethanol fuel use. The following are some suggestions that have helped other boaters: [ul][*]Boats built prior to 1984 should have their fiberglass fuel tanks and lines replaced with modern equivalents before ever using ethanol. This will immediately eliminate almost certain failure of these older fuel tanks and components.[/ul] [ul][*]Historically boaters are told to leave their fuel tanks full in the winter. It may be more prudent to empty the tanks and thoroughly clean them prior use in the following boating season.[/ul] [ul][*]Use a good water separating fuel filter and carry several spare cartridges for it. Racor Filter manufactures a good product for this purpose.[/ul] [ul][*]Try to avoid mixing gasoline blended with MBTE and ethanol. Use up the MBTE blended gasoline in your tank and insure the tank is clean prior to adding ethanol to it.[/ul] [ul][*]Ethanol fuel has a very short shelf life compared to the gas we are used to burning. Limit your fuel onboard to what's needed in the next two weeks.[/ul]
for the complete story, CLICK on: Ethanol FUEL problems
Ethanol blends are approved under the warranties of all domestic and foreign
automobile manufacturers marketing vehicles in the United States. In fact, the
nation's top three automakers, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, recommend
the use of oxygenated fuels, such as ethanol, because of their clean air benefits.
Ethanol is a good cleaning agent. It can loosen contaminants and residues that
have been deposited in a vehicle's fuel delivery system and collect in the fuel
filter. This problem has happened occasionally in older cars, and can be easily
corrected by changing fuel filters. The problem seldom occurs on today's engines.
Automotive engines older than 1969 with non-hardened valve seats may need a lead substitute added to
gasoline or ethanol blends to prevent premature valve seat wear.
To help insure proper engine operation and keep fuel costs to a minimum, follow
these guidelines:
· Purchase fuel from a busy station to be sure fuel is fresh and less likely to be
contaminated with moisture.
· Keep the fuel tank above one-quarter full, especially during cold weather, to
help reduce condensed moisture and gas line freeze-up.
· Do not purchase a fuel with a higher octane rating than is necessary.
· Do not purchase fuel from a retail outlet when a tanker truck is filling the
storage tanks. Dirt, rust, and water may be stirred up.
· Do not overfill the gas tank. After the nozzle clicks off, add just enough fuel
to round up to the next dime. This will prevent damage to the vehicle's fuel
evaporative system.
NWICC
.
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