ethanol strikes again

[77SceptreOB]

I buy ethanol-free gas at the marina I keep my boat at....so no worries except for the $4.55/gallon price!

My 1988 triple carbed Yami 225 runs great on that gas, I guess the 4.50/gallon is worth it.

[uncleboo]

I guess I'm going to be buying a 'fuel caddy' so I can get some fuel without ethanol in it. There isn't a station within 30 miles of me that has ethanol-free gas and I can't picture putting that many miles on my trailer just for the gas....Not to mention the extra gas I would be burning to get it.

[gofastsandman]

Yikes,
I could buy another Ocean Pro for that. I hope our ,cough cough, esteemed reps don`t legislate my smoker to Central America.

[McGillicuddy]

Out west in we've had gas pretty much mandated at 5.7% ethanol for years. That legislation recently expired but it will be interesting to see if the gas barons opt to give us some "pure gas" or if they jack up the ethanol to the 10% seen in Chervons money grab. I read somewhere that you can get ethanol free gas from the refinery in Pittsburg or Antioch if you're willing to buy 8000 gallons... Whatcha say, Strick? Can you stash a few gallons in the barn?

I'm unaware of any for sale ethanol free gas in the San Diego area.

[CaptMick]

Thanks FR. Frank. I will keep and eye on them. I plan on changing them in a few weeks as I have a bunch left over from other jobs anyway.

Mick

[Bushwacker]

. . . I said, "wait a minute, I've been using marine Sta-bil for ethanol fuels to prevent that" He then tells me that Sta-bil and other fuel stabilizers are really only effective for fuel with up to about 7%-8% ethanol, and many pump gasolines today regularly test out at 15%-18% ethanol, not the "up to 10%" it says on the pumps. He said no fuel stabilizer will work with that much ethanol alcohol, it just separates and deteriorates anyway, degrading fuel lines, gaskets, sensors, and fuel floats along the way. Nearly 1/3 of his business now is repairing damage caused by ethanol. . .

Fr. Frank - sorry to hear about your problem on that fairly new motor, but thanks for sharing!

Thanks to your experience, I just ordered an ethanol tester from the experimental aircraft association (EAA) for $18 including shipping. (you can make your own with a 100ml graduated cylinder.) Best deal I could find - I want to know what's in my tank right now!

As you might expect, ethanol is a huge safety issue in the light aviation community, so the EAA is all over it. Some aircraft/engines are certified to use non-aviation gas, but NOT with any kind of alcohol, due to concerns for vapor lock and phase separation/octane loss at altitude.

[Fr. Frank]

Thanks to your experience, I just ordered an ethanol tester from the experimental aircraft association (EAA) for $18 including shipping. (you can make your own with a 100ml graduated cylinder.) Best deal I could find - I want to know what's in my tank right now!

I'm going to order one, too.

Thanks Bushwhacker - I just ordered on ass well!

[floorboy]

ass well!

[cdavisdb]

Bushwacker,

So aviation gas has no alcohol in it, did not know that. Is it possible to buy some for my Seacraft? Octane?