ethanol strikes again - Page 2

CaptMick · #1 03-26-2011, 09:08 PM

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 · #2 03-27-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

. . . 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 · #3 03-27-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

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.

#4 03-27-2011, 02:44 PM

Thanks Bushwhacker - I just ordered on ass well!

floorboy · #5 03-27-2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

ass well!

#6 03-28-2011, 08:19 PM

oooops. Spell checker did not get that one!

cdavisdb · #7 03-27-2011, 06:55 PM

Bushwacker,

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

77SceptreOB · #8 03-27-2011, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Bushwacker,

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

I'm sure that is big bucks a gallon!

Fr. Frank · #9 03-27-2011, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Bushwacker,

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

I'm told it's currently $5.23 a gallon of 100 octane Low Lead avgas here at Sikes Field in Crestview.

Bushwacker · #10 03-28-2011, 12:01 AM

Connor,

Av gas is typically at least 100 octane, but if you think marina gas is expensive, wait till you price av gas! I'd guess at least $5/gallon! [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] Probably overkill for a boat, but if you ever get stuck in the Bahamas again with an empty fuel dock and have some 5 gallon jugs, that would be a viable option! Denny