E10 gas - do I top the tank off - or - use it up ? - The Hull Truth

chris-chris · 02-09-2007, 01:48 AM

Ok - I got new boat Sea Hunt 260

The dealer put in a full 150 g. of E10 gas Jan 20

The two recommendations about storing and using E10 gas are:
1) Keep you tank full to minimize the air space above the gas level.
2) To use it up before the 90-day shelve life has expired.

How can you use the gas up if you keep topping off the tank ??!!

Does the new gas you put in the tank - “Reset” - the shelve life of the older gas?

I’ve used about 20 gals so far – do I fill her up - or - use it up ???

I’m not sure how you can do both !!!

Thanks for the help guys

Chris

gman25 · 02-09-2007, 06:58 AM

Welcome,Chris. This subject has been beaten to death and then beaten again. There are several schools of thought on this subject, a few which you have mentioned. First congrats on your new boat and good luck with her. Now, what I was told and the rule I followed last year was I left the tanks full all year long. This will limit the ethanol's ability to absorb water (Which it will do). When you add water to E10 this will start the "phase seperation "process which is a breakdown of the fuel. I have always added startron to my fuel after every fill. I believe it works. Some here will say its snakeoil and a waste of money so make your own choice. Some also have been told to add fuel stabilizer after avery fill. Im not sure what kind of power you have, but another important thing to consider if its an outboard is to use 10 micron water seperators. Im not sure what to use if its an I/O. I also wouldnt get so hung up on expired fuel. As long as your adding new fuel at least once or twice a month you shouldnt have a problem. Just make sure if your storing it for more then a month or two just add some stabilizer to play it safe. I followed this advise all year and didnt have any fuel issues at all. Once again good luck and enjoy the new boat.

2005 300 Grady White Marlin w/F250's

Hot Rod · 02-09-2007, 07:40 AM

How do you know that you are getting Ethanol? Do they have to mark the pumps? I haven't seen any notices in FL.

Boatdood · 02-09-2007, 08:03 AM

Practically all gasoline marketing in this country for years now has been E-10. Unless the percentage is greater the pumps are not necessarily marked accordingly. Either way, if you are storing gasoline for any period of time, a fuel stabilizer is recommended. I personally have never had a problem with separation or water accumulation in my fuel tanks. Good luck with the new boat.

cold beers · 02-09-2007, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Boatdood - 2/9/2007 7:03 AM

Practically all gasoline marketing in this country for years now has been E-10. Unless the percentage is greater the pumps are not necessarily marked accordingly. Either way, if you are storing gasoline for any period of time, a fuel stabilizer is recommended. I personally have never had a problem with separation or water accumulation in my fuel tanks. Good luck with the new boat.

So, are you saying that if the gas at the pump is not over 10% E-10 the pump does not have to be marked?

Boatdood · 02-09-2007, 10:25 AM

That is correct Coldbeers, and it's been that way for many years. Ethanol in gasoline is not a new thing at all. It first came into favor when gasoline supplies were short and lines were long in 1973. In fact, some gas stations bragged about the fact that they had alcohol in their fuel since it was in vogue. Shortly after that, outboard manufacturers starting coming out with bulletins regarding alcohol in fuel and its affects on the fuel system components. Every outboard built today and for the past few decades has had components that are resistant to the effects of alcohol in the fuel, with varying success.

gary240 · 02-09-2007, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Boatdood - 2/9/2007 9:25 AM

That is correct Coldbeers, and it's been that way for many years. Ethanol in gasoline is not a new thing at all. It first came into favor when gasoline supplies were short and lines were long in 1973. In fact, some gas stations bragged about the fact that they had alcohol in their fuel since it was in vogue. Shortly after that, outboard manufacturers starting coming out with bulletins regarding alcohol in fuel and its affects on the fuel system components. Every outboard built today and for the past few decades has had components that are resistant to the effects of alcohol in the fuel, with varying success.

I don't think that is completly true. Yes back in the '70's some refineries did make some gas with e-10. More recent e-10 is replacing MTBE. Now from what I have read on this subject you DO NOT mix MTBE w/ E 10. Sportfishing magazine had a article this month on how to handle this. In NC I have not seen any pumps displaying e 10 but I have in VA. I think it is the law to inform the consumer if the pump is pumping e 10. This is my understanding from what articles I have read.

bayhunter · 02-09-2007, 11:41 AM

You are correct Gary240. The standards set by the states and feds were not uniform in 2006 and prior, not sure about 2007. For example; all of Delaware was E-10, but nearby in MD on the eastern shore and also eastern shore of VA was straight gas. No MTBE and no E-10 there as a conequence of air pollution regs not requiring reformulated gas. Other parts of MD and VA required the oxegenated fuels (MTBE then later the E-10).

I concur that mixing the MTBE and E-10 fuels leads to problems. Been there done that.

I am also very doubtful that all refiners have done a good job of maintaing the 10% alchohol level in thier processes and distribution networks.

bayhunter · 02-09-2007, 11:43 AM

Incidentally, the pumps at retail outlets in the mid-atlantic states are clearly marked as E-10.

paxfish · 02-09-2007, 01:38 PM

First - Don't worry about the gas in your new boat - just stabilize it.

My take on mixing the types of fuel - I have no problem mixing straight gas, MTBE and 10% back and forth. The only time to worry is when you first switch over. That's when the ethanol will clean your tank and attempt to absorb that little bit of water in the bottom of your tank. This makes the gnarly sludge that killed everybody last spring.

So I changed two water separators to mitigate during that time.

However, once the first couple of tanks of ethanol cleaned everything out, I've been able to switch back and forth without a problem. All three type are within the range of where I tow to fish, and it's nice to know I can use any of them.

Boatdood · 02-09-2007, 06:53 PM

Quote:

gary240 - 2/9/2007 10:27 AM

Quote:

Boatdood - 2/9/2007 9:25 AM

That is correct Coldbeers, and it's been that way for many years. Ethanol in gasoline is not a new thing at all. It first came into favor when gasoline supplies were short and lines were long in 1973. In fact, some gas stations bragged about the fact that they had alcohol in their fuel since it was in vogue. Shortly after that, outboard manufacturers starting coming out with bulletins regarding alcohol in fuel and its affects on the fuel system components. Every outboard built today and for the past few decades has had components that are resistant to the effects of alcohol in the fuel, with varying success.

I don't think that is completly true. Yes back in the '70's some refineries did make some gas with e-10. More recent e-10 is replacing MTBE. Now from what I have read on this subject you DO NOT mix MTBE w/ E 10. Sportfishing magazine had a article this month on how to handle this. In NC I have not seen any pumps displaying e 10 but I have in VA. I think it is the law to inform the consumer if the pump is pumping e 10. This is my understanding from what articles I have read.

I'm not quite sure what you are disagreeing with Gary. Check out this link. http://www.ethanol.org/e10.html

It's not a complete history of ethanol in fuel, but it's a good start.

Thanks.