*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
I had the boat out of the water last week so before I put it back in I decided to fill it up with gas. The boat holds 150 gallons and it was about half full. So I pumped in another 75 gallons to top it off. I realized half way through fueling up that I was pumping 10% Ethenol (sp). I didn't think it was a problem.
The boat ran fine last weekend, but yesterday not so much. The engines are stalling out left and right. They will run perfect for about 20 mins then either one or the other or both will sputter and stall. I can get them going again but it takes a few mins of frustrating throttle reving to keep them going. Once they get going they are fine for a little while then they die again.
I'm guessing the E-10 is now being pulled through the engines and causing problems? I don't know anything about this E-10 crap other than my boat ran perfect until I pumped it in. My father has a reasonable theory, possibly the Ethenol absorbed some water in the tank and it was pushed right through the seperators and in the engines?
I don't know but I need this resolved fast, I'm running the boat to the Bahamas for Memorial weekend and I can't be having this problem over there.
Any ideas? Is there some fuel treatment I can use? There is no doubt I am going to change all the fuel filters and plugs as well.
Time to drain the tank and start over. You lost that load of fuel. You were supposed to run the tank down to 10% MTBE before you did that. You can't filter out the suspended water anymore. The seperators are useless that way.
You will have to pull the carbs/VST filters to get running again. There will be a lot of Quaker Oatmeal in the system for a while. Until the tank is purged of all the crap that is in there.
That's no good, that's all I've been putting in does that mean I may run into the same problems with my 98' yamaha 150's ???? It had about 30 gallons and I've pumped about 60 more in it, I have not ran it yet though.
Sorry to hear this. They are pushing this E10% on us and it is everywhere in Florida now. Lets see cut our gas and charge you these prices, sure that sounds fair.
__________________ My Suzuki 200's have tons of Torque, please no more lame talk about having to change the oil. Fish On...
Sorry to hear about your woes Chris. My E-10 nightmare was last summer with everything from anti-siphons to fuel pumps getting trashed.
One thing I would HIGHLY recommend that you feed a a fuel line into your tanks with a primer bulb on it , down to the bottom of your tanks to slowly try to get all the crud out, rather than trying to force it through your regular fuel system. Doing that will be a PIA, but its easy to do and should get alot of the junk and water out of the tank, which will hopefully keep your pickups from getting junked up. Obviusly emptying filters out before AND after you take the boat out will help things from getting too ugly.
I am curious, are your fuel lines E-10 rated?? You may want to double check to make sure they are
Chris, Daaaamn! Are you sure that's your first load? Besides the MTBE issue there's also the problem that the ethanol acts as a solvent for any old build-up/varnish in the tank. How oldis your tank(replaced?)
As stated, drain'em, or perhaps find someone who can "polish" the contents. You may be able to salvage the gas w/ a home-built hose, pump and filter system.
Good Luck, welcome to the "future"[img]../images/emoticons/frown.gif[/img]
__________________ Any Port in a Storm!....currently seeking shelter.
The ethanol is cleaning all the crud out of your tank and fuel system that has built up over the years. You may have to change your fuel filters a few times until all the crud is out of the system. After that you should be OK.
So do you think it was caused by that E10 sitting in the fuel system for a week? I'm wondering cause I did the same thing today. Pumped maybe 30 gallons of it into the boat before I realized. It ran great all day but wonder what's in store for next weekend and if I should drain it.
Chris, that sucks. Pick up a pair of 5 gallon gas cans and fuel lines/bulbs and make sure the engines will run well when you give them fresh clean gas. Also sounds like they'll be a must have "just in case" for your bahamas run.
If you need a hand with anything, shoot me an email, happy to come lend a hand in the evenings...
Timebandit - I had not heard that you should use up as much mtbe as possible - seems counterintuitive. Surely all the local gas stations didn't run their main tanks down to 10% before having tankers refill with E10 formulas? We made it a long time without E10 here in florida, then all of a sudden one day all the gas pumps had stickers on 'em... but not like anyone can avoid it now!
Flot, you make the phaze seperation a lot worse than it already is in your own tank when you mix the two together. You will have pure water coming up the line.
My father has a reasonable theory, possibly the Ethenol absorbed some water in the tank and it was pushed right through the seperators and in the engines?
Any ideas? Is there some fuel treatment I can use? There is no doubt I am going to change all the fuel filters and plugs as well.
Anyone else have this problem?
Chris:
Sorry to hear about your engine problems. I think your Dad is correct in his theory. You have received some good advice with regards to draining the tank, replacing filters etc. If you continue to use E10 in the future, Startron sounds like the the least painful way to keep E10 from again fouling your fuel system.
I have been closely following Gov Crist's plan to to make ALL gas stations within FL E10. So far, in my area (St Pete/Tampa) the only gas stations that still sell pure gasoline is BP. Hopefully the political winds will shift once again and the good governor will figure out that this E10 thing is good for nobody including the environment.
Maybe we Floridians could post what cities we live in and what gas stations still sell pure gasoline.
Just a side note: it is shame that BP and Exxon/E10 (which is across the street) sell fuel for the same price........being that you only get 90% of what you are paying for at Exxon......doesn't seem right.
I was told by my marina that E-10 will have to be in all gas stations in florida by June 1st.
They have big warning signs etc....etc....
They have taken the extra effort in making sure everyone takes notice in the marina.
Up here in Pensacola, I have not seen any E10 yet. Can someone in the West Palm beach area tell me If E10 is the only gas you can buy there, or can you still get regular gas? I will be trailering to West Palm beach in June and crossing to the Bahamas. I would rather trailer down there low on fuel to reduce weight, I sure do not want to change over to E10 going to the Bahamas.
Which brings up another question. Is the fuel in the Bahamas E10 now? I think the Bahamas fuel comes from Florida.
We had some issues up here in NY with it, I had to replace an antisiphon valve on my I/O and clean out the carb, but after the first few tanks of E-10 I did not have further trouble. That first season I found red junk in the bottom of my water seperator, I have heard that's evidence of the MTBE and E-10 mixing, but who knows.
I would not hold out hope that E-10 will go away in Fla. Once the polititicans get their special interest groups all happy-like, they just ain't going back. People have been biotching here about it for at least 4 years and nothing has changed. So clean out the gas tank and carbs and just move on.
__________________ 1988 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
4.0/NV 242 Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
5.7 HEMI/Quadradrive II
The question here for me here in Tampa is, do I currently have MTBE fuel in my boat tanks? Is MTBE added to gas in Florida?
I have not yet used any gassahol but I'm running out of opyions!
Two weeks ago, I bought fuel at Sam's Club. This was the second time I bought fuel there for the boat. Boat started backfiring on my next outing. Now, I'm not sure if its was because of the E10, but I did siphon about a gallon of brown gas off the bottom of my tank and had to change fuel filters too. My mechanic says the plugs looked like the boat was running lean and water might have caused it. Replace the plugs and boat is running on the ears perfect. Tomorrow, I'm going for a small cruise to see if the problem is solved. I sure hope so!
__________________ Dave
2000 Regal Commadore 2660
Jensen Beach, FL
capt.gene - 5/11/2008 8:20 PMThe question here for me here in Tampa is, do I currently have MTBE fuel in my boat tanks? Is MTBE added to gas in Florida? I have not yet used any gassahol but I'm running out of opyions!
I honestly thought MTBE was about gone. I know a number of states have banned it, some years ago.
We have had E10 for a few years now... here are some things you can do to keep your engine running...
Run the good gas out as much as safety possible
Install a water separator.. ie "Racor"
Use Startron with every tank
Use Startron with every tank
Use Startron with every tank
Use Startron with every tank
Use Startron with every tank
Use Startron with every tank
Did I mention Startron....
__________________ Captain Tom Lemaire
AMAMC.COM
Aquidneck Marine And Machine Corp
Boat Repair and Service
Machine Shop Services
THT sponsor
E-10 problems !@#$%^& 
