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Random Quote: I got a boat for my wife. What a great trade!
Hey Guys,Have a question about Ethenol in Gasoline.In my area they are supposed to be adding Ethanol to Gasoline.I have read that it will disolve Fiberglass tanks made with Polyester resin,But if the Tank is made with Epoxy Resin,it should be ok.Am I on the right track here??
I have a 1995 Hydra-Sports and I checked my Tank today...I think it is Plastic,kinda yellowed from age and I can't see any glass strands.So I'm sure it is plastic.It reads "Material":[Cross-Link Poly].Will this tank be ok with the Ethanol Fuel!!Thanks![Mike]
I'm worried as well. I own a 2000 gallon tank for work and I'm switching (not voluntarily) to ethenol. I need to have my tank scrubbed before the switch. The reason is because the stuff reacts badly with water. What's going to happen to our boats when we get a little condensation?
I'm from Conn. and the first year we had ethenol in our fuel we had alot of fuel related problems with the boats at my club and elsewhere. Especially older boats that either didn't have fuel lines that could handle the ethenol or had crap on the inside of their fuel tanks that was loosened up by the ethenol and caused clogs. I beleive we had to have our gas tank cleaned thoughly before we received our first ethenol delivery for this reason. There doesn't seem to be much good news when it concerns ethenol and boats.
Ethanol and fuel tanks is the topic of hot debate. Will is dissolve fiberglass tanks? Will it eat aluminum tanks? Will it dissolve fuel system componets? All of those questions will be answered in time and with testing. To answer your question; your polyethelene tank is safe. Polyethylene tanks are permeable to gasoline (you smell gasoline comming through the tank). I do not know if ethanol may increase that permeability. I only mention this because this could increase the smell of gasoline in an inclosed area. This permeability is not a fire hazard; but it may increase the risk of a hazard. If you get a real leak it may be hard to determine by smell because you have become used to a smell gasoline in the enclosed tank compartment. I used to think a well made fiberglass tank was the best tankage system vs.cost; but now I am not to sure. I run a diesel boat so it is not a worry for me; but they are a lot of well made older boats out there with fiberglass tanks that may be in trouble. Maybe a good time to be or get into the aluminum tank fabing business. I wounder if you can make roto-molded polyethelene tanks with baffles molded in? The boats I am thinking of need tanks 180 gallons and larger in something other rectangle. Maybe a new business venture?
It is common in race cars to use an open cell foam in fuel tanks to keep the fuel from sloshing around. I had it in my race car fuel cell. Gasoline and methanol don't affect it so I would think ethanol wouldn't either.
__________________ 22' Chris Craft Sportman "Tiger Bait"
USCG OUPV
National Assoiation of Vintage Equiptment Divers Master Diver #105
Ethanol came to NY two years ago. It did a number on a bunch of engines in my marina. I went through 3 fuel-water separators in 2004. My mechanic complained that all the gunk in my 20 year old tank came loose and went through the gas lines. Last year I started using Stabil and filling up AFTER every boat trip (weekend user). Keeping your tank full is supposed to help. Didn't need to change the separator last year doing this, so I guess it worked.
__________________ Maycraft 2300 Pilothouse with Honda 225 4-stroke
Not sure about the effect on the gas tank but all gas contains some % of alcohol. Any good mechanic should be able to test your gasoline for alcohol content, anything above 10-15% is considered excessive for any outboard engine.
There is a huge difference between fiberglass (FRP) and polyethylene tanks. Cross linked polyethylene (as opposed to linear poly) is a great material for building tanks out of, and is not affected by gas, diesel, oil, methanol, salt water, or urine. The down side is that it is difficult to produce large tanks, as there is no easy way to baffle or support the tanks. If your tank is cross linked poly, I wouldn't worry about it. For smaller (generally less than 100 gallons) tanks, that is the best material for water, fuel and waste tanks.
Most cross linked poly tanks have almost a 'greasy' feel to them, compared to a dry feel for other plastics. That's the only way I can think to describe it, but you definitely can feel the difference.
Thanks Guys!!Great info. as usual!Seems I can rest now,have enough to do without having to put a new tank in.Have a Brand new Motor and surely don't want anything to happen to it.
CB Haws:" Polyethylene tanks are permeable to gasoline (you smell gasoline comming through the tank)"
You have solved a mystery for me!I am very anal about my Boat,every once in a while I will smell a slight hint of Gas fumes in the Console..Have never been able to find a leak anywhere.[Mike]
Ethanol and Fuel Tanks???? 
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