http://www.scsa-pa.com/forums/ SCSA Forum en Copyright 2010 2010-08-22T16:22:23-06:00 http://www.scsa-pa.com/forums/viewthread/81/ http://www.scsa-pa.com/forums/viewthread/81/#When:13:26:59Z <p>Hey guys.&nbsp; Hope everyone is doing well.&nbsp; I came across the following article today and figured I would share it.&nbsp; It is talking about Ethanol in boat engines, but it is definitely worth looking at for our sleds, atvs, etc…</p> <p><a href="http://www.gafflife.com/blogs/tipsfromthepros/archive/2010/06/15/your-engine-is-fine-it-s-the-fuel-that-sucks.aspx">http://www.gafflife.com/blogs/tipsfromthepros/archive/2010/06/15/your-engine-is-fine-it-s-the-fuel-that-sucks.aspx</a> </p> 2010-06-16T13:26:59-06:00 http://www.scsa-pa.com/forums/viewthread/74/ http://www.scsa-pa.com/forums/viewthread/74/#When:08:57:38Z <p>Has anyone heard or had any problems with Ethanol blended fuel?&nbsp; I noticed that pump-n-pantry in New Milford now has 10% ethanol fuel and it concerns me.&nbsp; We have major problems with 10% ethanol fuel in boats down here.&nbsp; The ethanol bonds with water and the solvents in ethanol deteriorate fiberglass and aluminum.&nbsp; They also break down residue in tanks which quickly clogs fuel filters, and the fuel itself breaks down rapidly.&nbsp; If it breaks down, the water and ethanol drop to the bottom of the tank and they are bonded together!&nbsp; So it gets sucked in and destroys engines upon the next start.&nbsp; This happens over time, but from what people have found down here it is months, not years.&nbsp; </p> <p>Here’s what is being recommended for boats:<br /> 1.&nbsp; Do your best to buy non-blended fuel<br /> 2.&nbsp; Keep tanks filled to the top for storage or drain completely.&nbsp; This has always been the recommendation as the full tank has less airspace for condensation to form and fall into the fuel.<br /> 3.&nbsp; Use stabilizers when storing.&nbsp; Seafoam or Stabil are common, but some new ones specific to ethanol blends have been created.&nbsp; Not sure if they are just marketing gimmicks or if they hold validity.</p> <p>People have also complained about loss of power from ethanol blend.&nbsp; Mathematically this is true, but I find it hard to believe that a 10% blend of ethanol would produce enough of a change for people to really feel.&nbsp; Although a lot of the complaints have been in small engines like chainsaws, weed-eaters, mowers, small outboard boat engines, etc…&nbsp; I guess it would be more perceptible in smaller engines where max power is used the majority of the time. </p> 2010-03-10T08:57:38-06:00