First off, what is ethanol? It is ethyl alcohol used to oxygenate gasoline. It is a combustible, but only burns at higher temperatures and slower then traditional gasoline. It has been widely accepted as a "flex fuel" additive in automobiles, but its effect in marine applications is detrimental. Ethanol is the same ethyl alcohol found in alcoholic spirits, or regular alcohol adults can enjoy at bars and parties, but your boat motor will not party when ethanol finds its way into the motors fuel system. Ethanol bonds and attracts water and then forces it through the fuel system. A little water going through the carburetor or fuel injection system is probably going to go unnoticed to the boat owner, but remember your boat is operating in and around water all the time! So unlike your car, your boat fuel system is much more likely to attract unsafe amounts of water. Too much water in your fuel can cause poor running conditions in your carburetor or naturally aspirated engine. In your fuel injected system, severe damage can occur to both the fuel pump and the injectors!
But it gets worse for outboard users! Small passages through outboard carburetor orrifices, will not allow the water to pass through. Gasoline and water do not posses the same surface tension, so as a result small passages that gas will go through, water won't. With fuel injected outboards, the water will cause costly damage to fuel pumps and injectors!
What can you do?
Of course prevention is the most important maintenance tip there is. By adding a fuel/water separator kit to your boat will help eliminate water in your fuel. Need help finding one? Click Here. It installs quickly and easily and saves tenfold in future repair costs. You should check and replace your fuel/water filter twice a year to insure its reliability. But it doesn't stop there, adding fuel stabilizer to your gas can keep gasoline from turning bad. Regular untreated gasoline can turn bad in as little as 30 days! You can use fuel stabilizer as a preventative, or everytime you fill up!
I hope these tips can help, and keep you on the water. Happy and safe boating to all!!!
