Run ethanol free or treat regular gas

[ucf_motorcycle]

I have been so far running ethanol free in my boats but it is getting harder to do.

Since I am now running 250XS Optis that require 91 octane min. There is only one non-ethanol supplier who provides premium fuel.

The cost is $0.80 more for 91 Octane than E-10 93 octane at the pump. Not only that but its only open 9-5 m-f. So very inconveient and pricey .

I can get 89 octance in ethanol free cheaper and on the weekends but then I would need to boost the octane level 2 points using Toluene and I haven't really messed with that before.

Or I could just run 89 Octane but the engines call for 91 I don't want to risk damage of course.

THe other option is to just get pump gas E-10 at 93 octane and treat it, just not sure what I should treat it with.

What would you do?<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

I burn alot of gas on the boat when I go fishing so the cost difference is high between the options when you consider 150gallons to fill up.

[silverbullet02]

Honestly, I've not noticed a whole lot of difference in either fuel. I had been running non ethanol fuel for quite some time and every now and then my trans am would ping when I got into it, and it seemed to be getting worse. I figured I had something going on with the car. I have since moved and ran gas from several different stations, all e-10, and I have yet to hear the car ping once, and I've ran it pretty hard a few times. So, quality wise, I don't think there's any difference. I've been running both in my boats for some time now, and I've never had an issue with any boat other than the Mercury super whamadyne grey fuel hose inner liner coming apart on me. I'd say run pump gas from a good station and one that sells a good quantity and don't worry about it, especially if you run a lot of gas through the rig. Good luck!

[Mr. Demeanor]

Been running E10 in my Opti for years. Just dont let it sit. Fill up right before your going to run the boat and try to just put in what your going to use. If the big boat is going to sit for a couple months, I have a transfer pump I hook to the Racor filter and empty the tank right into my truck.
I have 87 E10 back to back with 91 Non-ethanol in my little boat and saw zero performance difference. Same day, same conditions.

[Tom Foley]

I run E-10 in the whole fleet with no ill effects , have been for years and years with out issues . there is just not enough E - Free available readily for me to deal with it . All have good fuel lines and filtration except the Renegade 18 with the 150 Merc and the Yamaha 25 .Renegade has just one of the cheezy see through glass filters , the Yamaha has just the filter on the engine.

[Ron V]

Run the E-10 and forget you ever saw the label on the pump. Stabilize it with Sea Foam if the boat is going to sit more than a month or so. Stay away from Sta-Bil.

[Ron V]

Run the E-10 and forget you ever saw the label on the pump. Stabilize it with Sea Foam if the boat is going to sit more than a month or so. Stay away from Sta-Bil.

[OMCD]

Run the E-10 and forget you ever saw the label on the pump. Stabilize it with Sea Foam if the boat is going to sit more than a month or so. Stay away from Sta-Bil.

Yes........ use Sea foam. Just tip it into the tank after you get home or better yet, put it in at the ramp before you shut the engine off because it works instantly, and it does a LOT more than just stabilize fuel. One 16oz can will treat 8-25 gals and you can buy it at Walmart.
BTW. if you think you have more than 25gals left in your tank put two bottles in as it works better at a ratio of 1gal-1oz. At least now you will save money and time because you can use any gas station.

[Ron V]

The only caution I should also add is that if it is an older tank that never had ethanol gas run through it, you may want to check and see if it has any buildup of junk. The ethanol will liberate junk sometimes and clog filters, etc. It's been 20 years since we made the switch here, so we haven't seen that in a long time. Otherwise it actually helps keep things clean. It's also worth checking to make sure all of the hoses in the boat are the latest and greatest, but most hoses made in the last 10 years or so are fine.

[Da Bull]

Is there a problem with Sta-Bil? First i`ve heard about this. If there is a problem i would like to know about it.

DB

[Euroski]

Stay away from Sta-Bil.


Why.....?

[Binger]

i have been using this stuff and it works great, http://www.lucasoil.com/products/display_products.sd?iid=335&catid=8&loc=show&headTitle=%20-%20Safeguard%26%238482%3B%20Ethanol%20Fuel%20Conditioner%20with%20Stabilizers

[ssv1761982]

Run the E-10 and forget you ever saw the label on the pump. Stabilize it with Sea Foam if the boat is going to sit more than a month or so. Stay away from Sta-Bil.

Why no Stabil? Have I just been lucky over the years?

[Ron V]

I've had it cause globs. Had the same problem with OMC 2+4 fuel conditioner years ago. Put it this way, I've had the following happen:

-used Stabil and didn't have a problem
-used Stabil and HAD a problem
-used Sea Foam and didn't have a problem
-never had a problem while NOT using either product!

My experience only!

[Mr. Demeanor]

Seafoam is largely alcohol so your adding alcohol to fuel already containing alcohol.

Its about 20% IPA which is Isopropyl Alcohol, naptha (another solvent), and pale oil ( a light oil).

[Mark75H]

I have had no problems with Stabil Marine Formula.

Were the glob problems with regular or marine?

[Billy C]

The problem that I see with StaBil for ethanol is inlet valves in carburetors.The viton tip of the needle bonds to the brass seat after setting with fuel in the carbs.Has happened in as little as two or three days.with a fuel change the problem goes away.that might not cause a problem with fuel injection.other than the VST.

[harrells]

I've been using startron in the fuel while it sits. Then just before putting the boat back in the water i pull all the gas out and put it in the truck, and fill the boat with fresh gas.

[oldstv]

I know that everybody has their brand of Snake Oil and I guess I am no exception. The product that I use is Gasoline Medic. It stabilizes and gets rid of water at the same time. Look it up
I know you will like it.
BTW I have had zero issues using E10 in my boats but it has killed my yard tools. I put carbs on everything in the yard but not one issue since using the Gasoline Medic.

[Velocity72]

I've had no issues with E10 in my 250 EFI since 2004. I add Sea Foam during the regular season (probably every other tank) and winterize with Stabil. I do like to fill it with non-ethanol fuel during the winter if it's going to sit for a few months. Usually in SC there's always a good winter day in the 50's so it rarely sits for more than 60 days anyway.

[danny3]

I have been using non ethanol up till about 12 weeks ago.The station now only has 90 octane ethanol free.I talked to a merc tech about running it in my 225 proxs he said don't.The merc dealer and two other marines all said they use startron.I have started using BP premium and startron in all gas I burn.I think like others are right in saying put in as close to the amount of gas you think you will use.So far all looks good, I guess time will tell.