Fuel usage

[crazygilbey]

Does it matter if I fill up with fuel with 10 percent ethanol? Local shop was telling me that it could mess up my ride. I have a 2005 22i with 340hp engine. Any thoughts?

[dingleberry]

Non-ethanol fuel is best, however it is becoming hard to find. The ethanol seems to possibly be causing some issues, especially on older engines. If you search on this site, I think a number of threads discuss it to some extent. Several people suggest using Sta-bil Marine additive when you fuel up with ethanol-blended gas.

[TRD]

Does it matter if I fill up with fuel with 10 percent ethanol? Local shop was telling me that it could mess up my ride. I have a 2005 22i with 340hp engine. Any thoughts?

I add marine stabil to all gas that I add to my boat, it is suppose to help w/ the ethanol.

[chpthril]

Newer marine fuel systems are built with materials that should not be harmed by the ethanol. BUT, the two huge down sides of the ethanol blended fuel is phase-separation and water contamination.

[brett22i]

Exactly as stated before, its more of an issue on older boat engines, certain types of fuel tanks and rubber parts. The main issue is what Mike mentioned. I copied this from and article I read explaining ethenols issues...
"Ethanol is alcohol, and one characteristic of alcohol is that it attracts water, and therefore pulls moisture into vented fuel tanks in boats. If the E10 fuel sits long enough, the water and ethanol separate from the gas, and can cause poor engine performance and damage the fuel system. A second and equally damaging trait of alcohol for boats is that it is a solvent. The ethanol loosens fuel varnish build-up and rust in the fuel tank and that gunk gets carried into the fuel system, potentially clogging and damaging parts, such as carburetors and fuel injectors."
So a basic fuel additive like Stabil will help prevent any issues. Leaving ANY type of fuel sitting long enough and it will cause damage and or issues.

[crazygilbey]

I read an article that said to NOT use Sea Foam. Anyone know why?

[chpthril]

I read an article that said to NOT use Sea Foam. Anyone know why?

Dont know why NOT to use Sea Foam, but Sta-Bil has an additive just for boaters that have to use ethenal-blend fuel. I think it's the green, where as the pink was the original.

[samw]

I read an article that said to NOT use Sea Foam. Anyone know why?

I didn't want to see this. I just put a can in my tank yesterday since I have been having poor engine performance.

[Ewok]

I used seafoam in every tank in my last boat and it worked fine. I finally found a store in town here that sold the marine stabil and I switched to that because its much cheaper to use in each tank, thats the only reason I can think of NOT to use seafoam in every tank. I never had any problems with my fuel system.