[Rhodes22-list] My 9.9 is having some trouble...

[Bill Effros]

Rummy,

Have they been using MTBE where you buy gas, or has it been ethanol?

We are just starting to get ethanol.  Are they putting it into the gas 
year round, or just in the summer?

Here it has just been MTBE in the summer.  I've been buying my boat gas 
in the winter, and I've always thought that was part of the reason I 
never had a problem with gas--nothing in it but gas.

Bill Effros

Jonathan Parker wrote:
> I have heard of a lot of boaters having problems with fuel filters/water
> separators this year and the one recurring cause for all the trouble
> tends to be Ethanol in the fuel. I thought you might like to see this.
>
> Here is a bulletin from Yamaha, But it pertains to ALL ENGINES, NOT just
> Yamahas.
> SUBJECTS: Ethanol Fuel Blends - All Model engines.
>
> Ethanol Fuel Blends - All Models
> As of spring 2006, most gasoline refiners will switch to ethanol-blended
> fuels. This may present a challenge for
> boat builders, dealers, and boaters in the months ahead. Until recently,
> refiners have primarily used the chemical
> MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) as an additive "to oxygenate" fuel,
> thereby, reducing emissions. Unfortunately,
> the chemical has been associated with ground water pollution. As a
> result, most refineries have chosen to remove
> it from their blends. Using ethanol in place of MTBE solves the ground
> water issue, since ethanol has a very short
> life in the environment before it is broken down chemically by nature.
> Properties
> Both consumers and those in the boating industry should be aware of the
> following characteristics of ethanol, even
> when blended in ratios of as little as 10 percent:
>
> 1. Ethanol attracts and absorbs moisture from the air. That means
> boaters will likely face more fuel contamination
> issues from water absorbed through their fuel tank vents.
>
> 2. Ethanol can dissolve some solid materials (e.g., varnish or even
> oxidation in steel and aluminum tanks)
> commonly found in fuel tanks, thereby contaminating the fuel.
> Additionally, it can loosen any corrosion or
> particulate matter in the fuel sys-tem.
>
> 3. In some cases, ethanol has been known to dissolve components of the
> fuel system itself (e.g., fiberglass fuel
> tanks). However, modern fuel hose is made to withstand the effects of
> ethanol exposure.
> 4. Ethanol blends can react chemically with MTBE fuel blends, causing
> additional contamination.
>
> Recommendations:
> Fuel blends using as much as 10 percent ethanol are appropriate for use
> in all of Yamaha's current outboard
> models. Yamaha does not recommend the use of fuels with higher
> concentrations of ethanol (e.g., E85, which
> contains 85 percent ethanol) or any other fuel blend that contains more
> than 10 percent ethanol. In addition,
> Yamaha recommends boat builder partners and boaters (as applicable) take
> the following steps to mitigate the
> potential impact of ethanol in motor fuel:
>
> 1. Use fuel system components that are compatible with ethanol blends or
> replace those in use that are not
> compatible (e.g., fiberglass fuel tanks).
>
> 2. Avoid co-mingling MTBE and ethanol-blended fuels. As a precaution,
> boaters should be advised to use only one
> supplier for fuel purchases in the months ahead to ensure constancy
> during the industry changeover period from
> MTBE to ethanol blends. 
>
> 3. Install a Yamaha mini-10(tm) filter or 10-Micron filter. The
> 10-Micron filter is designed for use on boats with
> Yamaha outboards. The smaller mini-10 is designed for smaller boats with
> engines 115hp and under. Both
> Yamaha products filter out contami-nants and separate water from fuel.
> The mini-10 features an aluminum head
> and is made from coated steel inside and painted steel outside to combat
> corrosion. The 10-Micron filter features
> either an aluminum or stainless steel head and is also made from coated
> interior and painted exterior steel. Both
> meet all U.S. Coast Guard and ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council)
> standards. (This filter will work on other
> engines besides Yamaha call the service department for details)
>
> 4. Consumers should be encouraged to carry spare filter cartridges in
> the event the filter element becomes
> clogged with contaminants while the outboard is in use.
>
> Related Considerations:
>
> All Yamaha products, rigging, accessories and parts, including Yamalube
> lubricants and fuel stabilizers are
> compatible with fuel blends using up to 10 percent ethanol.
>
> Here are a couple suggestions:
>
> 1.You should run as much of the old fuel out of your tank as possible
> (with out running out) before putting the
> Ethanol fuel in your tank. You should not mix the two.
>
> 2.When you start using the Ethanol Fuel you should install a 10 Micron
> fuel filter.
>
> 3. The fuel filter should be changed every 50 hours.
>
> 4. Carry an extra fuel filter with you on the boat.
>
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