Ethanol vs. Non-ethanol

Bought a new 25 HP Yamaha two stroke In 2008. The motor is run hard almost nine months a year. I have always used non-ethanol fuel from Duncan’s in Goose Creek. Due to pump dispenser problems at Duncan’s for a few day’s I used ethanol fuel. On the second tank of ethanol my motor started to act up. The motor was missing, and would only run at half throttle. I nursed the boat back to the landing. Upon inspection I found both spark plugs to be fouled. I guess the ethanol broke some carbon loose in the engine and it fouled the plugs. I installed new plugs, and the motor is again running great.
I wonder how many boater’s have been robbed by dealership maintenance for this minor problem.
Bottom line, outlaw ethanol fuel in any small engine.

Hey cork man,do you know how to test your fuel for ethanol?Google it,I test mine before fueling up.

There are some pretty good threads about this on another popular boating/fishing website! I remember some discussions saying switching to one fuel from another can break loose some of the bad stuff that sits on the bottom of your fuel tank. If it has a fuel filter, how does it look?

quote:
Originally posted by Russcue1

There are some pretty good threads about this on another popular boating/fishing website! I remember some discussions saying switching to one fuel from another can break loose some of the bad stuff that sits on the bottom of your fuel tank. If it has a fuel filter, how does it look?


There’s another boating/fishing website?
quote:
Originally posted by sman
quote:
Originally posted by Russcue1

There are some pretty good threads about this on another popular boating/fishing website! I remember some discussions saying switching to one fuel from another can break loose some of the bad stuff that sits on the bottom of your fuel tank. If it has a fuel filter, how does it look?


There’s another boating/fishing website?

Blasphemy!:smiley:

But I agree, non-e or nothing on my 2 smokes!

Fishing Nerd

“skilled labor isn’t cheap, cheap labor isn’t skilled”

quote:
Originally posted by corkman

Bought a new 25 HP Yamaha two stroke In 2008. The motor is run hard almost nine months a year. I have always used non-ethanol fuel from Duncan’s in Goose Creek. Due to pump dispenser problems at Duncan’s for a few day’s I used ethanol fuel. On the second tank of ethanol my motor started to act up. The motor was missing, and would only run at half throttle. I nursed the boat back to the landing. Upon inspection I found both spark plugs to be fouled. I guess the ethanol broke some carbon loose in the engine and it fouled the plugs. I installed new plugs, and the motor is again running great.
I wonder how many boater’s have been robbed by dealership maintenance for this minor problem.
Bottom line, outlaw ethanol fuel in any small engine.


I hear ya on the outlawing Ethanol! hate the stuff and all the damage it has caused. that said I doubt your recent tank of fuel was the cause of your spark plug fouling. Biggest issue with ethanol fuel is lack of frequent use and it’s nature to absorb water and phase separate. If I was a commercial guy and ran my boat weekly I would have no problem using ethanol blended fuels. factually most boaters are not frequent users leaving the CRAP ethanol fuel to sit in the tank absorbing our outrageous Humidity and then doing major damage to our fuel systems…….

I would say the amount of damage caused to small engines (lawn mowers, weed whackers, outboards, chain saws, four wheelers, generators, etc) that have not had proper fuel stabilizers added for extended storage/lack of use would boggle the mind.

I have learned to cut the fuel valve off and let the engine burn out all the fuel in the system makes the process easyer to start next time. Iv’e installed a cut off valve on all my internal combustion motors and it sure has worked for me

I was having issues after idling for long periods while crabbing & when heading in Yam 115 4 stroke would miss at 3000 rpm range, I could forward throttle & it would eventually smooth out. After changing all 3 filters, checking plugs, several cans of Sea Foam & some Mechanic In A Bottle hooked to laptop but no codes showed up. Issue persisted until contacting Yam rep who said it sounded like carbon issue told me to add Yam Ring Free fuel additive & that solved my problem.

Since day one, I’ve run nothing but E-free in my boat (115hp Yamaha SHO) and…knock on wood…I’ve not had any problems out of it for the three years I’ve had it. The longest it has ever sat without being used/cranked was three months and the first time using it after those three months, it cranked right up at the ramp with the first turn of the key.

My personal vehicle is the only thing with an engine I own that doesn’t get E-free.

“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot

I’ve used both in my '87 Mercury 50 Classic 45hp. When I first got the boat, I used nothing but E-free. Then I started having issues. It didn’t want to get up on plane, coughed & sputtered. I tried the Seafoam treatment and it ran a little better, but not much. I took it to a mechanic to get the carbs rebuilt and fuel lines checked out. He did the work and while we were running the motor, he said he used nothing but ethanol gas along with Stabil Marine 360 in everything he owns. I stated doing the same and haven’t had any issues for 6 months so far. I do use the boat regularly, about once a week or so. The mechanic is a 67 yr. old, semi-retired guy that says he’s been working on boat motors since he was in high school. He knows his chit.

Bob Van Gundy
803-727-4069
Custom Aluminum Fabrication

Bob; i bet your mechanics name might have been Tommy. just a guess. he is good at what he does or did.

I have always used ethanol fuel straight from the pump on a 2-stroke 90 hp '01 Yamaha, but, I also use Startron fuel treatment, change my fuel/water separator on a regular basis. I can drain my bowl and do so ever so often. I check my plugs on a regular basis and they always look good.
Am I living on borrowed time? Maybe. Since 2006. I do plan on draining the tank this year completely, but will still use regular pump gas. Non-E hunting is not worth it and it shouldn’t cost as much as it does. Also my engine is supposed to be 87 octane, not 91.

quote:
Originally posted by COOLBREEZE

Bob; i bet your mechanics name might have been Tommy. just a guess. he is good at what he does or did.


Nope. His first name is Curtis. He’s in Gaston.

Bob Van Gundy
803-727-4069
Custom Aluminum Fabrication

I would NEVER use an ethanol gas without an additive anymore. Stabil Marine 360 does about everything I need and I have not had issues since I started using it in my DF140 (and all my other fuel eaters). I do fill up the boat with non-ethanol and still use the Marine 360 to be sure.

Sharpe’s Gas Station on 321 North in Blythewood has REAL 93 Octane E0 (no ethanol). Hard to find fo sho. [34.154593, -81.042253]

Wish Andy had an E0 Sticky somewhere to post whereabouts of E0.


Capt. Garry Coats
Folly Beach & CHS
@DolphinChartersSC

Who the heck is going all the way to Blythewood?Besides quarter pound says non-E is not worth it and he knows about gasoline and silting.