Ethanol or non-ethanol?

[jimmyluke]

I recently finished rebuilding the carb, New Automotive fuel lines, etc. etc. on my 1995 SP that I’m planning to sell after I take it for a test ride or two to make sure she’s working right. I’m sure the new fuel lines will hold up to today’s 10% ethanol fuel, but how about the diaphragms and other components in the carb? What is the life expectancy Of a new carb kit on 10% ethanol fuel? Or is non-ethanol still recommended?
Also I have a full tank of high test non-ethanol fuel treated with “STABIL” fuel stabilizer that is 2 years 10 months old. It don’t smell bad and the ski fired right up. Should I drain it out or not?
Thanks for any help JIM

 

[noviceskier]

Drain it out, fuel stabilizer isn't safe for 2strokes, but yes ethanol is fine, I've been running it in my skis since I got them. Also cheaper than paying 4 bucks for a gallon at a marina too.

 

[jimmyluke]

The reason I put fuel stabilizer in it was because it says in the Seadoo manual under “storage” to add fuel stabilizer prior to engine lubrication (fogging) to prevent fuel deterioration and carburetor gumming. Also it says on the bottle of “stabil” safe for all engines including 2 cycle. But that’s why I am asking the experts thank you for your help.

 

[noviceskier]

The reason I put fuel stabilizer in it was because it says in the Seadoo manual under “storage” to add fuel stabilizer prior to engine lubrication (fogging) to prevent fuel deterioration and carburetor gumming. Also it says on the bottle of “stabil” safe for all engines including 2 cycle. But that’s why I am asking the experts thank you for your help.

I'm no expert but fuel stabilizer can wash away the oil film protecting your engine from destroying itself.

 

[Seadoo Tuner]

After cleaning my fuel system out completely I run non ethanol 94 octane only. The rotax motors can use up to 10% ethanol fuel but some areas gas stations are now using 15% ethanol apparently. Ethanol draws in moisture, so at the least I would run the last tank of the season with non ethanol fuel before storage in the off-season.

 

[jimmyluke]

Thanks guys

 

[racerxxx]

You're 100% fine with fuel stabilizer. Sta-bil even makes a marine specific version which came out a few years ago. I have been running sta-bil in all my 2 and 4 stroke toys for years with. But if your gas is over 12 months old you should drain it.

 

[jimmyluke]

Thanks. I wonder what extra goodies are in the marine specific version?

 

[racerxxx]

Probably nothing, just a different color, lol.

 

[LikeabossTM]

The fear that stabilizer will wash away oil is unfounded, in proper doses. Gasoline is used to wash away oil!

It doesn't stop your oil from doing its job.

The marine version has extra anti-corrosion components to it.

 

[jimmyluke]

I’ll have to find some of that for winter storage

 

[mikidymac]

1. Yes, stabilizer is perfectly fine.
2. Do not use a cleaner like SeaFoam.
3. There is no reason to run anything but 87 octane.
4. Any fuel more than 6 months old even stabilized should really be replaced.
5. Non-ethanol is best.
6. We here in California can only get fuel with 5-10% ethanol and I haven't had a single fuel system issue in years of using it.

 

[jimmyluke]

That clears the mud. THANKS
JIM

 

[noviceskier]

Maybe I'm just too scared of the what if for stabilizer in 2strokes, but if others recommend it without any faults you're fine then, typically come winter time I have the tanks all emptied out anyways.

 

[racerxxx]

I know everyone shames seafoam, but honestly it's right on the can it's safe for 2 strokes and they make a marine version too. Would I use it over actually cleaning my carbs, no. But if you read the can it's safe. I think it's just the crazy YouTube videos that we watch with plumes of smoke rolling out the tail pipe. I also think that if you put the proper dosage it's so diluted. Not trying to stoke any flames on the subject, or just always read it on the forums here for years and never commented. In also sure the guys that used out as got kindly reprimanded for using it never had any ill side effects like an engine blowing.

It's sorta like when I used a can of engine restore in an old mustang and the crank split a month later. I always blamed that can yet I know it had nothing to do with it.

Sea Foam Motor Treatment | Oil & Fuel Additive | For Gas & Diesel

Sea Foam Marine PRO | Gasoline fuel treatment for marine engines

 

[Seadoo Tuner]

Lots of articles on the pros and cons and its interesting reading :

The good and bad about ethanol
Let’s start with the good news. Ethanol is a cleaner fuel than gasoline, and it helps reduce emissions when mixed with gasoline.

On the downside, ethanol is less energy-dense than gasoline – meaning that there’s more energy in a gallon of gas than there is in a gallon of ethanol. In general, ethanol has about 33 percent less energy than gasoline. So, the more ethanol in the fuel, the worse the fuel economy you’re going to get. Gasoline with 10 percent ethanol yields about 3
percent less fuel economy than straight gas.

According to the U.S. government, all gasoline-powered vehicles can use E10 safely. In practice, owners of classic cars have reported that the ethanol tends to dry out and cause decay in older rubber hoses, seals, and diaphragms.

The Truth About Ethanol in Gasoline | Digital Trends

Winter storage of ethanol-blended gas

Seasonal storage with E10 fuel is another likely time for problems. During storage, fuel will tend to oxidize; it will become “sour”, and may absorb water from condensation. Water-holding capacity of E10 fuel is reduced with lower temperatures, so phase separation is more likely with winter temperatures. E10 can hold approximately 0.5% water at 60°F (.64 ounces in a gallon, or 12 ounces of water in a 20-gallon gas tank), but can only hold about 0.35% water at 20°F (.45 ounces in a gallon).

Busting Ethanol Fuel Myths | West Marine

 

[NickCawks]

5. Non-ethanol is best.
fuel system issue in years of using it.

if you can find non-ethanol gas that is easily accessible to you, you should always run that. Same goes for your car.

 

[mikidymac]

if you can find non-ethanol gas that is easily accessible to you, you should always run that. Same goes for your car.

Agreed but not available here in California.