Ethanol

GASOLINE WITH 10% ETHANOL (E-10) IS COMING TO OUR AREA

Washington law currently has requirements for alternative fuels to be used in gasoline sold in Washington State. Because both Washington’s Renewable Fuel Standard and a similar Federal Standard require gasoline suppliers to comply with certain obligations with regard to renewable fuels – the suppliers will be making a transition to E-10 over the next few months.

The Port of Edmonds is currently receiving fuel from Associated Petroleum Products and they have informed us that they will deliver conventional gasoline to us as long as it is available. However,
their suppliers will likely be moving to ethanol during summer 2008.

The transition to E-10 has already happened in some areas like New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and California. The good news is that these states have generally found that problems can be resolved over time with some simple measures. It is very important that you talk with your mechanic about this and find out what their recommendations for your boat will be. Here are some facts published by BoatUS that may be helpful:

FACT: E-10 is a solvent that will clean gums and resins off fuel tank walls, with the potential to clog fuel filters and shut down the engine.	TIP: Be ready to change fuel filters more often, Particularly as you start using ethanol fuel. Carry spare 10-micron filters as well as a galvanized bucket to safely store the used filters until they can be disposed of properly. The problem typically disappears after 2-3 tanks of fuel.
FACT: Not all fuel hoses are compatible with ethanol.	TIP: Make sure hoses are marked J-1527.
FACT: Ethanol is known to chemically react with fiberglass fuel tanks, which can cause them to deteriorate and potentially fail. When ethanol corrodes a fiberglass tank, it creates a sludge that bypasses the filter and wrecks the engine.	TIP: Ethanol does not directly affect aluminum, stainless steel or polyethylene tanks.
FACT: Ethanol has the ability to attract greater amounts of water and “phase separate,” or form two separate solutions in the gas tank, usually over a long period of time. Once this happens, the engine may not run and internal damage can occur. The problem cannot be corrected; the only solution is to drain the tank and refill with fresh gasoline.	TIP: Problems with phase separation are rare and are most likely to occur when the boat is idle for long periods and the tank is partially filled. Leaving a tank partially filled with E-10 invites phase separation, which cannot be remedied by adding fresh gasoline. Once E-10 phase separates, the water will remain at the bottom of the tank. The best practical recommendation when the boat will be idle is to fill the boat’s fuel tanks to about 95% full, leaving room for expansion. A tank that is almost full limits the flow of air in and out of the vent, which reduces the chance of condensation adding water to the fuel. Many boat owners top off their boats gas tanks between outings to reduce condensation.

SOME DON’TS

• Don’t drain fuel tanks of E-10 gas. While it could eliminate any chance of phase separation, it’s potentially dangerous and not recommended.

• Don’t try to plug up a fuel tank vent to prevent moist air from entering a tank. Without room to expand, the additional pressure could rupture fuel systems components.

• Don’t install a water separator thinking it will prevent phase separation. Ethanol readily absorbs water (10 times more water than gasoline), which will burn safely through the engine. But if ethanol-enhanced gasoline does become saturate, an engine won’t run on the water-soaked ethanol solution, which sinks to the bottom of the tank.

• Don’t use E-85 in any boat.

For more information on coping with E-10, call your mechanic or research the internet. There are many tips published by other areas that have already transitioned to Ethanol.