Is ethanol gas bad for 2 stroke engines?
When left untreated, the ethanol blended into most gas can damage 2 cycle engines. In this FAQ, Toley McGettigan, Horizon’s National Sales Manager for Power Equipment, describes the problems ethanol causes over time and offers a simple solution that can keep the engine in your 2 cycle power equipment running properly.
What kind of gas do you use in an outboard motor?
All current outboard, sterndrive and inboard gasoline engines are designed to operate safely on fuel with no more than 10 percent ethanol (known as E10), and under no circumstance should fuel with more than 10 percent ethanol (such as E15 or E85) be used in a marine engine.
What is the best gas for 2 stroke outboards?
That said, your choice of fuel remains critical. Burning 87-octane gasoline in a two-stroke outboard causes carbon buildup that shortens engine life. Dose the fuel with a carbon-cleaning additive or fill the tank with 89-octane or higher fuel.
Can you use ethanol in an outboard motor?
Regardless of whether you use a premium gas which contains ethanol or ethanol-free gas, it is not a good idea to have that fuel sit in your tank for an extended amount of time. When the gas sits in your tank over time it causes moisture to build in your fuel system which can cause damage to your outboard motor.
What kind of gas is bad for outboard motors?
Most gas sold contains ethanol. This ethanol causes problems and can potentially damage outboard motors.
How does ethanol affect the life of a boat?
Ethanol is hygroscopic, meaning it has a strong attraction to moisture. Ethanol increases the amount of water accumulating in fuel tanks. Ethanol produces less energy (BTUs) than an equivalent unit of gasoline. Ethanol fuel’s usable life span may be less than the normal length of off-season boat storage.
What happens if you put ethanol in your engine?
According to Mercury Marine: “Fuel containing higher proportions of ethanol is not compatible with many fuel system and engine components and, if mistakenly used, will cause irreversible damage to these components that will lead to engine failure and potential safety risks.”
Regardless of whether you use a premium gas which contains ethanol or ethanol-free gas, it is not a good idea to have that fuel sit in your tank for an extended amount of time. When the gas sits in your tank over time it causes moisture to build in your fuel system which can cause damage to your outboard motor.
Most gas sold contains ethanol. This ethanol causes problems and can potentially damage outboard motors.
According to Mercury Marine: “Fuel containing higher proportions of ethanol is not compatible with many fuel system and engine components and, if mistakenly used, will cause irreversible damage to these components that will lead to engine failure and potential safety risks.”
Ethanol is hygroscopic, meaning it has a strong attraction to moisture. Ethanol increases the amount of water accumulating in fuel tanks. Ethanol produces less energy (BTUs) than an equivalent unit of gasoline. Ethanol fuel’s usable life span may be less than the normal length of off-season boat storage.