Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > Technical > General Q & A
Gasoline Quality >

Gasoline Quality

Notices

Gasoline Quality

Thread Tools
 
Old 12-22-2011, 02:59 PM
  #1  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Spicewood, Texas USA
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default Gasoline Quality

Thought I'd share something I ran across recently. A customer brought in a Fountain with twin HP500's in August. One of the engines was blown, so we rebuilt it and just got it reinstalled. All is well. However we tried to start the engine that we didn't work on and it would not start. Long story short the fuel stting in the carb was bad(fresh in August). Drained the float bowls and seperator and refilled with fresh fuel. The fuel had turned yellowish but had no water in it. The fuel in the tank runs but I certainly expect it's lost a lot of octane. I've always heard that ethanol fuel has about a 6 week shelf life, but this is the first time I've seen it so drastically demonstrated.

Bob Lloyd
Full Throttle Marine
bobl is offline  
Old 12-22-2011, 03:03 PM
  #2  
Registered
 
On Time's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Houston
Posts: 3,578
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by bobl
Thought I'd share something I ran across recently. A customer brought in a Fountain with twin HP500's in August. One of the engines was blown, so we rebuilt it and just got it reinstalled. All is well. However we tried to start the engine that we didn't work on and it would not start. Long story short the fuel stting in the carb was bad(fresh in August). Drained the float bowls and seperator and refilled with fresh fuel. The fuel had turned yellowish but had no water in it. The fuel in the tank runs but I certainly expect it's lost a lot of octane. I've always heard that ethanol fuel has about a 6 week shelf life, but this is the first time I've seen it so drastically demonstrated.

Bob Lloyd
Full Throttle Marine
Hey Bob you put headers on my friend Barry's 353 Formula. I have kept E10 in my Fountain treated with full dose green Sta-Bil from Nov-April for 4 years with no problem in spring. I am going to try the empty tank method this winter.
On Time is offline  
Old 12-22-2011, 03:26 PM
  #3  
Registered
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I allways suck all the fuel out of the tank after I run a crap load of stabil through it the last time I run the boat. I allways like to have fresh fuel in the sping. I just hope that the stabil does its job in the carbs over the winter. Never have had a problem.
I DIG IT !! is offline  
Old 12-22-2011, 04:58 PM
  #4  
Registered
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Millstadt, IL
Posts: 1,888
Received 18 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

After I took out the tops of the rod berrings I am much more carfull with fuel. E10 is not a boaters friend....
jeffswav is offline  
Old 12-22-2011, 05:10 PM
  #5  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Spicewood, Texas USA
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

We've seen several damaged engines this year that the only plausible explanation was bad fuel.


Bob Lloyd
Full Throttle Marine
bobl is offline  
Old 12-22-2011, 06:29 PM
  #6  
Registered
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Millstadt, IL
Posts: 1,888
Received 18 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

Ya, thats what I have been telling everyone, keep it fresh not full. Just because you have a 200 gallon fuel tank does not mean you should keep it full. I have a 62 gallon tank and I normally run it half full, unless taking a big trip. Only pump what you will burn in a couple of weeks.
jeffswav is offline  
Old 12-22-2011, 06:39 PM
  #7  
Registered
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

According to the fuel rep's 3 weeks is all you get now. After that point it begins to deteriorate. Such a bargain at only $5 a gallon up here..
HaxbySpeed is offline  
Old 12-22-2011, 06:57 PM
  #8  
Registered
 
tcelano's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by HaxbySpeed
According to the fuel rep's 3 weeks is all you get now. After that point it begins to deteriorate. Such a bargain at only $5 a gallon up here..
That's awesome. I've long suspected that the only real reason for the Enthanol is for Big Oil to keep a stranglehold on the supply line, and prevent smaller operations from buying quantity and hedging, etc.
tcelano is offline  
Old 12-22-2011, 07:05 PM
  #9  
Registered
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Millstadt, IL
Posts: 1,888
Received 18 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by tcelano


That's awesome. I've long suspected that the only real reason for the Enthanol is for Big Oil to keep a stranglehold on the supply line, and prevent smaller operations from buying quantity and hedging, etc.
Corn ethanol is all about politicians, and the EPA. It makes no sence at all, it takes more energy to make and creates less energy (lower MPG). Vote for Ron Paul and get the crap over with.......
jeffswav is offline  
Old 12-22-2011, 07:19 PM
  #10  
Banned
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Frankfort,ill
Posts: 12,861
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by HaxbySpeed
According to the fuel rep's 3 weeks is all you get now. After that point it begins to deteriorate. Such a bargain at only $5 a gallon up here..











ROCK ON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ITS A SKATER NATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY CHRISTMAS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RunninHotRacing163.1 is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.