Since ethanol wasn’t a big enough problem for anglers (and pheasant hunters, cattle ranchers, lawn-mower owners, etc.), our wonderful federal government is “fixing” that. The EPA is now allowing oil companies to increase the amount of ethanol found in gasoline from 10% (E-10 gas) to 15% (E-15 gas).
Why? Coin, man! It’s always about the coin.
The issues remain:
> Higher acidity that damages motors, older fuel lines and gas tanks.
> More water: Ethanol gasoline contains water that dissolves in fuel and apparently does not get trapped by the fuel-water separator so this watery crap runs through the motor. Plus it can separate in the tank: Water/ethanol on the bottom and a reduced-octane gasoline at the top of the tank, both of which will damage your engine.
(Btw, that water problem is worse in a warm, humid climate – any bassin’ done in such places?!)
Other than some farmers and the oil companies profiting – I’m pretty much convinced that high fuel prices are just another form of tax – not sure how anyone thinks this is a good idea.
E-gas is supposed to reduce harmful emissions, but it also reduces the performance and efficiency of automobile engines, among the aforesaid boat problems.
If this keeps up, you’re supposed to replace all rubber fuel lines and connections with ethanol-compatible products, possibly change your gas tank, change fuel filters more often and I guess fork over stupid money when your outboard prematurely wears out.
Thank you Uncle Sam – and the dang oil companies….
5 Comments
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Ken Cook
September 19, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Sucks is not a strong enough word. Nobody wins except the lobbyists.
Avidbasser
September 19, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Not sure what the oil companies have to do with it. The only ones benefiting from it are the politicians, large agribusiness companies like ADM and corn farmers. A complete scam on anyone else. Thankfully here in OK it’s still relatively easy to find ethanol-free fuel.
Jeff Hahn
September 20, 2011 at 7:45 am
We all know this SUCKS! Hey Jay, using your contacts with the folks in the outboard industry, why don’t you see if they can come-up with a cheap enthanol testing kit that we could use to test gas at local stations, before deciding which ones to boycott.
Chad Keogh
September 20, 2011 at 8:16 am
I don’t know about down in the USA, but in Canada the gas stations have to indicate right on the pump if the fuel contains ethanol and what percentage. However, you can pretty much assume that any grade lower than premium other than marine gas (purple gas) has ethanol.
Rich Arnold
September 20, 2011 at 11:10 am
I know that this is a trend not likely to go away. Therefore, I bought a Mercury Opti Max Pro XS when I got my boat last year. This engine is (according to several mechanics I spoke with) the best design for dealing with the evils of ethanol. The ruber lines have a special treatment to prevent damage, there is an inline filter as well as an internal filter to deal with the water seperation. The only thing to do about the fuel in your tank is to either burn it all during fishing or treat what you have in the tank with a stabilizer. The trick is to not let the boat sit with fuel in it. Hard task if you live up north and the lakes freeze. I am lucky enough to live within 20 minutes of Guntersville.