First ethanol problems

[huston]

I have two 22 gallon tanks on my Astro. I performed all the correct methods of winterizing with Stabil I think. I 've been out in the Astro maybe five times know and two of the times, I got to the ramp and boat would not start and run. Before the first outing, I started it up in the driveway. After discussing my symptoms with my mechanic, he said I had an fuel separating problem. I isolated one tank and siphoned 22 gallons of fuel out. I then set my fuel line into a tank of fresh fuel and started my engine. It ran, so I connected everything back, got me some more fuel and went out on the lake. I 've got one more 22 gallon tank to do. My mechanic said I could use the old fuel in a vehicle in small amounts. I hope this info can be used if anyone else has this problem.

[Mike S.]

That's exactly why mine sat completely empty all winter. Just think, they are going to keep adding more and more ethanol, and everything is going to be jacked up.

[Cy]

Huston,

When is the last time you De-carboned your outboard?

[huston]

Never De-carboned it, I usually run additives such as Seafoam with every other tank and I have also been adding Quicksilver Quickleen engine & fuel system cleaner. I had this rig since 2002 and never had this problem. I fill up the tanks for winter and add Stabil Marine treatment, let it run a while and generally I'm good to go come the season. A friend at Wonderland, (Ralph) told me about Startron but said don't use it with other additives.

[Waterfoul]

Which Stabil did do you use, the blue or the red?  The blue Marine stuff has 10x more ethanol treatment addative than the red.

There are other reasons you might have gotten water in your fuel.  Were the tanks FULL or more than 3/4 full?  Are they plastic or metal tanks.  Both can get condensation during the winter (metal tanks get it worse) due to the changes in the weather... and with the mild, humid winter we had this year you would experience greater amounts of condensation.  Always store them either full (3/4 or more) or totally empty.  Never partially full.

[customfishn]

I am a heavy equipment mechanic and now seem to be a part time Marine mechanic.  I have seen 2 boats that just wouldn't run and 1 blown up.  The way the fuel is going we are going to have to buy special fuel for 2-stroke outboards.  Seems like I saw an issue of BassMaster that talked about that recently.

[Mike S.]

Yep, we are pretty much screwed. Funny part is that gas prices keep going up and taking money from the common man, and then the fuel gets crappier, and costs us tons of more money to repair our toys. But, the oil companies are still posting outrageous profits. You would have to think that those people have a hard time sleeping at night. But on the same note, they probably have million dollar beds.

So, the blue stabil is better?  I will have to use that. I definitely can't shell out the bucks to replace my outboard, or fix it for that matter, right now.

[huston]

I have two plastic tanks with plastic pick up hoses also. I removed one to inspect it and the screen on the bottom of it. Once I removed all the fuel from the one and put fresh fuel in it, I haven't had a problem, 22 gallons is almost $100.00 and I had to purchase a few more 5 gallon tanks to store it in. I've been putting in my car in 3 gallon quantities with additives. That Startron additive is supposed to eliminate the ethanol  so I purchased a couple of bottles. It's concentrated and inexpensive.

[huston]

Oil, Battery, Spark Plugs, Fuel and Fuel Additive Recommendations

Please consult your owner's manual, or http://www.mercurymarine.com for the BEST recommendations on each of these items!

This list will be updated as additional information is requested- check it regularly for the most current information!

Oil:
-These are the "top recommendations". Refer to your owner's manual for other oil specifications!
-ALL EFI/CARB 3.0L Engines: Mercury or Quicksilver Premium PLUS
-All STANDARD Optimax (75-250): Mercury or Quicksilver DFI/Optimax Oil
-ALL ProXS Models: Optimax/DFI Oil. Mercury or Quicksilver Premium PLUS is acceptable, but Optimax/DFI oil is RECOMMENDED due to a better additive package to help combat carbon deposits.
-ALL Racing/XS Models: PREMIUM PLUS

- (Note..... there was some conflicting information on Merc's Website- follow this recommendation for the latest information as it's released!)

Battery:
-MINIMUM 800CCA or 1000 MCA Capacity. More is better! Use Stainless Steel Lock nuts (don't use wing-nuts).
-IF you have a lot of accessories you are running, KEEP IN MIND that this specification is for the ENGINE CRANKING BATTERY. You may need to INCREASE the battery specification to provide adequate cranking capacity based on your accessories being run!
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(Recommended Batteries after Testing and information courtesy of Mercury Marine Research & Development)

-Odyssey PC1500, PC1700, PC2150 and PC2250.
-Optima Group 31
-West Marine Sea Volt Group 27 AGM.
-Cabela's Advanced Angler ** Group 24 and 27.
-Trolling Thunder TT1175 and TT1370.
-Excide Megacycle (Mercury Brand) MC-31 and XMC-31.
-Sears Die Hard Platinum 34M and 31M.
-Deka Sea Mate 8A27M and 8A31DTM.

** During initial testing, these batteries do not meet their advertised cranking ratings.
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Spark Plugs:
-QL77CC (Champion) for 3 Liter EFI's (.035" 2001 and prior and ALL 250XB, .040" 2002->)
-IZFR5G@ .032-.033" for Standard Opti's 135-225HP and 200 ProXS PRIOR TO Serial Number#1B912786
-IZFR5J @.032-.033 for 75-115 Opti's
-IZFR6J for 150, 175, 200 ProXS (Serial #1B912786-up) & 225-250 ProXS and Racing XS Motors
-2005 & prior: .032-.033"
-2006 & up: .042-.044" gap for best idle performance. (150/175/225/250 ProXS/XS)
- 250 XS/ProXS can use IZFR6J (gapped to .042-.044") OR IZFR6J-11 (pre-gapped, currently a "factory only" plug)
-2006 & up 225 ProXS: .042-.044"
-175 ProXS: .042-.044"
*** 200 ProXS Models manufactured PRIOR TO 2/1/12 utilize IZFR5G Plugs.
*** 200 ProXS Models manufactured AFTER 2/1/12 (Serial Number 1B912786 and later) will utilize IZFR6J (gapped at .042-.044") due to production changes in the engines.

-IZFR7M for 300XS: .044" Gap


FUEL:
-All models- MAXIMUM ETHANOL CONTENT: 10%. Ethanol content may adversly affect engine performance.
-See "Mercury's View of Ethanol" on Sherm's board at: Mercurys take on Ethanol blended fuel
-Standard Opti's (ALL) 87 Octane MINIMUM.
-XS, XB or Racing PRIOR to 2006- CONSULT OWNER'S MANUAL! Most require High-Test!
-ProXS and 250XS 2006-later: 87 Octane MINIMUM. Idle quality may improve with 89 Octane (mid-grade).
-300XS- Consult Owner's Manual. High Grade (minimum 91 Octane) fuel required!

Fuel Additive Recommendations:
-Stabilize fuel ANYTIME fuel will not be consumed and replaced within 15 days!!!
-Optis (ALL, including XS & ProXS): Quickleen in EVERY TANK OF FUEL. You CAN combine Mercury QuickCare or QuickStor Fuel System Treatment & Stabilizer (or Sea-Foam if you prefer it) with Quickleen. Use the recommended "dose" of each product per the bottle instructions. For anyone questioning Quickleen recommendation- see Service Bulletin 2001-12 (yes, it's been recommended since 2001!!!).
-Quickleen may be used in ANY Mercury engine- it helps to prevent/remove carbon buildup (primary purpose).

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"Mercury Component Cocktail" (Chemically, this works much the same as the below mentioned cocktail, and requires less components.) This is Don's Preferred "Cocktail":

-1oz Mercury QuickCare per 5 gallons fuel
-1oz Mercury QuickLeen per 5 gallons fuel
(If leaving fuel in boat for more than 30 days, be sure to also add Mercury QuickStor).
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"Alternate Cocktail" (IMO, this combination results in clean injectors, direct injectors and spark plugs):

-1oz Marine Stabil or Mercury QuickCare per 6 gallons fuel
-1oz Quickleen per 6 gallons fuel
-1-2oz SeaFoam per 6 gallons fuel

[Skulley]

I've used Stabil Marine and Startron.  Both are very good and I wouldn't recommend not using them.  I've never heard anything about not mixing them.  Did Ralph give you a reason why not to mix them??  I would be curious to know.  My marine engine mechanic said it was alright with my engine.  But I have an older motor that is about 15 to 20 years old. 


BD                       

[Waterfoul]

Most of the ethanol additives are based on the same chemical formulas.  Not sure why you couldn't mix any of them.  I run the Valvetech in my Merc.  Their rep told me last year that it is compatable (and better) than the others on the market.  I'm sure he was trying to make his product sound better, but it's been working for me.

In my store we sell more Valvetech than any other product, followed by Stabil, then Startron.  I have one customer who owns a landscaping company and he buys the Valvetech product by the gallon.

[FOB]

Did Ralph give you a reason why not to mix them??  I would be curious to know.

Just a good rule of thumb - try not to mix one additive with another.  Oil, Stabilizer, etc.  I know many say they are the same, but it only takes one different chemical to cause a bad reaction and it's not worth the chance or price tag. 
Waterfoul is correct - the Blue Stabil is made for Marine, as it says right on the bottle.  The red is for general use.
I fill both gas tanks completely full and add slightly more then the suggested amount for winter storage.  I then run the motor for the last time before storage using both tanks to insure the higher dosage gets into the lines and through the motor.  In the spring I make sure I run each tank completely empty before filling it back up, and I can say that I have done this for the last 5 years, and have had no problems.  I also run a stabilizer year round with every fill up, as well as Ring Free.  So far, so good.

[huston]

I use the Blue Marine Stabil, I have not put any of the Startron in the tank yet but since I emptied one by siphoning it out, I think I'll put the Startron in it. Having two tanks is not a blessing since if you don't switch tanks frequently, fuel may separate. I was using Seafoam and Quicksilver Quikleen. Both are supposed to clean fuel system components. The Startron, I believe is an enzyme which controls or eliminates ethanol. I keep an extra fuel pump, fuel/water filter and surgical gloves on the boat but I don't enjoy being a boat mechanic. I'm getting a little to old for this crawling all over that dang boat. I sure wish this wind would stop blowing so I could go burn some gas.