Boat Engines -- The Ethanol Menace

Boat Engines -- The Ethanol Menace

(ARA) - Your boat's greatest enemy may be the fuel inside of it. There are a number of reports in the press about the negative effects of ethanol in marine fuel tanks -- this is a concern for boat owners.

The problem began when many areas began banning the use of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), replacing it with ethanol blends. This "new" fuel, referred to as E-10 (10 percent ethanol, 90 percent unleaded gasoline), was not designed with the fuel needs of marine engines in mind. Unlike fuel tanks in autos, boat tanks are vented to the air. Ethanol attracts a significant portion of its weight in water -- especially in warm, humid climates. When this occurs, the ethanol and the water separate from the fuel and settle at the bottom of the tank. The result is goo in the fuel systems, clogged filters and stalled engines. If that isn't bad enough, ethanol has negative effects on fiberglass tanks.

What can be done to counter the effects of ethanol? A product like MARINE Formula STA-BIL can protect boat engines by keeping good marine gasoline from going bad, improving the engine's performance, preventing gum and varnish from forming and counteracting many of the effects of ethanol.

Compared to regular STA-BIL, MARINE Formula STA-BIL has double the corrosion inhibitors, preventing corrosion damage to fuel tanks, fuel lines, carburetors and injectors. It's also a complete fuel system cleaner, with five times the cleaning additive to help clean up deposits from fuel lines, carburetors, injectors and intake valves.

MARINE Formula STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer is an ideal choice for boaters and personal watercraft owners who store their equipment for the winter months. And can be used every day to provide year-round protection against corrosion from ethanol-caused water build-up in gas tanks and fuel lines. Its multi-talented formula even includes a fuel system detergent to keep intake valves and fuel injectors clean for improved engine performance during the boating season.

MARINE Formula STA-BIL ensures quick, easy starts in all two- and four-cycle marine engines -- even after months of cold storage. It is also safe to use in all cars, trucks, SUVs, boats, tractors, motor homes, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, personal watercraft, lawnmowers, snow blowers, tillers, weed trimmers, golf carts, power washers and generators. It stabilizes all gasoline, gas/oil mixtures and ethanol blends.

Courtesy of ARAcontent