Boat Motor Ethanol Fuel Additive
The use of E10 is fairly common but a word of caution is needed before using a
fuel treatment additive to combat the negative effects of using Ethanol Blended Fuel.
Be very leery of using an
alcohol based Fuel Additive.
According to the maker of Star Tron, an alcohol based Fuel Treatment can make E10 turn into E20, E30 or
worse as discussed below.
Ethanol 10
(E-10) has 4 main problems:
- DEBRIS IN FUEL, it will gum rapidly in
the fuel delivery system as it ages. However, ethanol is also a powerful solvent that will strip away and
disperse this build up back into the fuel as large, performance-robbing particles. This fuel debris build
up, now in semi-liquid form, clogs Filters, Injectors, and the Carburetors.
- Excessive water in the fuel and
phase separation, ethanol holds .5% water, no problem running,
but when the motor is shut down and sets up for a while that is when it all starts to happen. The phase separation can cause engine damage
and a big chunk out of your back pocket....if not a new
motor.
- Ethanol fuels break down quickly, over a short time ethanol begins to break down. As ethanol and other componets evaporate, the
fuel loses octane and becomes "STALE". This causes hard starts, pinging and engine knock, which robs your
engine of power and can cause damage.
- Ethanol causes lost of power, performance and decreased fuel
economy, Ethanol fuel does not produce as much energy as traditional fuel.
This results in inefficient combustion, decreased performance, reduced throttle response and poor fuel
economy.
Starbrite STAR TRON Enzyme Fuel Treatment
 Well, Starbrite STAR TRON, an Enzyme Fuel Treatment I ran across and presently using in my
motors, is designed to help with the many ethanol based fuel problems beating down boaters,
anglers, and even the guy at home running the lawn mower or
weed eater.
According to Bill Lindsey,
Vice President of
Marketing for Star Brite, maker of Star
Tron, it can be used with ANY /ALL
Fuel – from E5 to E10 to E85 to 100% gasoline
It is easy to use and effective and cannot be overdosed.
The product description at Bass Pro Shops states STAR TRON is ideal for E10 /
ethanol-blended gasoline. It stabilizes ethanol-blended gasoline for up to one year along with
improving fuel economy, reducing emissions, cleans entire fuel delivery
systems and removes carbon deposits then preventing future deposits.
I have even gone that extra step in finding it for you:
Steps To Purchase This Product:
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Use the Bass Pro Shops web site link on the bottom right side of
my web page to go to the Bass Pro web site.
In the Search Box at the top of their home page, type in
STARBRITE STAR TRON.
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The product runs $14 dollars and $25 depending on how much gas you are going to
run through your motor.
With WINTER not far off, I suggest, like I'll be doing, that you
use STARBRITE STAR TRON before storing the boat, mower, and weed eater.
In fact, make sure that you have STARBRITE STAR
TRON in all of your gas running machines especially any emergency back-up
electrical generators.
Don't forget the truck that will pull the boat.
Many thanks to:
Bill
Lindsey
Star
brite
Vice President
of Marketing
For
correcting basshogfishing and bringing me to up to date on the E15 fuel blend issue
so that I can pass up this important information on to my readers.
It’s
pretty unlikely that you are seeing E15 at any local gas stations. First of all, it
cannot be legally used in anything except cars or trucks that were built in 2011 or
later. Next, the gas stations would have to install new fuel tanks and pumps to
dispense the E15 since it cannot be used by cars or trucks older than 2011. Many engine
manufacturers an industry groups are filing law suits to prevent the use of
E15.
E15
cannot be used in any boats, motorcycles, generators, chain saws, or any other
gas-powered engines.
E10 is
fairly common. This fuel is 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. Ethanol is alcohol, which is
why using an alcohol-based fuel treatment can convert E10 into E20, E30 or worse. Most
engines manufactured since the 1980’s are not designed to run on fuel that contains
more than 10% alcohol. The new Flex Fuel vehicles are built to operate on E85
(85% alcohol, 15% gas) because they have special fuel lines and fuel injection
components that can withstand that much alcohol. If someone were to use an
alcohol-based fuel treatment with E10, it could cause the engine to run too lean which
could lead to engine damage. Another problem is that alcohol can damage fuel lines. No
fuel treatment can prevent this from happening. The only solution is to install new,
alcohol-resistant fuel lines and primer bulbs.
The
most common effects of using E10 in your boat are these:
· Gummed up
carburetors and injectors
· Engines that are
hard to start and run rough
Star
Tron can help with these problems. It uses very unique enzyme technology that allows
fuel to burn more completely. This means engines start easily and run smooth, at
maximum fuel economy. By allowing the fuel to burn more completely, there will not be
any formation of gums or carbon deposits. The enzymes also will help remove any
existing gums, varnish or carbon deposits. Regular use of Star Tron will keep
carburetors and injectors clean and operating properly.
For
what it’s worth, I have been running my 2005 Yamaha 225 hp four-stroke on E10 fuel for
over three years now. I did have to replace the fuel lines and primer bulb, but other
than that, because I use Star Tron with every fill up, I have had no fuel-related
engine problems. I also use Star Tron in my car and truck fuel.
Please
feel free to contact us directly with any other questions you may
have.
Again,
thanks to Bill and am proud to carry Star Tron and the many products on my
websites. If you have not tried this
product, you are missing out on your engine running at its best. especially
when using E10 fuel.
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Additional Article:
Ethanol E-15 Definitely Not For Marine Engines As Test Show
Keep The Hooks Wet!
Steve
McGoldrick
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