[Rhodes22-list] Ethanol problems

[Gary Novotny]

Susan,

My experience with gasohol and small engines has lead me to never put 
gasohol in any small engine that isn't used frequently such as my 
motorcycle, chainsaw, pressure cleaner, lawn tractor, generator or my 
Tohatsu outboard. After numerous trips to the small engine mechanic for 
carburetor rebuilds, I have sworn to always use Rec gas in all my small 
engines and I haven't had another problem since. I haven't found using 
Rec gas afterwords will correct problems once they have occurred. For 
your issue, you might try using a spray carburetor cleaner, or a fuel 
additive such as Techron, which might work if the problem isn't too 
severe. I live in Florida and gasohol seems to deteriorate rather 
quickly when stored in small amounts such as an engine gas tank.

I always use a fuel stabilizer in any gas I put in a small engine, this 
is an essential step regardless of the type of fuel you use. A lot of 
boaters down here use Sea Foam added to the fuel of their outboards and 
seem to think it helps. I've been using STA-BIL for many years with good 
success with Rec Gas, but it doesn't work well with gasohol. They have 
some other product for that application, which I haven't tried as I gave 
up using gasohol altogether.

Gary

S/V Moon Shadow 1978 Rhodes 22

S/V Blackfish 1987 Corsair F27

Ankona Fl.


On 6/18/2017 2:14 PM, Susan Crane wrote:
> I posted a query last fall about the problems I was having with my Mercury
> outboard and received several very helpful replies that basically indicated
> that my problems with stalling and erratic idling were due to buildup of
> ethanol residue in the carburetor.  So I have tried unplugging the gas line
> and letting the motor run till it stalls, but I am still having problems.
> This is probably a silly question, but when one does that with the gas line,
> do you leave it unplugged until the next time you use it or do you reattach
> it after the motor stops, or does it matter?  Just in case anyone wonders, I
> have been adding fuel treatment to the gas.  Next question:  I have found a
> local gas station which sells ethanol free gas and am going to switch to
> that.  Will using it help clean out the carburetor or do I need to have it
> cleaned or replaced?  I had a new carburetor put in last summer and the
> motor ran perfectly for a few outings before the problems recurred.
> Obviously, I know nothing about outboard motor functioning and the mechanic
> at my marina has been less than helpful.  He doesn't seem to believe that it
> is an ethanol issue.  I am trying to avoid buying a new outboard, but am at
> my wits end with this.  Just the stress of the motor stalling while docking
> takes some of the fun out of sailing.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.
>
>   
>
> Susan Crane
>
> s/v Whimsy
>
> Bohemia River
>
> Chesapeake Bay
>
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-- 
Gary Novotny
7309 S Indian River Drive
Fort Pierce Florida 34982
772-4660956 home
772-9715753 cell
gjnovotny at comcast.net