The latest trend to push (mandate) ethanol blend fuels on the American Public will affect everyone, especially marine and outboard boat owners.
Ethanol can damage outboard engine components.
Precautions must be taken to protect your outboard engine from E10 ethanol alcohol gas.
Read Article:
By, The Outboard Wizard
Recently most states are switching over to a 10 % ethanol blend fuel at the gas pumps. Ethanol is now used to replace MTBE, the oxygenating chemical found in gasoline.
Unfortunately, what many don't realize, is that ethanol has been banned for years for use in certain engines (airplanes), due to the well known damage and problems it causes to the engine performance and parts.
Farming equipment is also exempt from using ethanol gas due to the rapid deterioration it has on farming equipment. Farmers profit from the latest trend to increase ethanol use since it's made from corn...
Ironic don't you think?
The recent ethanol advertisements popping up everywhere, portray ethanol as the most innovative discovery, since the invention of the wheel. Reality is ethanol has been around for hundreds of years.
Corn is Safe, Ethanol Fuels are Not-
The Marine Industry:
It's sad that the marine industry has not been more vocal, warning boat owners of the damage ethanol will cause to their outboard engines.
The negative effects ethanol will have on your outboard motor - will likely force you to buy a new outboard sooner than expected (after ethanol destroys your old motor). In the meantime, marine mechanics, including me - The Outboard Wizard, have had a sudden surge in repair jobs at their shops due to damage directly attributed to the gasoline (ethanol/alcohol) blends) now found at most gas pumps. On a positive note, the newer outboard engines (Evinrude E-Tec), are designed to be compatible with ethanol fuel.
Advantages of Ethanol:
Is a renewable fuel that is made from corn or other domestic grains.
Can be produced right here in the United States. Reduces American dependence on foreign countries for fuel.
Claims to burn cleaner than gasoline, reducing environmental pollution.
Truth vs. fiction?
Ethanol is new...Not true.
In reality ethanol has been around for a very long time. It's simply an alternative fuel made from corn.
Ethanol is also known as "moonshine" - a homemade whiskey, that's been enjoyed by drinkers for more than a century (100+ years).
Ethanol is cheaper-
Ethanol costs the same as other ingredients that are used to oxygenate fuel.
Ethanol recently has gained support (and tax credits) as an alternative fuel to help solve America’s oil crisis and environmental problems.
Ethanol is safe for all engines - Planes, cars, trucks, lawn mowers, boats...WRONG!
Even the iowacorn.org issues caution against using corn (ethanol) oxygenated fuels, their website states, "...Not all manufacturers mention oxygenated fuel either as approved or not approved..."
The FAA banned ethanol and other alcohols for use in airplanes many years ago.
Several marine corporations warn owners from use of any alcohol blend fuels (gasahol, ethanol, etc.).
The Marine industry advises that using greater than 10% ethanol in your fuel will damage your engine.
Ford and GM know ethanol is bad for cars, which explains why they're currently designing and selling a new FFV.
What is E85?
Ethanol – or E85 is a blend of 85 % ethanol and 15 % unleaded gasoline. E85 is classified as an alternative fuel by the U.S. Department of Energy.
E85 is the blend used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs).
What is a flexible fuel vehicle?
A flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) is a vehicle that can operate on any blend of ethanol up to 85%. If E85 is not available, the vehicle can operate on straight unleaded gasoline or any percentage of ethanol up to 85%.
Read Agri News Article 11/08/06:
Ethanol and Outboard Motor Engines:
Is the risk worth the advantages?
Alcohol blend, ethanol fuels can cause damage to marine & outboard engines.
Read:
On this web page I've posted pictures, that show support of ethanol, from sites such as ebay.com and ethanol.org...
Ethanol actually can damage some marine outboard engines.
I support America's farmers by eating corn and corn syrup found in almost everything we eat nowadays ...Plus many Americans (maybe too many) certainly support American farmers by drinking whiskey and other alcoholic drinks that are made from corn.
But I do not support ethanol-blend fuels for use in all outboard engines, especially older engines.
ETHANOL
Corn, Sugar, Whiskey, Fuel, Gas...
WHAT IS IT?
The Outboard Wizard
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