St Kilda Boat Sales - Ethanol Damages Engines
8 November 2011
Ethanol Damages Engines
WASHINGTON – The results from two studies conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on the effects of E15 on marine engines were released, showing that the gasoline and ethanol blend can cause issues including drivability, materials compatibility, increased emissions, and long-term durability in outboard, stern drive and inboard engines, according to the release.
The High Ethanol Fuel Endurance study tested the effects of E15 and E0 on four-stroke and two-stroke Mercury outboard engines that included the 9.9HP four-stroke, the Verado 300HP Supercharged four-stroke and the 200 EFI two-stroke.
In addition to increase fuel consumption in two of the engines, the study showed that E15 caused damage to two out of three outboards and complete failure in the Verado 300HP engine, as well as “degraded emissions performance outside of engine certification limits,” according to the release.
The results of the study reinforced the industry’s concerns about proper warning labelling at fuelling stations. In September, the NMMA, along with the Engine Products Group, filed a suit challenging the rules regarding gas pump misuse controls for gas pumps containing up to 15 percent Ethanol.
According to the NMMA, the new rules would not do enough to prevent possible damage to marine engines from possible misfueling with E15 fuel, and petitioned to require E10 fuel to also be sold at gas stations.
“Current proposals by the ethanol industry to increase the amount of ethanol in gasoline should seriously concern all boaters and owners of other small engine equipment,” said Thom Dammrich, NMMA president. “Although NMMA strongly supports renewable fuels as a means to reduce America’s dependence on foreign sources of oil and improve the environment, there is growing evidence that ethanol is not the answer to America’s energy challenge.”
Full versions the studies can be downloaded here: Emissions and Durability Test, Fuel Endurance test.
Aussie Boating Industry says NO to Ethanol
Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIA) has warned Victorian boat owners not to use ethanol fuels in their boats to avoid potentially costly damage to engines and fuel systems.
The warning comes after it was determined by government officials that the shelf life of ethanol fuel can be as little as two to three weeks.
With many boat owners not using their boats every weekend, the fuel can start separating and cause engine damage once it reaches its expiry date.
BIA General Manger Robert Coco said BIA Victoria was committed to alerting boat owners of the damage that ethanol fuel could do to boats that were not in regular use.
“Whilst many engines are fine with a 10% ethanol blend, the shelf life of ethanol puts boat motors in danger of damage,” he said.
“Boaters should check that the petrol they are using is ethanol free, by looking at the labels at service stations before filling up.
“Ethanol can eat into fibreglass fuel tanks and other parts of the fuel system, which in turn can lead to harmful deposits in the engine.”
Non-ethanol fuel is still readily available in Victoria, although not in New South Wales, which can be an issue for boaters on the Murray and other northern waterways.
Regular unleaded fuel in New South Wales had 2% ethanol, which is set to increase to 4% by 2010 and 6% by 2011.
Premium unleaded is the only ethanol-free fuel in NSW, which has prompted many marinas to stock only premium to avoid the risks associated with ethanol.
All pumps in Victoria that dispense ethanol blend petrol should have the percentage of ethanol in the petrol clearly displayed.
If not, it can be reported by phoning: 1800 803 772.
No Ethanol or Additives for the St Kilda Marina Fuel Dock
St Kilda Boat Sales operates the Fuel Dock at St Kilda Marina and does not supply fuel containing Ethanol nor any other Additives.
Whilst we take environmental and conservation issues very seriously, the use of Ethanol and any other Additives has been proven to cause damage to your boats engine and fuel tank. Therefore, potentially putting life and mechanical integrity of your vessel and/or engine(s) at risk. A risk we were not willing to chance.
Our fuel is sourced directly from BP and several years ago, we consulted BP and the major marine engine manufacturers including: Mercury, Honda and BRP (Evinrude) and vessel builder International Marine (makers of Caribbean / Bertram) who were all in agreement - that it was not reccomended for a "marine application".
However (and not to be misunderstood), the use of Ethanol or other substitute additive, in a motor vehicle is supported, due to the nature of vehicle engines and fuel tank composition in motor vehicles.
Consequently, following discussion with the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIA) who was also of the same independant opinion, we made a simple policy and that was to supply the best quality fuels available to us in the most environmentally friendly manner, WITHOUT Ethanol or any other fuel Additive.
This policy still remains current today, we are not about to substitute quality, nor mess with our customers lives or thier engines.....So we continue to have a "watching brief" under the guidance of the engine manufacturers and the BIA Vic, and will advise of any future developments in this very emotional issue.