Aborted Sunda't Niagara outing

[Stephen Glassic]

Jim and I headed west from Rochester for a day on the Niagara on Sunday. Stopped for gas at the last exit on I-490 before the thruway. The low gas light on the truck had just come on and the boat tank was reading just little over 1/4 tank. Bought $50 in gas and filled the boat which took about 9 gal and put the rest in the truck which gave me a little over 1/2 tank. A few miles before we got to Batavia, the truck started loosing power and the check engine light came on, so I got off at the exit and did a little checking and testing. We decided to turn around. By the time we got into Rochester, it was running worse and starting to sputter so I decided to drop the boat off before dropping Jim off. The truck did better without the boat and I went to Advance Auto to use their tester to check the codes. Got 24 codes with everything under the sun. Later after the Bills game I took it for another test. It was still acting up. Gas gauge was reading about 1/8 tank. Stopped and got some gas and jumped right on the highway. I accelerated fast coming off the entrance ramp and noticed the check engine light went out. Did a little more driving around and everything seemed fine.

Now I am wondering if there was water in the gas and I  am concerned about having problems with the boat. So now I am going to have to check that out.

At least I got to see the Bills win another game. GO BILLS!!

[John Jarosz]

get out the dry gas

[Bob Piazza]

Steve,

Running anything other than non ethanol in the boat is rolling the dice. Its tough to find sometimes but well worth the effort to keep the carbs running fine. The only thing I run regular gas in is the SUV, all outboards, chainsaws, trimmers etc are now non ethanol. Problems have diminished greatly. Good luck!

[Stephen Glassic]

Bob, I still don't really know for sure that the problem with the truck was due to the gas but it sure seems that way. So I am concerned about the possibility of having a problem with the boat. I plan on draining some gas out to check for water. I need to drain enough out to push out gas that is in the gas line. Then drain more into a clear container and see if there is water in it. Any water will be settled to the bottom of the tank.

I know it is advised to use ethanol free fuel but I have been using regular gas in my boat for 21 years without any problems with the fuel systems in the 1990 75  hp 2 stroke Merc and 1995 Evinrude 15 hp 4 stroke. I do keep the tank topped off most of the time to avoid condensation. Water in the gas is what causes separation of the ethanol. Ethanol can also cause breakdown of some materials such as fuel lines, gaskets and seals but I have not seen any of these problems. If I kept it on the water or left the tank half empty for long periods of time, it might be more important. I also have a 30 year old Toro lawn mower that I never used non ethanol gas in until this year, but never had a problem.  I have seen problems with weed eaters. the fuel lines and diaphragms deteriorated from the ethanol. They could use materials that will hold up but I don't know if any Mfrs do it.

[Frank Stachowiak]

Stephen Glassic said:

Bob, I still don't really know for sure that the problem with the truck was due to the gas but it sure seems that way. So I am concerned about the possibility of having a problem with the boat. I plan on draining some gas out to check for water. I need to drain enough out to push out gas that is in the gas line. Then drain more into a clear container and see if there is water in it. Any water will be settled to the bottom of the tank.

I know it is advised to use ethanol free fuel but I have been using regular gas in my boat for 21 years without any problems with the fuel systems in the 1990 75  hp 2 stroke Merc and 1995 Evinrude 15 hp 4 stroke. I do keep the tank topped off most of the time to avoid condensation. Water in the gas is what causes separation of the ethanol. Ethanol can also cause breakdown of some materials such as fuel lines, gaskets and seals but I have not seen any of these problems. If I kept it on the water or left the tank half empty for long periods of time, it might be more important. I also have a 30 year old Toro lawn mower that I never used non ethanol gas in until this year, but never had a problem.  I have seen problems with weed eaters. the fuel lines and diaphragms deteriorated from the ethanol. They could use materials that will hold up but I don't know if any Mfrs do it.

[Frank Stachowiak]

Frank Stachowiak said:I have been gassing up at Blue Water Marina.  Ethanol free and about $.35 p/gallon cheaper than nearby gas docks.

Stephen Glassic said:

Bob, I still don't really know for sure that the problem with the truck was due to the gas but it sure seems that way. So I am concerned about the possibility of having a problem with the boat. I plan on draining some gas out to check for water. I need to drain enough out to push out gas that is in the gas line. Then drain more into a clear container and see if there is water in it. Any water will be settled to the bottom of the tank.

I know it is advised to use ethanol free fuel but I have been using regular gas in my boat for 21 years without any problems with the fuel systems in the 1990 75  hp 2 stroke Merc and 1995 Evinrude 15 hp 4 stroke. I do keep the tank topped off most of the time to avoid condensation. Water in the gas is what causes separation of the ethanol. Ethanol can also cause breakdown of some materials such as fuel lines, gaskets and seals but I have not seen any of these problems. If I kept it on the water or left the tank half empty for long periods of time, it might be more important. I also have a 30 year old Toro lawn mower that I never used non ethanol gas in until this year, but never had a problem.  I have seen problems with weed eaters. the fuel lines and diaphragms deteriorated from the ethanol. They could use materials that will hold up but I don't know if any Mfrs do it.