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 Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage 
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Post Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
I have my boat in the shop getting a new solenoid installed for my starter, a better water filter, and having my batteries moved, and they found that my fuel lines were collapsed from Ethanol. I just went over there to take a look at the lines and the interior of the lines was completely separated and collapsed in portions of the line. They replaced the line with a Ethanol resistant fuel line all the way into the motor. While I ran the motor dry, and ran sea foam with every tank, i imagine gas remained in the line over the off season and ate away at the lines. Just giving you guys a heads up. The shop (who mostly works on outboards) said they are using a little oil in the gas something like 200 parts to 1 on their four strokes, to help lube the carb and protect it. Not sure if this is a good idea or not, but they are finding this helps protect the motor from Ethanol damage.


Fri Nov 05, 2010 6:53 am
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
My honda 24hp had 12 hours run time on it and I had a problem like that. My wife and I went to ride and try new prop, i unstrapped motor and try starting to warm it up, nothing just turning over. I went back home removed all the air intake covers and got to the fuel solenoid , and it was eaten up, i cleaned with carb cleaner and emery clothe, reinstalled and it worked fine. I noticed Lucas oil has an additive, I did not read the label, but heard it was good for ethanol gas. There are some gas station advertising Ethanol free gas. I myself may just get extra gas cans and fill them up just for boat use. Imagine what this ethanol is doing to vehicles fuel injection systems.

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Fri Nov 05, 2010 8:20 am
Profile YIM
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
I had the same problem with my rig last year. My carb was shot and leaking gas everywhere. Took it in and the Ethanol had eroded the inside of the lines and clogged up the carb.

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Fri Nov 05, 2010 8:26 am
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
Just changed all fuel lines on mud boats and bay boats, Dam ethanol

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Fri Nov 05, 2010 8:28 am
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
Maybe we can start a new topic and anyone that see a gas staion advertise and/or knows a gas station with ethanol free gas, they can post location on here for us all to know.

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Fri Nov 05, 2010 8:41 am
Profile YIM
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
louisana sportsman already has a link to ethanol free gas stations just do a search once you get there on there site. ;)

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Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:21 am
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
here a link to ethanol cause its hard to find there

http://www.louisianasportsman.com/detai ... hp?id=2484

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Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:29 am
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
one more direct link

http://www.realgas.info/ethanol_free.php

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Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:31 am
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
what do you think about adding a little oil to help with the corrosion? Not sure if I want to do that or not, but I can't imagine it would hurt. IF they are doing on their 250 HP Yamha 4 strokes, I can't imagine it would hurt a lawnmower!


Fri Nov 05, 2010 10:05 am
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
Been putting Marine Stabil in my gas each time I fill up since the summer and haven't had an ethanol problem yet.


Fri Nov 05, 2010 10:16 am
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
I have never had a problem with running ethanol, while I was using it.

Once I modded my motor I decided to go strictly ethanol free since I was going to be running a higher octane than before. It's jsut one less thing to worry about.

I run a bottle of the lucas "tune up in a bottle" every few tanks, and I don't have any problems. I don't know about the Lucas oil additive.

In the Thibodaux/lafourche area there are many ethanol free pumps. I believe Conoco is ethanol free everywhere. At least that is what the signs say where I fill up at.

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Fri Nov 05, 2010 12:27 pm
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
idk if to much of that stabil is good for the motor either never used it? Had any problems with the stabil Jake?

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Fri Nov 05, 2010 1:33 pm
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage


Fri Nov 05, 2010 2:55 pm
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
Been adding an ounce of 2 stroke oil to the gallon of gas ever since it has been put in operation in 2007. Keeps everything lubed up. Got to remember in a 2 stroke there is oil in the gas and keeps carb and other things lubed, but in a 4 stroke the gas is dry and the carb gets no lube.

Of course I run a Godevil and Giga says there is no maintenance, so I just do it for the hell of it. ;)


Fri Nov 05, 2010 4:44 pm
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
Also, just to let you guys know the lines I replaced were purchased from Gator Trax less than a year ago. Obviously these lines are not designed to handle the blended fuel.


Fri Nov 05, 2010 5:11 pm
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2057&hilit=+Fuel+line

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Fri Nov 05, 2010 5:17 pm
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
I was looking at gokart racing fuel lines on ebay, they are good for alky engines so I would suspect ethanol would not hurt them.

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Fri Nov 05, 2010 5:36 pm
Profile YIM
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Post Re: Fuel Line and Ethanol Damage
One problem is with the stations around here, the pumps have one hose, and 3 choices, reg unlead, super unld(10% ethenol) or premium. So what ever the last person used, you will get some of that. I'm not sure how much, but some. So you may choose premium, and on say 5 gallons, you may get 1-2 qts of ethenol blend. Not to mention what goes through the pipline, may have Diesel in it also? There is no way to tell what you are actually getting.
Or if the trucker knew what he had in each tank? we've had stations with so much water in it, the cars would make it to the street and die.
I guess find a good station and stick with it.

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Sat Nov 06, 2010 8:16 am
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