Ethanol

[Redbone]

My motor started bogging down at WOT.  I'm pretty sure its a fuel issue.  I'm replacing my primer bulb and water separating filter tonight.  I sure hope that fixes my problem.  It figures something like this would happen a few weeks before season. It would be nice if it was ethanol eating my gas line and I caught it before any real trouble. But I'm am not sure if that's the culprit.

Has anyone had any issues with ethanol eating away at the lines? I have read online about it happening often.

[Skulley]

The only thing I have heard about pertaining to ethanol has been fuel separation. Be sure to use an additive like Stabile Marine or Star Tron. Both very good products. This is the case where a few bucks will save you hundreds in the long run. I am sure it will help keep your lines in better condition also.


BD.                         

[Redbone]

I replaced the plugs, bulb, and ws filter. Ethanol did not looked to be a factor. But the filter had a bunch of junk on it. Almost like rust. Or like the filter was really old and alling apart. I have it all ready to give it another shot. I have my fingers crossed.

[customfishn]

If those are not the problem check your reeds.  I just rebuilt a motor that had that same issue but he kept running it and sucked a stainless reed through a cylinder and not good things happened.  More then likely thats not it but just incase.

[Jmeis]

My 225 Merc did the same thing last year right after I got it, ook it back and when they ran it in the tank the fuel lines were literally collapsing, supposedly from the ethanol fuel. They repaced all the fuel lines and it has been perfect since.

[Waterfoul]

That junk in your filter was probably sediment from your tank.  The ethanol can eat at it, loosen it up, and clog your filter.  Just keep a good filter on your motor.  Change it every spring.

[Lightningboy]

When I replaced my fuel line I cut the old one open to take a look at the lining.  It was full of cracks, with small pieces missing.  The ethanol eats into the old style lining over time.

Check the printing on the fuel line.  Gray with red or orange printing is the old style, which will be degraded by ethanol.  The modern ethanol approved line is gray with blue printing.

BTW- what motor we talking about? 

[Redbone]

I have a 125 Merc with a carb. I updated the line to the motor with the grey with blue writing.  But from my tank to the bulb I have the thicker black lines.  I checked a small section of both lines and they look good. 

I put the muffs on last night and it ran better than it ever has.  Although It was not under load. I am hopefull that it will run just as good in the water.

My only concern is that I did not change my inline filter under the cowling.  There is zero room to work and I really do not want to change that if I do not have to.

[Skulley]

You may want to move that location of your fuel filter. If you didn't replace that line, you may want to anyway and make that filter more accessible.

BD.