Club Cobra - Ethanol, or who put water in my gas?

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Ethanol, or who put water in my gas?

This post was originally long with elements of international intrigue and sexual betrayal, but I pared it down to the interesting elements. After many years away from boating I bought a new boat a few years ago. It started running rough so I took it in. The mechanic asked me if I had changed the water filter? I didn't know there was one. I hadn't been that surprised since I found out how many sexual positions my wife actually knew, during our honeymoon. Sure enough I pulled off the filter and it was full of water. By way of background, the marine industry figured out that ethanol was absorbing water from the atmosphere and was screwing up their engines. The filters, for those who do not know look and act just like a remote oil filter but along the gas line. I don't think the auto industry cared because most cars are driven regularly so not that much water will be absorbed by sitting gas. In our cars, which often sit for long periods, I wonder if an online water filter would help. Now I could try this and report my results, but I honestly don't see me getting the minimal amount of energy required to do it. The idea is free for anyone to use and if it turns out to be a real money maker, just send me a six pack of beer.:JEKYLHYDE

Boats have had water in fuel issues long before ethanol, due to the high humidity environment on water and that boats are idle for long times. A water filter would be unnecessary in a car. Either use fuel stabilizer or non ethanol fuel and keep the tank full. I always fill up before parking car for any extended time.

Are you looking for a desiccant? That would work, but you'd need to replace the filter on a regular basis since you can't readily wring out the water collected. You might be able to bake it out.

I think your best bet is "Star Tron" Fuel treatment. It's fuel based and can treat a tank of gas for up to 2 years. You cannot over-treat by putting too much in.

The filters look exactly like an oil filter, same size, everything. They mount in line just like a remote oil filter. They only cost $8 through any marine supply. I change it once a year. I never leave my boat in the water and it's garaged after each use. I got about a pint of water out of it after one year of use. I now use marine gas which has no ethanol.

Shell High test (91 octaine) has no Ethonal here in Canada. Fuel stabilizer is still needed for winter storage.

I worked on one skiboat with water problems. The tank vent was outside of the hull near the driver high above the water line. But if you did a tight turn, the vent was under water, facing forward. Duh!!
I've seen several vent on top of the rear deck, then when people get onto the boat after skiing it would suck into the vents.
Obviously you cant have the vent inside the boat.
Most fuel injection fuel filters would swell if water goes through them, blocking the filter. 200Ml of mentholated spirits would dissolve any water in the tank.
JD

Use of a fuel/water separator has been standard on boats for a long time, but they won't curb all of the damage done by ethanol fuel. Use of Startron is the best remedy I have found yet, and the additional step of only using marine non enthanol fuel will keep your boat happy for a long time.

Bob