....you need to read this. I was just informed by Lake Park Marine that a large portion of the fuel system in my Merc Verado is toast, and is having to be replaced. They think the culprit is ethanol (ETH) in the gasoline. The outboards are made to run on max 10% ETH, but the owner of Lake Park tells me that they are seeing evidence of up to 18% in some gas. My old system will go to Merc for analysis, and if it tests out over 10%....no warranty. I asked if there is any additive out there to put into your gas to guard against too much ETH and he said not that he knew of. As I buy most of my fuel at QT, I'll be calling them to put them on notice (thank God I run diesel in my truck). Next time you pull up to a pump, on it you will see a small sign that says "contains 10% ethanol", but beware. I did some research and there are several different ways to tell if the gas you're using has over 10% ETH, but none of them were exactly anything you might want to do just before going fishing, as you would smell a lot like gasoline. In discussing this problem with my mechanic, he said that this problem is starting to show up much much more than it should. I guess we're just SOL. Of course, it's not anything that a few thousand dollars out of your pocket won't fix

that so sucks- i guess the blue stabil won't stop anything over 10% is what the mechanic is saying

DANG! When will it be finished now since today is Tuesday?

I really appreciate the information Guy. I am new to boat ownership so any information helps. So do all gas stations have the same amount of Ethanol in the gas?
I have started using the blue Stabil in my gas.. will this help or prevent the Ethanol problem?

I have a feeling that I might be told nearly the same thing later this week. PS. My boat is on week 3 of being in the shop. Not at Lake Park, by the way.

I wonder if there is any pontification on why this seems to be more of an issue with Mercury motors as opposed to other brands. Seems like I keep hearing of more and more Mercs having fuel issues.

"Prevents corrosion from moisture & ethanol-induced water attraction "

http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/stabil/products.aspx

Well I hope that it stays somewhere within the lines of the warranty for ya. Did they still replace it, and are you back in business??

Not yet. Hoping to have it fixed yet this week.

Does it matter if you own a 2 stroke or 4 stroke engine?

I need gas for tomorrow and this scares me. I do use stabil and will head ronnie's suggestion.

Not a bit

Dons Port at Cedar Creek advertises ethanol free gas. It is about $3.00 per gallon. My buddy in Oklahoma says he only puts ethanol free gas in his boat. He says in Oklahoma they still have stations advertising no ethanol. All pumps here say may contain up to 10%. Some do not have any ethanol in the gas at all. It could very well be that you are buying straight gasoline or have it available and dont know.

I had a brand new Stihl blower last 6 months. Took it to shop to get it fixed. The dude told me it had to have a new carburetor. He says hes replaced more carburetors in the last two years cause of ethanol than he has in 20 years prior.

ITS THE GOVERNMENT. IM TELLING YOU THEY ARE AGAINST US. JUST LIKE MY 6.7 CUMMINS HAS EMISSION EQUIPMENT FOR CLEANER AIR AND FILTERING SOOT. I BURN 25% MORE FUEL THAN I DID IN MY 5.9 AND PAID MORE FOR THE TRUCK BECAUSE OF THE EMISSION EQUIPMENT. THAT WAS A GREAT IDEA FROM SOME GENIUS. NOW MY BLOOD PRESSURE IS RISING LIKE A SOB.

Don's port does advertise ethanol free gas, I saw that on Sunday. I didnt pay attention how much the reg unleaded was, but the super was $4.00!

I'm one of those guys who watches his fuel economy like a hawk. When ethanol and the other additives became the norm in the DFW area, I saw my fuel economy drop by 10%. All this at a time when gas prices were rising like a balloon. Not to mention the pressure that ethanol has made on the food market... from rising prices for corn.

Looks like the geniuses in D.C. REALLY LOVE US!

The US Congress is considering removing the 10 percent ethanol law and increasing it to 15 percent. If this happens those engines that are not flex-fuel capable will not run well and their longevity will be severely shortened.