Was having a little trouble (for sometime) with my outboard motor not wanting to start well, loosing prime, not wanting to run full speed sometime, not wanting to run at low speed for long periods of time.... Finally quit...
Took in to be checked out... And here is what happened!!!!

The inside lining of the hose that runs from the tank to the motor had been eaten up by the Ethanol... Stopped up my fuel filter & fuel pump.... So they put on a hose that should not do that again... Time will tell... But it runs like a dream now...
Just cost me $228.00....

All $donations$ will be greatly appreciated...

Make sure to use Stabil Marine Formula every time you fill up. The ethanol will eventually do the same to the plastic linings in the fuel pressure system

I heard last week that the percentage of ethanol is going up to 15%.
I sure makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside knowing my goberment is taking care of me.

If we had a lobbying group as powerfull as the corn growers lobby, we could probably do something about this.

I have talked with several very good boat mechanics, and they have all told me the same things. It's not so much the ethanol in the gas that is hurting the actual engines...it's what the ethanol is doing to the lining of hoses on the way to your engine.

If you want to spend the $$, replace your fuel lines with alcohol proof/resistant lines

Had to replace mine last week. Same thing, lining in the fuel line was falling apart.

Atleast I am not the Lone Ranger....
Think my rig is 4 or 5 years old, so it took that long....

I feel your pain,me too!

I had a mystery fuel leak in the hull of my boat that ended up being around where the hoses fit on the prime bulb. May have been another ethanol situation.

Tom

Three months ago, my '08 Merc Verado had to have the entire fuel lines, module, and hi/low pressure fuel pumps replaced because of "10%" ethanol gasoline. Subsequently, I started using Stabil Marine additive, to the tune of 3 ozs per 10 gals of gas (3X the prescribed amount). I figure it's cheap insurance

You hit the nail on the head.

There should be a BIG FAT red sticker-warning label on the fuel station about this 5-10% ethanol [censored]. I think the gov�t and the boat/car parts shop are in bed together to screw every boat owners and old car owners out there. I have read that the freakin EPA is about to raise the ethanol percentage again to 15%.

http://www.michiganpolicy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=886:epa-allows-higher-ethanol-concentration-in-gasoline&catid=40:energy-and-environment-current-issues&Itemid=143

Have had the same problem with fuel lines breaking down (inside of them). Similar Engine symptoms as Keith Speer stated above. It just cost me $18.00 for some new lines. Hate it cost you $200 plus dollars for that lesson. I try to check the easy stuff first to avoid that.Now, I check/change lines and bulb every 12-18 months.

OK guys, now where can I get the GOOD type hoses, the ones that resist breakdown?

Was going to ask the same question.