The dangers of ethanol in gas powered engines have been well documented in recent years. For outboards especially, the increased use of ethanol at the pumps can lead to big problems, including the dangerous build-up, damage to fuel lines, and excess water from since ethanol can cause fuel to absorb moisture. All of these things can be catastrophic for an outboard.
As someone who makes his living on the water, both as a professional angler on the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour and as a guide on Tennessee’s Watts Bar Lake, John Murray takes these dangers very seriously. He does what he can to combat ethanol in his fuels. Instead of purchasing expensive ethanol-free fuel, which can also be nearly impossible to find, he is a religious user of a product called Lucas Safeguard™ Ethanol Fuel Conditioner with Stabilizers.
Knowing When to Use It
While it’s always essential to get good gasoline, Murray says your planned use in the coming weeks is the biggest thing to consider. He uses an ethanol treatment less frequently when he knows he will be burning plenty of fuel in upcoming trips.
“During the summer months, I may be guiding every single day and will run through everything in my gas tanks pretty quickly,” he said. “You won’t be at risk as much if you are using all of your gas in your tanks in just a day or two. I’ll add the treatment every other tank because of the other benefits from the treatment like cleaning all of the injectors.”
The same is true of tournament weeks, especially when he makes long runs each day. The fuel will get used and he alternates fill ups and Murray adds the treatment every other time at the pumps.
“Each ounce treats five gallons and it is really easy to add one of the small bottles to treat 25-gallons of gas,” he added.
Know the Source
One of the best ways to ensure you are getting good gasoline is by paying attention to where you are filling up. Murray goes by the general rule that the busier the station, the less likely you will have problems with bad gasoline and potentially harmful fuel.
“I never worry about filling up when I go to the Chevron gas station down the street because it stays busy and I know they go through gas pretty quickly,” he says. “I’m always a little nervous filling up at places I don’t know or remote places and little marinas. If you don’t know the source, I think you should always add some fuel treatment to be sure.”
Sitting Idle is Dangerous
One of the ways that ethanol in gasoline can build up is by the engine sitting idle, whether it is a lawnmower in the winter months or a boat that is not being used. Even if it is only going to be a handful of weeks before use, Murray adds treatment to his gas tanks.
“If I’m not using the boat for a couple of weeks, I’ll always add some Safeguard just to be sure,” he shared. “It’s what I have always done, and I have never had any issues. The guys who put their boats away each fall should store the boat for the winter with a full tank and really make sure they are doing what they can to treat the fuel so the engine is protected and the fuel stays good.”
Ethanol Busting Tips and Added Benefits to a Fuel Treatment
In addition to the steps Murray uses to protect his outboard, boaters can also periodically inspect some things on their motor. If applicable, this includes fuel filters, water-separating filters, and ensuring that nothing with more than 10-percent ethanol is run through an outboard.
In addition to protecting against the dangers of ethanol, Lucas Safeguard™ Ethanol Fuel Conditioner with Stabilizers is complexly soluble in all ethanol fuels and will not damage any filters. It also has a unique blend of additives that prevent corrosion and rust while cleaning critical fuel line components.
One ounce treats five gallons of gasoline and it is available in two, 5.25, and 16-ounce bottles. It is suitable for marine and automobile applications and anything else that runs on gasoline.
The use of ethanol in gasoline is a relatively new thing, but it has caused problems for boaters everywhere. The best way to combat the dangers while also cleaning the entire fuel system is to use a specially designed additive. Taking this simple step will help protect your outboard and make sure you don’t lose any time on the water.
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