ethanol

[gm1301 0]

I have a 2001 242 cruiser with the 5.0 engine. Can the 10% ethanol blend be used without harm fuel tank and engine?

[Ian 0]

There is a lot of information available on the internet regarding this - just do a google search

 

The official position of mercruiser and volvo is that upto 10% is OK - see their websites http://northamerica.mercurymarine.com/serv...aqs/ethanol.php

 

http://www.volvo.com/volvopenta/na/en-us/m...nol/ethanol.htm

however you should read the owner's manual to check if this was the case in 2001. Ethanol has been in use in USA for many years

 

Ethanol does tends to attract water / water vapour which can cause problems with "phase separation" - see the mercruiser link above for a description and photograph. You may need to take precautions if you store your boat for long periods

 

You will need to confirm ethanol compatability with other fuel components (lines, rubber componets, tanks etc.) with M.O.S.T but I don't think it would be a problem as USA has been using ethanol for many years and they would have designed for this

[The MOST 0]

Good advice and great help Ian...thank you.

 

The fuel lines and the fuel tank in your boat are not harmed by fuel containing up to 10% Ethanol.

 

Please read and heed the information available to you at the links Ian provided, it is very important. Ethanol not only draws moisture but it also acts as a solvent and will "clean" the inside of your fuel tank, lines and other components causing debris to loosen and possibly move through the fuel system into the engine.