Laguna29
06-01-2008, 04:39 PM
Well I filled up the 70 Gallon tank with non E10 fuel last year when I stored my boat.
Made the first halibut run out of Bandon on Thursday. Boat ran great , I have a Mercury 150 2 Stroke. (I know I feel the pain at the pumps). Anyway I ran 40 plus miles round trip on Thursday with out a hick up.
I topped off with 22 gallons on Thursday night at a local station with my first shot of E10. Tried not to worry. Thought in a matter of ten hours or so what could go wrong. I have Starbrite product that claims to be an enzyme treatment for E10 but did not put it in as my thought process was the gas would be burned the next day and not in storage. So much for my thoughts.
Anyway fired her up in the morning and started to run out for Halibut again. got about a mile past the last can out of Bandon and my RPMS sounded like you had punched a whole in an air bag. At full throttle I was only able to push 6 knots and the motor sounded as though it would die any second. Did not pull it back as was staying with what ever power I had. Called the Coast Guard (Thanks for being there Guys:applause:) and let them know that I was limping in. They kept an eye on me and suggested I have my anchor ready. :whistle: Was thankful for that tip as I totally spaced that safety practice. Anchor was ready but not at hand for quick usage.
So got in and loaded and took to local lake. I changed out the filter and fuel appeared a dull red tea color but nothing real obvious. Ran up and down the lake for about an hour on the big engine. Would get up to speed and then sputter at idle and not want to run up from idle and go in gear. Would die when a load was put on the engine. Then would take off again. I took to the local mechanic and we changed out the filter in the engine cowling and looked at the gas. His suggestion keep running the fuel until you dont have any problems. He did mention that the newer motors like mine are actually designed to run on E10 and it should not be an issue. My tank is aluminum and is twenty years old. So I am loaded to the gunnels with filters and plan on a day at the lake. This is not an E10 rant just a story for anyone interested in what happening with this fuel.
And I am thankful for the reminder to have my anchor at hand rather than in the locker.
Made the first halibut run out of Bandon on Thursday. Boat ran great , I have a Mercury 150 2 Stroke. (I know I feel the pain at the pumps). Anyway I ran 40 plus miles round trip on Thursday with out a hick up.
I topped off with 22 gallons on Thursday night at a local station with my first shot of E10. Tried not to worry. Thought in a matter of ten hours or so what could go wrong. I have Starbrite product that claims to be an enzyme treatment for E10 but did not put it in as my thought process was the gas would be burned the next day and not in storage. So much for my thoughts.
Anyway fired her up in the morning and started to run out for Halibut again. got about a mile past the last can out of Bandon and my RPMS sounded like you had punched a whole in an air bag. At full throttle I was only able to push 6 knots and the motor sounded as though it would die any second. Did not pull it back as was staying with what ever power I had. Called the Coast Guard (Thanks for being there Guys:applause:) and let them know that I was limping in. They kept an eye on me and suggested I have my anchor ready. :whistle: Was thankful for that tip as I totally spaced that safety practice. Anchor was ready but not at hand for quick usage.
So got in and loaded and took to local lake. I changed out the filter and fuel appeared a dull red tea color but nothing real obvious. Ran up and down the lake for about an hour on the big engine. Would get up to speed and then sputter at idle and not want to run up from idle and go in gear. Would die when a load was put on the engine. Then would take off again. I took to the local mechanic and we changed out the filter in the engine cowling and looked at the gas. His suggestion keep running the fuel until you dont have any problems. He did mention that the newer motors like mine are actually designed to run on E10 and it should not be an issue. My tank is aluminum and is twenty years old. So I am loaded to the gunnels with filters and plan on a day at the lake. This is not an E10 rant just a story for anyone interested in what happening with this fuel.
And I am thankful for the reminder to have my anchor at hand rather than in the locker.