10% jump in boat engine trouble linked to E10 ethanol

July 26, 2011 |

In Pennsylvania, service departments at Raystown Lake are seeing a significant increase in the number of boats being brought in with engine problems after using gasoline mixed with 10% ethanol. Although Federal regulations allow for the ethanol blend, smaller engines such as those found in boats, lawn mowers and other small machines are increasingly having difficulty.

At Raystown Lake, four boats have completely stopped running while on the lake due to fuel problems. According to a service manager at Shy Beaver Boat Center, the ethanol deteriorates the fuel line. Water in the ethanol is reported to cause damage to the gaskets and fuel pumps. Reports of engine damage began about three years ago and have increased roughly 10% in 2011.

Category: Fuels

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