E-85 & outboard motors

[JJJSDAD]

I have read on other fishing forums. Concerns are being expressed on using E-85 gas in your outboard (all brands). Reports of loss of power, plugs fouling, and Possible rubber gaskets. I have noticed my Honda 4 stroke 20 hp acting up. I have just returned from 3 weeks in Michigan & 3 weeks in Canada ran ten gallons of gas purchased in Michigan and 2 gallons from Canada. Thanks for any replies.

[thedude]

there is an additive by sta-bil that will remove/cure the ill-effects of ethanol... i would try to find non-ethanol blend gas.

[sixft4par]

Outboards are not made to run on E-85. Follow the manual for your particular motor as it will tell you what to use in your motor.

[webfarmer]

Yeah - it begs the question. Why on earth would you use E85 fuel for a boat motor?

[Matt V]

I was told not to run anything with more that 10% ethanol in my Verado.

[thedude]

Yeah - it begs the question. Why on earth would you use E85 fuel for a boat motor?

i think he's just confusing E-85 with traditional 86/87 octane gas with ethanol in it. Most regular gas blends these days have a percentage of ethanol in them ranging from 1-15%. usually it will say on the pump somewhere that the gas contains ethanol. The stabil additive supposedly neutralizes the ethanol in regular gas as outboards more than a few years old were never designed to run on the stuff.

[DetroitIron]

Outboard motors from the factory are not jetted (assuming carberutor) or set up via EFI (fuel injection) to run E85. You have to run much more fuel due to less heat content of the alcohol based fuel. Not to mention the seal compatibility (like to eat seals).

[roger23]

you may also have a water problem caused by E85