10:04 PM Tue 18 Aug 2009 GMT
As a journalist I am often confronted with a story that, to put it bluntly, is difficult, extremely difficult, to write.
In the case of marine engines versus Ethanol-blended fuels, it becomes even more difficult than usual, primarily because it's impossible to locate the absolute truth.
Ethanol-blended fuel (marketed here as E10), depending on who one speaks with, will not lead to any problems or it's the most diabolical situation the marine industry will ever face!
So what is Ethanol?
Essentially, Ethanol is a volatile, flammable, colourless liquid, often referred to simply as 'alcohol' or 'spirits.'
It is said to be one of the world's oldest 'recreational drugs' and in many cases can simply be termed 'booze.'
It does have other uses; Ethanol has varied uses as a solvent, as a fuel for heat and light and as a fuel for internal combustion engines.
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E15 - Corn ethanol producers are lobbying - .. .
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We are informed that current Australian unleaded fuel contains up to 10 percent Ethanol, but consider this; Martin Dwyer, a skilled outboard technician of many years standing and the man in charge of warranty and training for the Yamaha Motor Co, recalls a test the company undertook some time back.
'We were told of a fuel outlet in North Queensland allegedly selling highly Ethanol-based fuel, so we obtained a quantity of it, sent it to a laboratory for testing and the answer came back - no Ethanol found,' Dwyer explained.
'I really don't know what to make of the situation, in fact I'm not even sure that Australia produces enough Ethanol to do what the Federal Government says it will do as far as fuels are concerned,' he added.
Many people I have spoken to in the marine industry claim the industry at large 'hates' Ethanol, but some refuse to be quoted on the grounds that they are then seen to be uncaring towards the environment.
Ken Evans, Mercury Marine's director of outboard sales and service, was not so reclusive; 'Ethanol has the potential for disaster,' he declared.
According to Evans, fuel tanks and fuel lines are simply not 'Ethanol resistant'.
'It's a solvent,' he said, 'and it eats rubber and absorbs water.
'In the United States it is looming as a problem of immense proportions,' he added.
Let's take a closer look at this 'mysterious' product.
In Australia, Ethanol is produced from grain and sugar cane, primarily utilising a by-product, molasses.
According to some government figures, using Ethanol reduces reliance on fossil fuels, with each 10-litres of an Ethanol-blended fuel used, fossil fuel usage is reduced by about one-litre.
Now if you're thinking in terms of marine engines you may well be curious as to why the automotive industry does not seem to hold similar concerns?
According to one report I obtained, a typical EFI (Electronic Fuel Injected) automotive engine cannot tolerate any more than 10 percent (the figure listed as being in local unleaded fuels) Ethanol to 90 percent gasoline.
This report stated that higher Ethanol content used in a typical EFI automotive engine would require either larger-volume fuel injectors or an increase in fuel rail pressure to deliver the greater liquid volume to equal the energy content of pure gasoline.
There are a number of reasons why marine engine operators are more hesitant when it comes to using Ethanol-blended fuels than their automotive colleagues.
For starters, automotive fuel tanks are usually of much smaller content than typical boat tankage and are refilled far more often, whereas a typical boat, used only, say, at weekends may only be refilled monthly or even longer.
This can be a problem with boats usually having vented fuel system that allow moisture-laden air to circulate into the fuel tank and added to the fact that boats are usually stored in a wet environment this greatly increases the risk of water contaminating the fuel.
Generally, automotive fuel systems, including fuel filler, fuel tank, distribution lines and engine components are closed or non-vented.
Another area where the truth simply cannot be unearthed is storage of E10 fuel; some so-called 'experts' claim it will last 90 days, others say 12 months.
The bottom line, I guess, is the variables associated with the fuel; how old was it when purchased, what temperatures and type of container is it stored in, have any fuel stabilisers been employed?
Too many variables to perhaps give a sound answer.
From my limited research (limited in the sense that this is a very far-reaching subject), I have discovered one point that most agree on; do not use E10 fuel in boat fuel tanks marine engines older than the 1991 model year.
Apparently, E10 or Ethanol-blends caused severe damage to fibreglass fuel tanks prior to 1991, but I'm informed that since then fibreglass fuel tank manufacturers have altered the resins employed to make tanks for Ethanol resistant.
So I am told!
On its website, Yamaha Motor Co comes straight to the point; 'If at all possible, do not use E10 fuel!'
That perhaps says it all.
Yamaha lists a number of issues to follow in the event of E10 fuel being used..
The company suggests;
. Fuel tanks should be emptied and cleaned thoroughly before switching to Ethanol-blended fuels.
. If the tank can be completely drained, its internal surfaces should be mechanically cleaned to remove rust or aluminium oxides.
. In an older (pre-1991) boat, consider replacing the fuel tank.
. If the boat was built prior to 1991 and has fibreglass fuel tankage, check with the vessel's manufacturer to determine if the tanks are Ethanol resistant.
. Install a 10-micron water separating/fuel filter between fuel tank and engine.
. Carry additional filters and change more frequently.
There does not seem to be any specific problem when it comes to modern marine engines operating efficiently with E10 fuel; the problems stem from various components such as fuel tanks and fuel lines.
A marine engine will suffer when 'bit and pieces' of fibreglass fuel tanks or rubberised fuel lines get drawn into it after being eaten away by Ethanol-based fuels.
Now, if you're trailer-boat owner and you fill up at roadside 'servos', I figured you'd be safe using the higher octane fuel, such as BP Ultimate for example.
However, Ken Evans pointed something out to me which I was unaware of; he said fuel companies have an 'interactive deal' between themselves.
'The way it works,' Ken says, 'is that if say, Caltex has a major distribution depot in a specific area it delivers all the fuel to various service stations in that area, so you may be getting Caltex fuel at a BP or a Shell.
'Likewise, if BP has a major centre in a certain region it delivers fuel to the Caltex and Shell outlets in that region,' he added.
Well, after hearing that, I don't know what to recommend to anyone.
I own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and the manufacturer has recommended we Harley owners avoid Ethanol-blends.
Consequently I've been using BP Ultimate exclusively, but after what Ken Evans tells me I give up. I don't know. I have no idea.
And that's how this story must end, for I have no idea who can tell us the absolute, 100 percent truth.
by Bob Wonders
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Macquarie Island, TAS
