Honda 75HP and ethanol gas

[Streamer]

Hello,

Quite recently I had my 170CC back to the dealership for performance issues. The first time around the mechanic just did an adjustment (dash pod?) along with the 20 hour PM and stated I should be alright.

Needless to say it did not resolve the issue. I sent it back a second time and they felt for sure it was the gas. They ran a carb cleaner and sold me a gas additive made for Yamahas.

Before I ran the additive through the motor, I was pumping gas into my truck (at the same station, Wawa) when a sign on the pump stated that the gas contained 10% ethanol. It also asked if it would run in my outboard.

This gas ran horrible through my new Honda 75hp engine. It ran so bad I couldn’t get on plane or even run the boat up on the trailer. I ran all that gas out and filled the tank with 93 octane. When I did this the motor ran normally.

Many questions come to mind…
[*]

• Has anyone else had this issue and what did you do to correct?
• Will all gas stations be selling this fuel mixture, besides jet fuel?
• Is it supposed to be a higher percentage (e.g. 20%) in the future?
• Does a higher octane gas (89, 93) have less ethanol or will it run better?
• Has anyone tested gas and found higher than a 10% level of ethanol?

I am very concerned that I might have to research fuel stations before I buy and that I will run out of available “good fuel”. I am also concerned that this fuel will affect the longevity of my Honda outboard.

Any info on this apparently new issue would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

H2HO’

[NCangler]

Hi Streamer. It is not necessarily a new issue for us. A quick search on the homepage for "Ethanol" will connect you with several threads where members have discussed this issue. We're all a bit concerned about it. But from what I understand it is older model engines that have more to be concerned about. Having a fuel/water separator though I think is a must. Here are some links to previous threads:

fuel
Ethenol fuel concerns
yamaha fuel/water separator
10% Ethanol: What does that mean for the engine?
Ethanol and fuel tanks
dick what is the deal with ethanol

There are other threads that mention it too. hope this helps!

[Streamer]

Hi Randy,

Good info!!!

It is concerning with the way the motor runs. I currently have the water separator. With looking at the threads it looks like mixing ethanol with normal gas will also cause an issue. I am sure I have done this.

Right now I have non ethanol gas in my tank and it is running fine. Not sure weather to keep looking for this type of gas or just burn it all up and see if fresh ethanol gas will run by itself.

Hope I can get past this.

Thanks,
Jim[PHP][/PHP]

[NCangler]

I share your pain. I've got 3/4 tank left and haven't settled on what happens next Spring. Hopefully we can compile some more definitive information between now and then. If you come across anything else be sure to add it to the "mix" (sorry about that pun) here.