TIP OF THE MONTH
From the desk of Ben Minor The Outboard Doctor

May 2011

Test the fuel you use in your outboard motor.  It may be helpful to know how much ethanol is in the fuel you are buying for your outboard motor.  Most gasoline has some ethanol, but each one has different amounts.  My recommendation is to buy the one with the lowest percentage of ethanol.

Almost any lawnmower shop offers a Briggs and Stanton ethanol test kit for under $10.  It is simple to use, just fill the glass tube to the first line with water, then fill the rest of the way with gas. You should shake the glass tube and let it set for 5 minutes. The graduated marks on the side of the tube will tell you how much ethanol is in your fuel.

Even though I suggest not using ethanol fuel in outboard motors, I believe we need to use it in all our other engines.  I use E-10 in my trucks, cars, and tractors with no ill effects. 

Remember that each gallon of fuel we grow here in America is $4 less we sent to our friends in the middle east that sent planes into the World Trade Centers and Pentagon.  Buy American whenever possible except in this one case.

Call 888 294-8957 for help with your outboard motor.
Happy Boating!

APRIL 2011

Add a water separating filter between your fuel tank and your engine. There are two reasons for this addition. First is that a 10 micron filter helps keep debris out of your engine’s fuel system. A fuel injector that becomes clogged with dirt or debris means that cylinder can run lean possibly causing a catastrophic engine failure. Second, with the increased amount of ethanol in fuels this filter will remove the water/ethanol before it reaches your engine.

Even with the addition of this filter one of your best assurances of long life of your outboard motor is using fresh and clean fuel. It is best to run your engine low on fuel and store the boat with little fuel in the tanks. Fill the tanks just before your boating trip so that the new fuel can mix with the old fuel left in your tank.

My next tip will be, how to test your fuel to determine the exact amount of ethanol in your fuel.

Happy boating