FILTRATION

Learn More About Ethanol

What it does?

Ethanol is an alcohol additive blended with fuel to allow for cleaner exhaust emissions.

Most fuels in the United States now contain ethanol in amounts from 10% (E10) to 85% (E85). Most fuels are E10, as E85 fuels require engine fuel system modifications to burn.

Ethanol is a solvent that in the marine fuel system will dissolve old varnish that has built up for possibly years in the fuel system. This varnish when dissolved will clog fuel systems and cause possible engine damage.

Ethanol attracts moisture. Marine fuel systems are vented to the open air to keep a vacuum from forming in the fuel system. Ethanol will draw moisture from the air and mix it with the fuel in the tank possibly causing engine damage.

Adding ethanol to fuel can change the fuels volatility and possibly cause “vapor lock” in the fuel system.

Ethanol blended fuels evaporate quicker than non-blended fuels. When the fuel evaporates it leaves behind gum and varnish that can clog a fuel system.

When enough moisture is pulled into ethanol blended fuels, they will separate (phase separation) allowing the water to go to the bottom of the fuel tank (where the fuel pick-up is located) and the lighter fuel to float on top. The water is then pulled into the fuel system causing engine damage and fuel system corrosion. In older boats with resin fuel tanks, ethanol will actually begin to dissolve the fuel tank itself.

What can you do?

Use a 10-micron water separating fuel filter to remove varnish, debris and moisture from the fuel system.

If your boat or motor is not equipped with 10-micron water separating fuel filter, add an easily installed kit specific to your boating application. Upgrade existing water separating fuel filters to 10-micron filters.

Inspect fuel filters regularly and replace at least twice a year.

Marine engines are not currently equipped to operate on E85 fuels. Never fill your fuel tank with E85 fuel. Add fuel stabilizer to your tank EVERY time you get fuel to slow down the evaporation process and keep the fuel “fresh”. When the boat is stored for extended periods of time without use (4 weeks or longer), keep the fuel tank almost full. The less air in the fuel tank the less moisture the ethanol can draw from air. Allow for expansion, especially if you keep your boat in rack storage. Fuel from a completely “full” tank can expand with temperature changes and force fuel out the vent and onto the boats below yours in the storage facility.

Allow inboard and stern drive engines to idle with the blower running and if possible the engine hatch raised after running the boat in hot weather or under high load applications (skiing, tubing etc.) for five to ten minutes. This will keep your engine from “heat sinking” (your engine gets hotter after you shut it off because there is no water cooling the engine and unlike a car, the engine is located in a small tight compartment where heat builds up) and vaporizing the ethanol fuel causing vapor lock. The vaporized fuel will not allow the engine to start and will usually lasts just long enough to ruin your afternoon and get you towed back to the dock, when by that time the engine has cooled down and starts without problem. Do not mix ethanol-blended fuels with fuel that has MTBE as a way to raise the octane level. When mixed the fuels will react causing a gel like substance to form and clog the fuel system. Most fuel outlets in the United States have stopped adding MTBE to their supply since late 2006, but it can still be found in some areas.

Keys to Lowering Fuel Costs

Engine Maintenance

Perform annual engine maintenance per manufacturers recommendations

• Replace spark plugs and inspect wires replace if necessary.
• Replace fuel filters or if not equipped; install water separating fuel filter.
  • Replace as needed or at least twice a year if running ethanol based fuels.
• Change the lower unit gear lubricant and inspect regularly.
• Change oil and filter on inboard and outboard 4-cycle applications
• Install tune-up kits on older point/condenser style ignitions or upgrade to pointless ignition kit.
• Add fuel stabilizer year-round to slow down the evaporation process of ethanol-based fuels.
• Replace air filters and keep flame arrestors free from dirt and grime.

Maintain your Bottom!

Keep your boat clean inside and out.

• Have your hull cleaned and keep it clean with wax or bottom anti-fouling paint.
• Keep the inside of your boat clean and clutter free. All that extra “stuff” in the cockpit compartments adds up to a lot of weight and reduces fuel economy.
• Replace worn or stiff steering, throttle or shift cables, and check adjustments. Improperly adjusted or tight, sticky throttle cables can cause the engine to run at higher rpm’s wasting fuel.

Watch your speed!

Find optimum cruising speed to stretch your fuel and go the distance.

• Check with the boat manufacturer to find the optimum cruising speed for the boat and engine package.
• Optimum cruising speeds can many times be found online viewing boat test results or visiting boat manufacturer web sites.
• Install a fuel flow meter to monitor fuel consumption and economy.

Choose the right prop

Operating with the correct prop can save fuel and your engine

• Stainless steel propellers are more efficient than aluminum but are less forgiving if you strike an object in the water, potentially causing more damage.
• Under normal load conditions (passengers, fuel, and gear) at Wide Open Throttle (W.O.T.) the engine rpm’s should be close too, but not exceed the maximum recommended RPM’s for the engine. This way the engine operated at its most efficient level at all RPM ranges.
• Check with engine manufacturer to find the correct WOT rpm range for your engine. Over-revving (WOT rpm’s higher than recommended) and lugging (WOT rpm’s lower than recommended) can both cause poor fuel efficiency and more importantly severe engine damage!
• Keep your propeller repaired and balanced. Propeller efficiency is greatly reduced by even just a few “nicks” in the blade. Also, whatever caused the “nick” could have thrown the balance off on the propeller, so have it balanced while it is being repaired.
• Remember this rule of thumb; Increasing prop pitch reduces engine rpm’s and decreasing pitch raises rpm’s. Usually about 500 rpm for each increase/decrease of 2” in pitch.

The shortest distance from A to B is still a straight line!

Be familiar with where you plan to boat and invest in a map or other navigation aid to help find where you are going.

• Plan your trip in advance and chart the shortest SAFE distance to you destination. You can waste time and fuel by not being familiar with your surroundings.
• In tidal regions, plan for the tides if possible and use them to your advantage to save fuel.

The Bottom Line

It is always less expensive to be preventative about your boat and engine maintenance than to wait for a problem to occur. Take care of your boat and engine and it will take care of you and your family.

Adding A 10-Micron Water Separating Fuel Filter

Don’t have a water separating fuel filter? Adding one is easy if you plan ahead. Don’t let ethanol damage your engine and cause costly repairs.

• Be sure mounting surface is stable and you will not drill into any objects behind the mounting surface (fuel tank, water tank, livewell, etc.).
  
• Add filter to the low pressure side of the fuel system (between tank and fuel pump)
  
• Be aware of all applicable regulations (USCG, CCG, and ABYC) for proper installation. If in doubt, contact your nearest Sierra Dealer Network dealer and schedule an appointment for professional installation.
  
• Plan ahead, what size brass hose barbs will you require and stainless steel hose clamps?
  
• Try and mount in an area with the best accessibility that allows for easy replacement and inspection.
  
• What type of mounting head do you need? Aluminum (fresh water) or stainless steel (brackish and salt water)?
  
• What diameter thread on the mounting head? 1/4” NPT or 3/8” NPT?
  
• Do you need a drainable bowl style filter to extend filter life and make removal of water easier? AquaVue ™ clear drainable bowls are for above deck applications only. Use Sierra metal drainable bowl for below deck and engine compartment installations.
  
• Keep a spare filter canister. Sierra offers convenient Bonus Packs to always have an extra filter for emergencies.

All Sierra 10-Micron Water Separating Fuel Filter Kits come with the mounting head, filter canister and two brass pipe plugs for multiple installation configurations, Bonus Packs include an additional spare filter. Sierra mounting heads have two inlet and two outlet ports on each head to allow for multiple mounting configurations. Additional parts required to complete the installation not supplied with the kit are; stainless steel clamps, mounting hardware, and brass hose barbs to match the fuel line diameter.

Filter Facts

Sierra is the largest supplier of fuel and oil filters to the marine aftermarket, and the quality and technology produced in each and every filter has also made Sierra a major supplier of filters to the OEM marine engine market.

Don’t install just any filter to protect your engine, install a quality Sierra filter.

• All Sierra filters use premium epoxy coated canisters to prevent moisture and corrosion from damaging your engine.
  
• Sierra uses only strong and durable heavy walled steel filter canisters. Flimsy aluminum canisters just aren’t good enough.
  
• Sierra only used the highest quality filter media to protect your engine. Our filters are independently lab tested and the choice of boaters and engine manufacturers around the globe.
  
• Sierra 10-micron fuel filters are over 90% efficient at removing 10-micron or smaller particles from your engine while still flowing over 90 GPH (gallons per hour). We won’t starve your engine for fuel. We will protect your engine from dirt and debris.
  
• Sierra offers fuel and oil filters for both gasoline and diesel applications that are direct replacements for the OEM filter and with OEM micron ratings as low as 2-micron.
  Every Sierra filter is backed by the most comprehensive warranty in the marine industry. Sierra’s limited lifetime warranty. No other filter supplier OEM or aftermarket backs their products like Sierra.

Don’t skimp on your engines first line of defense, install a Sierra filter and rest assured you have OEM protection at an affordable price.