Fuel for 2 stroke motors

J

jhayes1068

New member
This is for the C-Brats that have made all or part of the Inside Passage trip. Is there a good supply of gasoline through the Inside Passage with little or no alcohol added that a 2 stroke motor can use without burning or locking up a cylinder? I assume the term "boat motor fuel" still applies?

I've seen several nice boats for sale, a couple of C-Dorys the remainder other brands, that would appear to be good boats to own, however, they were powered with newer 2 stroke motors. Since I've been out of boating for over 6 years and I haven't stayed current on the upgrades in motor technology for 2 or 4 stroke motors, I didn't want to buy a nice boat with 2 stroke power only to have to re-power it at a cost of $7,000-$10,000. Thanks, Jim
 
I am not sure exactly what you are looking for, but my 2.5 year old ETEC 90 hp in-line 3 cylinder is one of those newer era 2 strokes. It is an instant start EFI motor on any regular I've ever used and auto injects whatever oil is consumed with no noticeable smoke. It has never cranked, just starts instantly) My 9.9 4 stroke kicker is not significantly quieter and often cranks a lot before starting. All and all, the ETEC has been a good motor choice, (3 years or 300 hours to first service) which I haven't got to yet.

I'd have strong confidence in a long trip on a late model 2 stroke (but I'd still always have a kicker).
 
In British Columbia waters I don't believe you'll encounter any gasoline with ethanol. It's not sold for motor vehicles here either, except at Mohawk stations, so far as I am aware.
 
It's not like you have any choice anyway. When you pull up to a fuel dock, there will only be one gasoline available, mostly midgrade. It is likely that the same fuel barge supplies the docks, regardless of the brand shown, if indeed any brand is shown. There may be some exceptions in the larger refueling stops. I have never gotten any bad gas anywhere along the inside passage in BC. It is a good idea to stop at the larger towns as opposed to very small resorts.

Same thing applies to the docks in SE Alaska.
 
Thanks to everyone for the replies. The reason I have a concern about alcohol content in the fuel is because I refueled my boat at a station several years ago (about the time alcohol was starting to be added to gasoline) and the pump wasn't marked as having alcohol added. As a result, the second time I took the boat out with that fuel load on board, I scored a piston due to reduced lubrication from the alcohol. The mechanic tested the fuel for alcohol, and it tested positive. At that time I was running a 1994 70 HP Mercury 2 stroke that I know wasn't designed to burn gas with alcohol added. My point is, I guess, is trying to determine if the newer 2 strokes are designed to handle 10% alcohol and what year they start manufacturing them to handle 10%? When I buy a boat again, if it does have a 2 stroke already on the boat, I just want to make sure that the motor can handle the 10% alcohol without damage. Thanks, Jim
 
The owners manual should state the required and allowed fuels for the motor. I would ask if the owner's manual is available from the seller and look up the fuel requirement.
 
Hi Larry, that's a great suggestion. It's also one that I had not thought of in the process of collecting information before I buy another boat. Years ago it would have been one of the first things I would have thought of. I love old age:it's better than young death! :embarrased
 
FYI,the info I have seen in 2-stroke manuals concerning alcohol states, do not use gas with more than 10 percent ethanol. I have had many older motors and never a problem,but I use stabil in the fuel and keep fresh as possible. My autos have had the same warning. For what it is worth fresh fuel,the proper prop,no overload that allows the engine to reach proper rpm has worked for me. :| sincerely Mrtotem
 
My older two stroke evinrude/johnson motors hate any ethanol in the gas. The rubber, cork, and other parts to the carbs just seem to fall apart. And then of course you know the story; a motor that runs like crap until you rebuild the carbs - that is if it even will run. Even after all that, it is still trouble sometimes......

However, with that said, I don't think you will have any trouble with the newer ones as they have upgraded all those parts I have trouble with to actually work with 10% ethanol.

I don't think you will find any ethanol in Canada on the coast, but avoid it like the plague everywhere you go, as one never knows what headache it is going to cause next.
 
I know there are some C-Brat's with the new Etec's, and I hate to offer a negative opinion about them, but I have had the chance to use brand new Etec 90's this summer. At the National Park we have 4 vessels. Two of them have 8 year old twin Merc 4 stroke 90's and two of them have twin 2010 Evinrude 2 stroke Etec 90's.

One of the first things I noticed was the smoke. They smoke upon start up (small cloud) if they have been sitting for a while. By this I mean hours. You can definitely smell the exhaust once warmed up as well. If the wind is astern I can really smell the smoke.

The low end torque does not compare to the same size 4 stroke. The difference in torque out of the hole and lower rpm's is noticeable. The Etec's have a NICE power range from about 3-5000 rpm - great kick in that range. We only run them at these speeds without passengers aboard though :wink: We also operate in very high (bubbling) current areas going near dams and with 32 passengers the low end torque is preferred.

With the above being said, I think they are fine motors with great power in the range most would be using them on a recreational vessel.
 
Matt, it sounds like those E-Tecs are not set up properly. We have sold a lot of the E-Tec 90's, and have never had smoke problems with any of them. Their hole shot has also been very good.

That being said- which oil are they set up to run on? Some buyers thing that running them on the TC-W3 setting and buying cheaper oil will save money. But thge motors use much less of the more expensive XD100 Synthetic oil, which ends up costing less in the long run. Again, this is a setting issue.

In commercial applications, Evinrude recomends running XD100 but with the motor set at the XD50 setting for slightly more oiling.

The Evinrudes have been good for us, having very few problems. The one thing they don't tolerate is ingesting water in the fuel. The injectors are complex units, and running fuel through them will cause poor runability and eventual failure.
 
Thanks to everyone for your input about the E-10 and 2 stroke motors. It's sure interesting to see the experiences of others on the web site and the way folks are willing to share the information. I visited the manufacture's web site and the 1998 year was the oldest motors they listed information on for using E-10. Their main points were to use the best quality oil you can buy, add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel, try to prevent water build-up in the fuel tank by draining and cleaning the tank more frequently, and use the best quality fuel/water seperator you can get. The 1998 model year motor was designed to work with ethanol but not methanol added to the fuel. I think that would be sound advice for any boat/motor combination. :D Thanks, Jim
 
Back
Top