|
|
Posts: 34
Location: madison chain | Ok i hope someone out there can help me. I just called about a 2003 ranger 619 with a 2003 200hp optimax @380hrs. When i asked if he ever had any problems with the motor he said that he had to put new reeds in it ahile back. He said it was because of ethanol. The 10%ethanol that is in gas when we buy it. He said he now goes to a local gas station that has (non-metro/no ethanol) gas. Says no more ploblems after that. Or if you do put ethanol gas in it you can add an additive.(Blue Stable). Well i guess what i want to know is if anyone out there has had this similar experience of has heard of this situation. Thank You, Andy. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Don't use Stable. Your getting build up from the crappy gas that we now see at just about every gas station. Best thing to do is run Mercury Quickleen as an additive to your gas once or twice a year. This will help prevent any build up in the injectors. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | They say here in the Mercury handbook to use Quickleen when storing the boat, but all of the Mercury Mechanics I've ever asked this question to has suggested using it once or twice throughout the year, this will help prevent the gas breaking down inside the motor. Here is the link:
http://www.mercurymarine.com/_media/pdfs/serviceandwarranty/storage... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 406
Location: Stones throw away...finally!! | I was told by a mechanic that broken reeds are caused by going from wide open throttle to complete shut down. Mainly shown in tournament boats from the run and gun type of fishing that usually occurs when under a clock. Never heard of it happening from ethanol use, but then I don't know much. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 34
Location: madison chain | TJ, Marshall the guy made it sound like someone told him that the use of ethanol fuel had caused the reeds to deteriate. Any ideas about that?????? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | You could find out where he had the repairs done and talk to them also. I know this ethanol doesn't help any, but not sure where you first see the effects of it either. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 406
Location: Stones throw away...finally!! | Can't offer any insight on whether Ethanol harms them. Sorry. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 34
Location: madison chain | Well someone told me to check out bassboatcentral and wow is there the info about motors on those forums. Thanks to all who replied. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 253
Location: Birchwood, WI. | andym7 - 1/7/2010 9:31 AM
Well someone told me to check out bassboatcentral and wow is there the info about motors on those forums. Thanks to all who replied. BBC , YOU BET!!!!!!! 
Edited by jerken jimi 1/17/2010 2:16 PM
|
|
| |
|
| I have also heard ethanol reaks havoc on high hp outboards. I have a 225 E-Tec and try to use BP gas with invigorate or Shell gas with their claimed "cleaning additives" since it is difficult to find non-ethanol gas anymore. Does anybody think, or know if using fuels with these claimed cleaning additives should help at all? |
|
| |
|
| I wouldn't worry about the reeds as much as I'd be wary of the powerhead . Lots of problems with the early optis blowing up. There was even a class action lawsuit that covered the 2000's and 01's I think. The rig has a lot of hours as well. Have compression checks done and watch out for cylinder # 6. A new powerhead/rebuilt could cost upwards of 7K, but I'm sure you can find one cheaper online. LOL. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1536
Location: God's Country......USA..... Western Wisconsin | Don't really know of a problem with the reeds from ethanol. You sure he wasn't talking about the fuel rail diaphrams? Serious issues with these, I have replaced mine 3 times on my 225. The ethanol deteriorates the diaphrams and they then seem to split or crack. I am now running only ethanol free gas for the most part. Sometimes hard to find on the road but here locally a couple of stations have it. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 307
| There should be no troubles with an 03 opti the problems were with 00s 01s. I've got an 02 200 and it has run flawlessly on ethanol. I think many people think they know what they are talking about when it comes to ethanol, but most really have no clue. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 677
Location: Twin Cities, MN | BBC is a great motor resource... 
Here is a link from there, hopefully it is OK to post here. It is Mercury's take on ethanol.
http://bbcboards.zeroforum.com/zerothread/114216
Pal |
|
| |
