Re: Ethanol vs premium

[20mercman]

I had a neighbor bring over a 4hp Evinrude a few weeks ago that he said would not run. I took the carburetor apart, and it looked just like the photo Jerry posted. I removed the integral tank, and found classic phase separation in the fuel. It came out like brown mud, but if left to sit in a clear clean glass jar, it would settle out and clear up. The water layer was about 30% of the mixture. I am sure if you Google "phase separation", you will find photos of it. I have run it in my newer motors when I didn’t have a choice, but I don’t keep it around and don’t put it in anything older than 1971. Even then, I find my 800 runs much better on pure gas. Smoother idle and easier starting. Not just imagining it, it really makes a difference.

Steve