Mr Doug Whalen answers please

[Bachman]

I read your response to the use of alcohol in marine engines. Since I own a 1994 mercury outboard rated for use of 10% alcohol, a 15% blend would be out of mercury's specs. I checked merc's website about 15% blend but all I found was 10% limit with possible voided warranty ect ect. I dont have a warranty so it wont affect me but there are a lot of boaters in tidewater that will be concerned. Does Suzuki have engines that could handle the change. Im asking because my old merc is getting tired.

[hamonbagel]

Not to answer many questions about 15% but I am a member of NMMA. A recient article that came across my email was the response of the boating industry when ethynol was announce. The car industry jumped all over it and prepared while the marine industy just sat back. You can see the difference in the gas related repairs of cars vs boats. It's a boating manufacturers problem it sounds like.

Thanks for Friday afternoon with you Doug. I will be going to the Norfolk anglers meeting. Hope to see you there.

Jeff
Tidewater Sensors
www.tidewatersenors.com
757-593-3478

[tonydivefish]

Not to answer many questions about 15% but I am a member of NMMA. A recient article that came across my email was the response of the boating industry when ethynol was announce. The car industry jumped all over it and prepared while the marine industy just sat back. You can see the difference in the gas related repairs of cars vs boats. It's a boating manufacturers problem it sounds like.

Thanks for Friday afternoon with you Doug. I will be going to the Norfolk anglers meeting. Hope to see you there.

Jeff
Tidewater Sensors
www.tidewatersenors.com
757-593-3478

i also think people change cars much more often than they do boats & associated motors. but i've not heard of anyone with a 89 pick-up having to redo fuel lines or such. maybe there is more to it because it's marine use.

[Drwhale]

Hi Bachman,

Thanks for the email...

I don't have a Suzuki owners manual here for me to quote from it verbatim.....

But if I recall Suzuki says something to the effect that their engines can handle up to 10%....

I will make a call to California tomorrow and see if I can talk to one of their gurus and get back with you....

Tony, your right on about people changing boats etc.......Remember a couple of years ago when they made the switch from MTBE to alcohol.......I remember it well because their were people getting their first fill up and their engines were stalling out right there at the gas stations....they had it on the 6 PM news.....it was a mess...


Thanks again,


Doug Whalen

Whalen's Marine

Suzuki Sales & Service 24/7/365 (sometimes 366)

757-718-3539

[Bachman]

Im really just being curious, I find it hard to believe that marine engine manufacturers would be caught offguard by this. Mercury obviously thought about it in 1994 with the engine thats on my Robalo. Thanks Jason

[Drwhale]

Hi Jason,

Wasn't able to find an "Authority" at Suzuki today but I did send them a few emails.....

The owners manual does say limited to 10%...

I'll stay on top of this and let you know as soon as I hear something....


Thanks again for the email,


Doug Whalen

Whalen's Marine

Suzuki Sales & Service 24/7/365 (sometimes 366)

757-718-3539

[23Sport]

Looking at the Mercury Website, the Warranty will cover up to 10% Ethanol.Anything more than that at this time will void Warranty.

[A Disciple]

Looking at the Mercury Website, the Warranty will cover up to 10% Ethanol.Anything more than that at this time will void Warranty.

Thats kind of convenient for Mercury isnt it. Uncle Sam names the tune and we as the consumer gets to pay the band. The Marine industry will be folding right and left if they dont get on the stick. Im not going to go out and pay 20 grand for engines I cant buy fuel for. No One will. They can take their engines home and feed them to their families for dinner. I need to repower right now but they are not getting my money till they make up their minds. Ill cut that boat into small pieces and haul it to the dump. I can fish from the bank if it comes down it.

[Too Bubbas]

E10 has been around a while, and the marine industry has been planning around it. E15 and E20 have just popped up in the last year or so. It would have been a pretty good trick for Merc or anyone else to have planned for this in 1994, or 2004 for that matter. What they are telling you is that they do not know what this crap will do in your engine, but they suspect it will cause problems. No one really knows because no one, including the EPA has done ANY testing. Saw an article in the NYT, there are no gas pumps approved by UL for the gas stations to use to dispense E15. The current pumps MAY work, but no one is just going to guess that they will. They will test before granting approval. Marine is the same.

[Drwhale]

Bachman,

So far what I hear from my Gurus is what I initially suspected, rubber & plastic fuel system components are NOT compatable with the alcohol fuels.....

The higher than 10% alcohol, I am told, also requires different mapping of the fuel injection system and ignition timing because the combustion characteristics and power output of E 85 are significantly different than E 10 and lower....

Hope that answers your questions.......

If I hear anything else I will post it.....

Again, thanks for the email,

Doug Whalen

Whalen's Marine

Suzuki Sales & Service 24/7/365 (sometimes 366)

757-718-3539

[Bachman]

With that info,it would seem to me you would not see E15 for another 10-15 years.

[Drwhale]

Bachman,

You got me on that one........I have no clue what the politicians will do with it.....Of course we all know that if it puts money in their pockets they will do whatever it takes...

I'll keep doing my meager reseach and if I come up with something that seems educational or interesting I'll pass it along....


Doug Whalen

Whalen's Marine

Suzuki Sales & Service 24/7/365 (sometimes 366)

757-718-3539