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I run a 1997 Yamaha S200TXRV 2 stroke on a 1996 Grady White Adventure 208. The engine and boat have relatively low ours with mostly freshwater use. engine compression is consistent and in specification range. My problem is I've experienced a number of issues since E10 has been the only fuel available in my area. After a couple of years with water problems a few years ago I now use startron and Yamaha ring free/stabilizer with every addition of fresh fuel. I change the fuel/water separator filter and engine fuel filter way more than necessary and rarely find water in the fuel that I can see. I have replaced all fuel lines from the tank to the engine. However I have not replaced the dozen or so segmented fuel lines on the engine that feed the fuel pumps and three carbs. The original aluminum tank is very clean.
The problem is every season I still have to make a trip to my dealer service department toward the season end to have the carbs cleaned. My symptom is the engine coughs/sneezes at idle and low rpms which stalls the engine. When the idle issue shows itself, the engine runs weak at higher rpm and does not develop full power. Sometimes it has barely runs when this happens, I've been lucky and have always made it back to port. Following carb cleaning the engine will run great with a stable idle and excellent acceleration and power at high rpms for another 50 plus hours.
My mechanic tells me each time the carbs are cleaned that he finds particles (extremely small) in the carb circuits and minor oxidation of surfaces. He comments there is likely a small amount of water in the fuel in solution that causes the slight oxidation, but the bigger problem, caused by E10, is degradation of fuel system components that causes very small particles to make their way to the carbs and cause blockages.
I usually discard fuel in early November and add fresh fuel, run the engine for 20 or 30 minutes and fog the engine. 5 months later in April I again discard the fuel (and use it in my car) and replace with fresh fuel and start up the engine. This off-season I was thinking about draining all fuel, blowing out all fuel lines, draining carb float bowls.
Has anyone experienced and successfully managed the issue I describe? What else can I try to do to prevent contamination of the carbs when E10 is the only available fuel? Has anyone tried additional filters on the engine or other additives/stabilizers? The never happened to me when gas use to be pure with no E10. thanks
The problem is every season I still have to make a trip to my dealer service department toward the season end to have the carbs cleaned. My symptom is the engine coughs/sneezes at idle and low rpms which stalls the engine. When the idle issue shows itself, the engine runs weak at higher rpm and does not develop full power. Sometimes it has barely runs when this happens, I've been lucky and have always made it back to port. Following carb cleaning the engine will run great with a stable idle and excellent acceleration and power at high rpms for another 50 plus hours.
My mechanic tells me each time the carbs are cleaned that he finds particles (extremely small) in the carb circuits and minor oxidation of surfaces. He comments there is likely a small amount of water in the fuel in solution that causes the slight oxidation, but the bigger problem, caused by E10, is degradation of fuel system components that causes very small particles to make their way to the carbs and cause blockages.
I usually discard fuel in early November and add fresh fuel, run the engine for 20 or 30 minutes and fog the engine. 5 months later in April I again discard the fuel (and use it in my car) and replace with fresh fuel and start up the engine. This off-season I was thinking about draining all fuel, blowing out all fuel lines, draining carb float bowls.
Has anyone experienced and successfully managed the issue I describe? What else can I try to do to prevent contamination of the carbs when E10 is the only available fuel? Has anyone tried additional filters on the engine or other additives/stabilizers? The never happened to me when gas use to be pure with no E10. thanks
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