The coming of cooler weather means for some outdoors persons, the boat doesn’t get to much use anymore. It’s important in preparing these vehicles for non use or limited use is managing the potential for engine damage from the ethanol blend in our nation’s gasoline supply.

Ethanol in gasoline stored for long periods can damage marine and motorcycle engines. Phase separation of the fuel can leave a corrosive water-soaked ethanol mixture at the bottom of the gas tank.

To prevent ethanol problems, boats with built-in gas tanks should have fuel stabilizer added and the tank left nearly full. E10 fuel remaining in small portable gas tanks (and not pre-mixed with 2-stroke engine oil) should be poured into your car’s gas tank and used quickly.

It is interesting to note in information supplied by Boat US and American Motorcyclist Association ethanol-blended fuel is actually worse for our air and water. According to research from the University of Tennessee, ethanol’s “clean alternative” record is “highly questionable.” The 2014 federal National Climate Assessment reported that ethanol production can require 220 times more water than gasoline.

The Environmental Protection Agency is trying to continue to increase the amount of ethanol required to be blended in our nation’s gas. Even though it’s illegal to use E15 (15 percent ethanol by volume) in marine engines, snowmobiles, motorcycles, lawnmowers, and any vehicle made before 2001, E15 can now be found in 24 states. Using E15 in many vehicles on the road today will void the manufacturer’s warranty.