Owners Of Outboards Shouldn’t Buy Gas Here

Spokane anglers who have been running their outboard engines on gasohol during the winter months will be relieved when they can buy unleaded gas that hasn’t been treated with alcohol., Nearly all service stations in Spokane County will stop selling gasohol at the end of this month.

However, some anglers who fish during the winter months still have gasohol in their tanks. One man who fishes the year around said he still has 40 gallons of the reformulated gas in his tanks and would like to dump it but can’t afford the loss.

Most fishermen, however, bought only what they figured they could use on a fishing trip.

Snowmobile owners ran their machines on gasohol, even though some dealers suspect use of the fuel can result in damage to the engines.

“We wondered why some snowmobile engines were burning up,” said Larry Ferrell of Sutherlin’s Marina. “Finally, we figured the alcohol in the gas caused the engines to run too hot.”

Many anglers decided some time ago that they wouldn’t run gasohol through their outboard engines. They fill their tanks with standard unleaded gas at stations outside Spokane County. And they refill their tanks outside of the county on their way back to their homes so they will have non-treated gas the next time they go fishing.

Some marina operators and outboard engine mechanics have had one standard recommendation when asked whether gasohol should be used: “Buy your gas outside the county.”

Other marina operators, however, have been telling customers to use gasohol, but to make sure their engines are properly tuned and to use only outboard oil recommended by the engine manufacturers.

They also have been recommending the use of top-grade unleaded gas that has an octane rating of 87 or higher.

“Don’t buy cut-rate gas,”said Gary Heidal, co-owner of the Lake City Marina.

Furthermore, Heidal said, gas shouldn’t be stored more than 60 days without a fuel additive.

“Gas starts to break up after about 60 days,” he said. “A fuel additive creates stability so that the gas doesn’t gum up the carburetor.”

All outboard engine manufacturers contend that gasohol won’t harm a properly tuned engine. Few outboard motor owners, however, have their motors tuned periodically. Typically, the only time most owners take their engines to mechanics is when they have problems.

Many outboard motor owners like to boast that they haven’t had their engines tuned for several years.

One of my friends who trolls Lake Roosevelt during the winter months said his motor is so reliable that he never has to pull the cord more than a couple of times to start it. He bought the motor eight years ago and has never had it tuned.

So much for keeping a motor tuned.

Alcohol in gas changes carbon monoxide emissions to harmless carbon dioxide emissions. However, the change-over results in a build-up of additional carbon in the combustion chamber.

That’s why outboard engine experts recommend the use of good grade gas with an octane rating of at least 87. Some engine owners even buy premium gas during the period when gasohol is required. Whether that’s necessary is debatable.

One way to combat the additional carbon is to use a carbon-dissolving additive every second or third tank of gas.

Oxygenated gas has an affinity for water. Moisture isn’t much of a problem if fresh gas is used. However, most anglers use their engines only a few times during the winter and, as a result, moisture collects in the bottom of the tank. Water then can get into the carburetor.

Incidentally, now that leaded gasoline no longer is available, owners of outboard engines that were made to use the leaded gas must use an additive to protect their old motors. Additives are available at scores of marinas and automotive supply stores.

Outboard motor and snowmobile owners aren’t the only people who have reservations about gasohol. Spokane County residents use gasohol in their snow throwers, and some do so reluctantly.

Many dealers tell their customers not to worry about what gasohol might do to their snow throwers. Some manufacturers, however, warn owners not to use the reformulated gas. For example, the Ariens Company says in owners manuals for its top-of-the-line throwers: “DO NOT use premium gas, gasohol…”

So what’s the best solution for the owner of a small engine? Like some marina operators say: “Don’t take any chances. Buy your gas out of Spokane County.”

, DataTimes MEMO: You can contact Fenton Roskelley by voice mail at 459-5577, extension 3814.