TO THE EDITOR::

I enjoyed Monte Stephens article on ethanol and how it has impacted gasoline engines nationwide.

I recently had a $200.00 carburetor rebuild and got an expensive education first hand. When you figure up how many gas engines we depend on we need to be careful. I did a little research that may save someone a giant headache.

Recent initiatives aimed at improving air quality have negatively impacted many homeowners, businesses and boaters. The EPA requires the use of oxygenated gasoline to improve air quality. Many regions use Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE), but ethanol is replacing it in many areas.

Ethanol use as a small engine fuel can cause a number of headaches including fiberglass fuel tank failure, fuel system blockages, engine damage, and increased fuel contamination.

Ethanol is a blend of gasoline and ethyl alcohol. Ethyl alcohol is an excellent solvent and is hydroscopic, that is it adsorbs water. Acting as a solvent, ethanol can damage the sealants used on older fiberglass fuel tanks.

The dissolved sealants can be ingested by the engine which can cause damage and fuel leaking from a tank into the bilge is a fire hazard. Fuel tanks built of other materials are not immune to having a problem. Ethanol has a cleaning effect on metal tanks that releases fine metallic particles which will pass through most fuel filters. The dissolved metals will clog fuel injector nozzles and carburetors.

Ethanol added to a fuel tank contaminated with water will cause expensive repairs. The water in the tank will combine with the ethyl alcohol to produce a noncombustible layer of liquid in the tanks that will stop most engines cold.

What can you do to protect your yourself?

The following are some suggestions that have helped:

Boats built prior to 1984 should have their fiberglass fuel tanks and lines replaced with modern equivalents before ever using ethanol.

..Use a good water separating fuel filter and carry several spare cartridges for it.

..Try to avoid mixing gasoline blended with MBTE and ethanol. Use up the MBTE blended gasoline in your tank and insure the tank is clean prior to adding ethanol to it.

..Ethanol fuel has a very short shelf life compared to the gas we are used to burning. Gas older than two weeks can dry in your fuel system or carburetor and make your lawn mower, chain saw or outboard impossible to crank.

..Use a good fuel stabilizer. All the time. Spend a little, save a lot.

..Find a source of gasoline that has no alcohol in it. Some marinas and gas stations near lakes have a pump with ethanol free gas.

It appears the best defense for boaters and hommeowners in the use of ethanol fuel is to keep your fuel tank clean of water and use, where possible, adequate filters. There may be more improvements in engine and fuel system technology that will address this problem. Put “ethanol small engine problems” in your search engine and find out.

NELSON BROOKS