alcohol fuel system damage

[marks]

Hi,

Can someone tell me which components in the fuel
system are damaged by alcohol, how would problems
manifest, and is it possible to upgrade these components
to something not sensitive to alcohol?

The reason I ask is that alcohol free gas is getting
difficult to find in my area. The station I had been
getting it from has recently switched to the 10% blend.
In talking to the manager, he said that some stations
sell the 10% blend, but don't label their pumps.

Thanks.
Mark

[thevogt]

If I remember correctly, it is not actually the alcohol that does the damage. It is the presence of alcohol that causes the issue. Alcohol is more temperature sensitive than pure gasoline and, therefore allows more condensation (water) to collect in the fuel system and its components. The results, as you might imagine, are not pretty if the boat sits for extended periods. Any metal components that can corrode, oxidize, or deteriorate, will. It can get expensive in a short time. Hope I wasn't too long winded. If you run through a tank of fuel a week, I don't think it is as much of an issue.

Gary