SERVICE MANUAL NUMBER 26
MAINTENANCE
Some of these adverse effects are due to the tendency of gasolines containing alcohol to
absorb moisture from the air, resulting in a phase of water and alcohol separating from the
gasoline in the fuel tank.
The adverse effects of alcohol are more severe with methyl alcohol (methanol) and are
worse with increasing alcohol content.
WARNING
Fire and Explosion Hazard: Fuel leakage from any part of the fuel system can be a
fire and explosion hazard which can cause serious bodily injury or death. Careful
periodic inspection of the entire fuel system is mandatory, particularly after
storage. All fuel system components including fuel tanks (whether plastic, metal or
fiberglass), fuel lines, primer bulbs, fittings, fuel filters and carburetors should be
inspected for leakage, softening, hardening, swelling or corrosion. Any sign of
leakage or deterioration requires replacement before further engine operation.
Because of possible adverse effects of alcohol in gasoline, it is recommended that
only alcohol-free gasoline be used where possible. If only fuel containing alcohol
is available, or if the presence of alcohol is unknown, increased inspection
frequency for leaks and abnormalities is required.
WARNING
Avoid gasoline fire or explosion. Improper installation of brass fittings or plugs into
fuel pump or fuel filter base can crack casting and/or cause a fuel leak.
IMPORTANT: When operating a MerCruiser engine on gasoline containing alcohol,
storage of gasoline in the fuel tank for long periods should be avoided. Long periods
of storage, common to boats, create unique problems. In cars, alcohol-blend fuels
normally are consumed before they can absorb enough moisture to cause trouble,
but boats often sit idle long enough for phase separation to take place. In addition,
internal corrosion may take place during storage if alcohol has washed protective oil
films from internal components.
Gasoline / Alcohol Blends
Many new motor vehicle owner manuals are warning about the potential damage from using
gasoline containing alcohol, especially METHANOL. They cite possible fuel system
damage and performance problems. These are just two of the hazards that may be caused
by alcohol. These same problems as well as the additional safety risk of fire and explosion
from fuel system leaks apply to marine inboard engines. METHANOL is more severe in its
bad effect than is ETHANOL. Alcohol is also more severe in older engines since newer
engines have materials which are more resistant to alcohol.
Effects of Gasoline / Alcohol Blends on Marine Engines
Corrosion of metals may result from use of alcohol-gasoline blends. Portable or
permanently installed fuel tanks of metal or fiberglass, fuel filters, fuel lines and float bowls
may be affected by alcohol blended fuels. Many fiberglass fuel tanks are slowly dissolved
by alcohol, leading immediately to filter and carburetor plugging and eventually to tank
failure.
Index
90-861329--1
MARCH 1999
Page 1B-7
| Categories | Mercury MerCruiser Manuals |
|---|---|
| Tags | Mercury MerCruiser 181 CID |
| Model Year | 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Download File |
|
| Document File Type | |
| Copyright | Attribution Non-commercial |
(6 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Marine readers have rated Mercury MerCruiser GM 4 Cylinder 181 cid 3.0L Marine Engines Service Manual Number 26 5.0 out of 5.0 based on 6 product reviews. Thanks for sharing this material. Helps a lot after suffering with bad mechanics. spend too much money and nothing very good
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Great resource. Excellent information provided.
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