Will 2cycle engines(outboard motors) be able to run on 10% ethanol gas?
Modern (manufactured within approx. the past 15 years) outboards are able to handle some ethanol content for the very reason you specified. There are places you can get nothing else. Every manufacturer I know of OKs fuels with up to 10% ethanol content. Older outboards vary. Since approx. the late ’80s engines have been built with ethanol in mind and should be OK with regular maintenance and the occasional visual inspection of the fuel system looking for signs of the breaking down of the hoses or gaskets. Prior to the mid ’80s outboards weren’t built to deal with ethanol and you’re running the risk of causing permanent damage. For these older models the fuel lines should be completely replaced as well as the fuel pump diaphragms. A set of Carburetor rebuild kits and floats are also in order. !!!!One note of caution: Probably the biggest + most common problems linked to ethanol are related to early VRO equipped Evinrude and Johnson outboards. These units (mid ’80s vintage) will suffer b
