Website name: My Ethanol Experience - A customer's letter

Thank you very much to Carl for allowing us to share his experience with Ethanol Fuels.  Also attached is an article from Matthew A. Cohen with advice on how to live with Ethanol treated fuel if you do have to use it.

December 14, 2010

Hello Everyone:

As you all know both my boat engines were the victim of E-10 fuel Labor Day 2010.  The bottom line is I had a catastrophic failure of both engines.  The sad part of all this is that one engine had only 179 hours on it and the other 559 hours.  All told, to replace both engines as well as other necessary work the cost will be approximately $15,000.  Since the catastrophic failure, Insurance Investigation, fuel lab samples, speaking to two different surveyors and speaking to three mechanics I feel I have a pretty good idea what went wrong as well as how to prevent it from happening again.  Having said that I am writing to you all so you can spread the word as to what you need to do to protect your engines today and what you need to do to protect them as you move forward.

1. What caused my engines to fail were contaminant polymers that dissolved in the fuel.  Initially it appeared my tank was aluminum encased in fiberglass as the top of the tank (where the fittings are) is metal.  Upon final investigation we found the metal plate at the top of the tank was glassed in but the rest of the tank was fiberglass.  Basically the E-10 ate away at the fiberglass tank which in turn mixed with the fuel which in turn destroyed the valves and thus the failure.  Mind you this whole process happened in only two short months, three fillings and only 170 gallons of fuel.

1. The internal components such as cam, crank, rods, lifters, seals and bearings were not affected.  Only the valves, pistons and carburetors were affected 

by the fiberglass polymers as a result of the E-10 fuel.  

1. In summary the damage to the engines was due to the polymer not the E10 fuel.  Therefore upgrading the internal components other than those parts in the combustion chamber (valves, springs, pistons, valve seats, valve guides, etc) is not necessary.  Some of the things you might want to consider if you are in the same situation as I is to upgrade to stainless valves, hardened seats, hardened springs, and Bronze valve guides etc).  Of course #1 is to check your gas tanks and all fuel lines.  Other than that you should educate yourself on E-10 as well as follow the suggestions below:

1. Living with E-10 Gasoline by Mathew A. Cohen.
2. Do’s and Don’ts for using E-10 fuel in the boating industry.
3. Preventative solutions.

The good news is I will be back on the river Memorial Day and can Christen my new engines to kick off summer 2011.  Heh…it is only money.

Best Regards,

Carl A. Lofberg

Website name: Follow the adventures of Dream Weaver
This is a great blog about the adventures of Dream Weaver and her Crew.  She is currently on her way to the 1000 Islands from Florida and everyday is an adventure.

Enjoy the trip.
Visit the site: Link

Website name: A History of Recreation in the 1000 Islands by Susan W. Smith

The purpose of this project is to outline the recreational history of the Thousand Islands for both the Canadian and American sectors. It is a review of recreation from its origin to the present with emphasis on the social era of the islands, 1860-1910.

Website name: A Trip to Remember

great cruising story by ken & Marilyn Christopherson

Website name: The Trip Home

the continuation of Ken & Marilyn's story

Website name: Customer Courtesies

Because we want everyone to enjoy summer at the marina equally we ask that you read our sheet on customer courtesies. thank you.

Website name: Customer Privacy Policy

Ed Huck Marine's commitment to Customer Privacy

Website name: Ed Huck Marine - A case study of customer service

Ed Huck Marine's implementation of new customer service software is profiled in this case study.

Website name: NMMA Canada Announces 2009 Inductee to Canada’s Boating Hall of Fame Jerry Huck

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Website name: Letter of support for IJC Plan A+

In an effort to help provide 1000 Islands Boaters with the best fresh water boating experience in the world it was important for us to support the correct IJC water management plan.

Website name: The Admirals by ThousandIslandLife.com

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Website name: Fred Huck Geneology

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Website name: Mallorytown Landing & Grenadier Island History

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