So I was doing some googling....and I came across a thread saying how bad fuel with ethanol is for small motors. Wasnt even aware of it...damn google got me worrying now.
I tried doing some more googling, and searching on here....but havent found a consensus. I have a 2004 ELPTO Mercury 2 stroke, and have already run about 2 full tanks of regular unleaded from Sam's Club and Shell. Boat runs well....not perfect but good enough. Starts quickly and runs no problem...just have some low rpm shut offs occasionally happen. BUT...the boat has been sitting for 6 years prolly a little more. I hear that the motor will run better the more I use it, so I been driving it more than fishing off it my first few trips out with it.
I ran 2 "shock treatments" (1 can+gallon of gas, alternate on and off till gallon finished)with seafoam. One when I first got it a month and a half ago, and one just last weekend. I read that may help clean things up after sitting so long unused. I also put 1 can of seafoam in the full gas tank when I hit the lake a few days ago and ran it to about 1/8 before I topped it back off. I wasnt planning on using the seafoam regularly, and was actually done using it for a few months since ive ran a few cans through it already. I also had not planned on buying ethanol free gas...or buying an additive, or additives to add every fill up. Do I need to do this if im going to be using regular unleaded w/ethanol?
I also read the ethanol is bad if left sitting/stored. Ive used the boat 3 times in a month and a half....it will 100% be used at LEAST once a month....and I prolly wont be leaving it with a full tank while its not being used. i usually fill up the boat and truck the night before the trip...but of course there will always be at least a little gas in the tank...but I foresee it being closer to 1/4 or less while not in use.