E15 Ethanol testing results on Marine Engines

[Daraco]

I think most of us already new this but worth reading.
Don may have or may get more info on the testing thru Mercury.

E15.....


Department of Energy Reports Show Severe Damage to Marine Engines from E15, Reinforcing Recreational Boating Industry Concerns

WASHINGTON, D.C. October 25, 2011 - On Friday the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy released the results of two studies on the effects of using fuel that is 15 percent ethanol in volume (E15) in marine engines. The studies were conducted on engines provided by two marine engine manufactures; Both are members of National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).


The long-awaited reports show significant problems with outboard, stern drive and inboard engines. Results of the reports show severe damage to engine components and an increase in exhaust emissions, reinforcing the recreational boating industry's concern that E15 is not a suitable fuel for marine engines.


Emissions and durability testing compared E15 fuel and fuel containing zero percent ethanol (E0) and examined exhaust emissions, exhaust gas temperature, torque, power, barometric pressure, air temperature, and fuel flow. Specifically, the report showed degraded emissions performance outside of engine certification limits as well as increased fuel consumption. In separate testing on engine durability, each tested engine showed deterioration, including two of the three outboard engines, with damages severe enough to prevent them from completing the test cycle. The E0 test engines did not exhibit any fuel related issues.


NMMA worked with its manufacturer members in securing the resources and facilitating the testing for these reports. NMMA supports further testing that will provide additional understanding about the negative effects of E15 on marine engines.


NMMA President Thom Dammrich says, "Current proposals by the ethanol industry to increase the amount of ethanol in gasoline should seriously concern all boaters and owners of other small engine equipment. Although NMMA strongly supports renewable fuels as a means to reduce America's dependence on foreign sources of oil and improve the environment, there is growing evidence that ethanol is not the answer to America's energy challenge."


For more information, please read the full versions of the Emissions and Durability test or the Fuel Endurance test from the Department of Energy. For questions or media inquiries please contact Lauren Dunn at 202-280-6928 or ldunn@nmma.org.


Both Volvo Penta and Mercury Marine provided test engines as well as the testing facilities. The U.S. Department of Energy approved the final analysis of the results.

[Largemouthlou]

I like the part about "increase in exhaust emissions" If if does it on 2 strokes it will do it to auto motors as well!! We pay more for less mpg and more emissions

[EuropeanAM]

Those of us who deal with the "adverse effects" of Ethanol on a daily basis are not at all surprised by the results of this testing.

The NMMA, Mercury, Volvo, and NUMEROUS other engine manufacturers have been working together, as evidenced above, to show just how damaging ethanol can be (especially at levels exceeding 10%).

It's now well documented.... time will tell what comes of it.

[rcooperbass9]

yes this is exactly right: If you take 1 part of ethanol and 1 part true gasoline you get only 60% of the energy from the ethanol compaired to the gasoline when it is burned. So each time a higher ethanol percentage has been added to gasoline you recieve a drop in fuel economy and performance. So in reality, adding ethanol does absolutely nothing for the enviroment, because you are burning more petroleum to get the same job accomlished! The only thing it does is look good on paper to the tree huggers and helps out a few corn farmers in other countries! Thats right not even our own!