UK – PETROL CONTAINING ALCOHOL (Ethanol) – E10 Fuel

The fuel system components on most four stroke outboards are designed to withstand up to 10% (E10) ethyl alcohol (hereinafter referred to as the ‘ethanol’), content in the petrol.
If possible, always opt for fuels with less or no ethanol content such as super unleaded at 5% (E5)
Although modern outboards are designed to withstand up to 10% ethanol, we recommend you still take extra precautionary measures when using higher ethanol blended petrol. Also, please be aware of certain adverse effects that can occur under certain conditions. These adverse effects are caused by the ethanol in the petrol absorbing moisture from the air, resulting in a separation of the water/ethanol from the petrol in the fuel system. This separation is more prominent when fuels are left in the outboard’s fuel system for long periods such as 3 weeks or more. These adverse effects include:
a) Corrosion of metal parts
b) Deterioration of rubber or plastic parts
c) Fuel permeation through rubber fuel lines
d) Starting and operating difficulties
As a precaution, it is recommended by the manufacturer to add a filter which has water separating capabilities when using ethanol containing petrol’s (where possible). Also, check the fuel system for
leaks and all mechanical parts for corrosion and abnormal wear more frequently.

A question often asked is why does this very same fuel not affect my car?
In cars etc, alcohol blended fuels are normally consumed long before they can absorb enough moisture to cause problems (daily use), but boats often sit idle long enough for phase separation to
take place. Therefore, if your outboard is used infrequently, it is recommended to use a fuel stabiliser. Also, before you put your outboard
into storage, it is a recommended to have it serviced and prepared by your dealer. We again, also recommend you use a fuel stabiliser while running the motor before storage.
Storage of ethanol blended fuels for long periods should be avoided in both fuel tanks and fuel systems. please refer to your Owner’s Manual for more detailed information on all the above.

Covid 19 Update

Well Happy New Year….

We hope you enjoyed the festive period and have all been safe during this difficult time, currently Clyde Outboard Services is closed to the public and only operating a skeleton staff for essential emergency workshop/callout applications and parts dispatch. We are currently building the “shop” section of the website to allow on-line ordering so if in the meantime there is something you wish to purchase please call 01475 744555 or email us through the website to check availability.

Mobile servicing/diagnostics will hopefully commence in February/March but only under strict guidelines, precautions and depending on travel restrictions.

In keeping with Government guidelines the business will be manned by myself at times from home for the safety of staff and when we can increase our capacity and adhere to social distancing rules we will open our premises.

I would ask you to bear with us if we are not able to deal with your enquiry as quickly as we normally do and we thank you for your continued support and look forward to recommencing our working relationship with you.

Kind Regards, stay safe.

Cameron

Following the First Ministers announcement of the Routemap last Thursday 21 May, RYA Scotland has prepared detailed guidance for individuals and clubs on boating activity under Phase 1.

As with all other outdoor activities, our guidance now requires to be approved by the Scottish Government and is currently in this process. As soon as this approval is given we will issue our guidance on our Facebook page and website.

Please bear with us while we await the response from the Scottish Government. Thank you.

We hope you have all been safe during this time, I’m pleased to announce that Clyde Outboard Services has reopened. The workshop will be operational along with our parts despatch operations with a skeleton staff and we are currently building the “shop” section of the website to allow on-line ordering. Mobile servicing/diagnostics will hopefully commence over the coming weeks but only under strict guidelines, precautions and depending on travel restrictions.

In keeping with Government guidelines I’m required to operate the business myself for the safety of staff and whilst we plan how to increase our capacity and adhere to social distancing rules within the premises I would ask you to bear with us if we are not able to deal with your enquiry as quickly as we normally do.

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to recommencing our working relationship with you.

Kind Regards

Cameron