Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3823 Oct 25-Nov 8 | Page 24
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FRESHWATER
Oct 25 - Nov 8, 2019
De-Mystifying The World Of Marine Fuel Additives
recreational boater contemplating fuel additives for
his gasoline-powered craft is faced with a daunting
range of choices. There are products for fuel stabilization and
off-season storage, products for cleaning up dirty engines,
and others that claim to eliminate the hazards of etha-
nol-based fuels by “removing” water from the fuel system.
With retail shelves often displaying dozens of products
making a range of claims, it may make it challenging for
boaters to navigate the clutter and figure out which product
will best suit their need.
Here are some straight facts on common marine fuel
additive terminologies, as well as what scientifically proven
marine fuel additives can actually do for boaters:
Ethanol
Approximately 98% of gasoline in the U.S.
contains some amount of ethanol (alcohol made
from corn/plants), with the most common
blend at pumps being E10 (10% ethanol/90%
gasoline). This generally isn’t problematic
in automobiles, where fuel is cycled rather
quickly. In boats, however, that ethanol-based
fuel often sits for long periods of time in
hot, wet environments and can lead to the
formation of water in the fuel system. Water
in the fuel can cause a variety of problem-
atic issues for boat fuel systems, including:
corrosion, poor performance and even engine damage.
Phase Separation
When there is enough water in gasoline, it can
“separate” and form a definitive layer at the bottom of
the fuel tank (as water is heavier). The true solution to
this is to prevent water from accumulating in the first
place, by practicing proper fuel system “behavior.”
This includes: keeping your gas tank full between uses,
making sure your fuel fill cap and vent lines are in good
working order, installing a water-separating fuel filter
and changing it when needed.
Water Removal
“We employ the best fuel scientists in the world, and
they will tell you that there are no solvents that can
remove water from fuel in the manner described by
these additives,” said Joe DeFina, Chevron’s Global
Fuel Additives Manager. Instead, formulas
that claim to “remove” water actually
use emulsifying chemicals that blend
separated water and fuel back
together. This makes it look as
if the water has disappeared
if you’re watching a video
demonstration online — but
it’s still there, and now you’re
actually going to run that
2019
Superior protection
all year long.
Keep your boat motoring year-round with Techron ® Protection Plus
Marine Fuel System Treatment. Our exclusive formula is engineered to
deliver maximum protection, with best-in-class fuel stabilization for
up to 24 months and 100% corrosion protection * . Whether you’re boating
regularly or in extended storage, Techron Marine has you covered.
REV#
01
PERATOR
TP
LEGAL POINT SIZE
5 PT
VOL.38 • ISS. 23
Learn more at TechronClean.com
Available at West Marine, AutoZone stores nationwide
and Chevron ExtraMile convenience stores
Online at WestMarine.com, AutoZone.com,
Walmart.com and Amazon.com
Techron
Chevrontechron
Techron
* ASTM D665A/B Test
Docket: 19100370 Project: Techron Marine Colour: 4/0
Date: September 25, 2019 Description: Fish Sniff er Ad Language: Eng
Client: Chevron Bleed: None
Safety: 6.5” x 9.5”
File Prepared at: 100%
by Cal Kellogg
water through your engine rather than filtering it out as is
recommended by manufacturers. And, as we explained,
water in the fuel system can cause a variety of problematic
issues including: corrosion, poor performance, and over
time, even engine damage.
Detergency/Engine Cleaning
Keeping the fuel system and engine clean is an important
task of marine fuel additives. When you run a boat hard
and shut down to fish, and do this over and over, impurities
in gasoline get “baked” to form deposits on valves and
particles that impede the flow of fuel through injectors.
Detergents, of different qualities and levels, are added to
gasoline to remove and control deposits; however, carbon
deposits still accumulate over time - and more so with
lower quality fuels.
This is where aftermarket fuel additives and their concen-
trated detergency come into play. Polyether Amine (PEA),
for example, is a powerful detergent that has enabled
Chevron to provide the unsurpassed cleaning power of
Techron. PEA was invented by Chevron in 1980 to clean
engines and remains the optimum proven cleaning agent.
There are various types of PEA chemistry in the market
and they are not all the same. Less costly PEA detergents
used in some additive formulas can cause problems in your
crankcase. That’s right, inferior fuel additives can make
their way into the crankcase and cause sludge and varnish.
It’s important to select a quality additive that is
designed specifically for your application.
Corrosion Protection
Boats are stored and used in wet, corrosive environ-
ments — and this can lead to problems for fuel system
components in marine engines. A good marine fuel
additive should provide strong corrosion protection for
boats used in both fresh and saltwater.
ASTM International is a standards organization
that develops and publishes testing guidelines. When
products are tested according to ASTM methods,
consumers can compare product performance across
manufacturers, knowing that it is an “apples-to-apples”
comparison. Chevron uses ASTM test methods, and
Chevron’s ASTM testing has demonstrated that there
are several fuel additives on the market that perform
worse than base fuel (gasoline with nothing added)
when it comes to corrosion test results in saltwater
conditions. This is likely a result of chemicals in their
formulas that allow the fuel to hold more dissolved
water. Consider the corrosion protection levels of any
marine fuel additive before you use it – especially if
you use your boat primarily in salt water.
Fuel Stabilization
Stabilizing fuel refers to preventing oxidation and
the reduction of its octane rating. Low octane fuel can
result in engine knocking and damage your engine.
Modern engine control systems can compensate for
some loss in octane, but this reduces engine power and
efficiency.
Oxidation is the process that causes varnish and
gums to form in stagnant fuel. Once formed, gum
and varnish can clog your fuel system. Varnish and
gum can result in restricted injectors and gummed up
carburetors, or even clog up the system badly enough
to cause a fuel pump failure.
This is important when a boat sits for extended
periods of time between trips, or especially when
“winterizing” a vessel and storing it until the next
boating season. Marine fuel additives usually offer
a stabilization time period for which they can keep
the fuel “fresh” and prevent oxidation and octane
breakdown. The best performers can stabilize fuel for
up to 24 months.
“Managing your boat’s fuel for strong engine
performance, reliability and trouble-free time on the
water may seem complicated — especially when
faced with such a wide range of products. It’s actually
fairly simple,” said DeFina. “Treat your fuel with a
proven additive that does not contain emulsifiers or
alcohols that contribute to water uptake. Make sure
your boat has a water-separating fuel filter, inspect it
regularly and change it when needed. Keep your fuel
cap tight and make sure your vent lines are in good
shape. Lastly, when you are going to store your boat
for a while, fill the tank, dose it with additive and run it
through the engine before storage.”
Techron Marine Fuel Treatment was designed for any
gasoline-powered boat. When used with every fill-up,
it is proven to prevent fuel-related issues, provide the
highest level of corrosion protection in fresh and salt
water, and keep engines clean and running at peak
performance. It is also laboratory proven to deliver fuel
stabilization for up to 24 months for extended storage.
For more information and availability nationwide, visit
TechronClean.com.
CYAN PMS
MAGENTA PMS