Fuel.filters; Use.and.maintenance; Problems.with.alcohol.in.gasoline - Four winns FUNSHIP Owner's Manual

When.the.fuel.gauge.begins.to.register.below.the
"full".mark,.the.gauge.readings.will.drop.much.faster.
until.it.reads".empty"..When.this.occurs,.the.trim.angle.
has.affected.the.sender.reading..When.the.gauge
registers."empty",.the.sender.has.bottomed.out.and.
there.may.be.3.to.4.gallons.of.fuel.in.the.tank...
See.Figure.I-5.
Figure I-5: Trim Angle Effect with Low Fuel
F. Fuel Filters
Fuel filters are installed on each engine. Filters should
changed.frequently.to.assure.an.adequate.supply.of.
fuel.to.the.engine..Refer.to.the.engine.manual.for.ad-
ditional.information..The.engine.manual.is.included.in.
the.owner's.information.packet.
NOTICE
Canister-type filters should be changed
annually.
G. Use and Maintenance
DO NOT let the odor of gasoline go un-
checked. If the odor of gasoline is noted, DO
NOT START ENGINE. If engine is running,
SHUT OFF ENGINE, ELECTRICAL AND
HEAT GENERATING EQUIPMENT. Investi-
gate and correct the situation immediately!
Have all passengers put on personal flotation
devices and keep fire extinguishers at hand
until the situation is resolved.
Avoid serious injury or death from fire or
explosion resulting from leaking fuel. Inspect
systems for leaks at least once a year.
Fuel Systems - Section I
To help guard against damage, avoid the
storage or handling of gear near the fuel lines,
fittings and tanks.
I - 2 FUEL STANDARDS
Be.cautious.when.using.gasoline.that.contains.alco-
hol..Refer.to.the.section.on.gasoline.requirements.in.
your.engine.manual.for.additional.information.
To conform to Federal Air Quality Standards,
the petroleum industry reduced the amount
of tetraethyl lead in gasoline. Alcohol is be-
ing blended with gasoline to help restore the
octane rating lost when the lead was removed.
While blending alcohol with gasoline increases
the octane level of the fuel, it can also create
certain safety and performance related
problems for boaters.
A. Problems with Alcohol in Gasoline
Below.is.a.list.of.problems.which.may.be.experienced.
when.using.blended.gasoline.
1.. Premature.deterioration.of.fuel.system.compo-
nents.may.occur..Alcohol.will.attack.rubber.fuel.
hoses, fuel tanks, fuel filters, fuel pumps and
rubber.gaskets..This.deterioration.will.lead.to.fuel.
system.leakage.
2.. Phase.separation.of.fuel.will.cause.contamination..
Water.which.accumulates.in.the.tank.through.
contamination.or.condensation.will.be.absorbed.by.
the.alcohol..This.water-heavy.alcohol.will.settle.at.
the.bottom.of.the.tank..This.phase.separation.will.
lead.to.fuel.tank.corrosion..This.may.also.result.in.
a.lean.mixture.to.the.carburetor.and.cause.engine.
stalling.or.possible.engine.damage.
The.use.of.alcohol.additives.in.gasoline.has.become.
more widespread. Regulations on public notification of
the.existence.of.additives.is.currently.controlled.by.the.
Environmental.Protection.Agency.(EPA)..Some.states.
do.require.that.gasoline.pumps.display.information.on.
additives.(especially.alcohol)..If.alcohol.content.is.not.
posted,.ask.and.avoid.using.fuel.containing.alcohol.if.
possible..
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