Use.and.maintenance; Problems.with.alcohol.in.gasoline; Recommendations - Four winns 348 vista Owner's Manual

I. 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.
Investigate and correct the situation imme-
diately! 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.
system.for.leaks.at.least.once.a.year..
If.areas.are.found.within.the.fuel.system.that.appear.
questionable, have a qualified marine technician
inspect.the.system..A.thorough.fuel.system.examina-
tion.should.be.made.by.an.experienced.marine.
technician.at.least.once.a.year.
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.which.contains.
alcohol.
To conform to Federal Air Quality Standards,
the petroleum industry reduced the amount of
tetraethyl lead in gasoline. Alcohol is being
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.
Fuel Systems - Section I
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.informa-
tion.on.additives.(especially.alcohol)..If.alcohol.content.
is.not.posted,.ask.and.avoid.using.fuel.containing.
alcohol.if.possible..
B. Recommendations
Assume.blended.gasoline.is.being.used.and.follow.
these.recommendations.below.
1.. Inspect.fuel.hoses.often..A.deteriorated.hose.
containing.alcohol.blended.gasoline.will.normally.
be.soft.and.swollen..A.deteriorating.hose.contain-
ing.no.fuel.will.normally.be.hard.and.brittle..In.both.
cases.the.hose.should.be.replaced.
2.. Ventilate.the.engine.compartment.before.starting.
the.engine(s)..Operate.the.engine.compartment.
blower.for.four.(4).minutes..Then,.prior.to.starting.
the.engine(s),.check.the.bilge.area.for.the.scent..
of.gasoline.fumes;.DO.NOT.start.the.engines.if..
the.odor.of.gasoline.is.detected.
3. Frequently inspect the fuel system fittings. Inspect
the fuel tank, pump and filter for signs of leaks or
corrosion..Visually.inspect.for.deteriorating.metal.
fittings at the fuel hose connections.
Owner's Manual Page 9