Fuel Filter; Use And Maintenance; Fuel Standards; Problems With Alcohol In Gasoline - Scarab SB Series Owner's Manual

G. Fuel Filter
A fuel filter is installed on the fuel pump. The filter
should be changed frequently to assure an ade quate
supply of fuel to the engine. Refer to the engine manu-
al for additional infor ma tion. The engine manual is
included in the owner's information packet.
H. 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 EN-
GINE, ELEC TRI CAL AND HEAT GEN ERATING
EQUI P MENT. Investigate and cor rect the situa-
tion imme diately! Have all passen gers put on
per sonal flotation de vices and keep fire extin­
guishers 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.
To help guard against damage, avoid the
stor age or han dling of gear near the fuel lines,
fittings and tanks.
I.

Fuel Standards

Be cautious when using gasoline that contains
alcohol. The fuel system components on the plastic
fuel tanks used by Scarab will withstand up to 10%
alcohol content in the gasoline. Also refer to the
section on gasoline require ments in your engine
manual for additional information.
Boat Systems - Section B
To conform to Federal Air Quality Stan dards,
the petro leum indus try reduced the amount of
tetra eth yl 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 gas oline increases
the oc tane level of the fuel, it can also create
certain safety and performance related
problems for boaters.

1. Problems with Alcohol in Gasoline

Below is a list of problems which may be experi enced
when using blended gasoline.
A. Premature deterioration of fuel system com po nents
may occur. Alcohol will attack rubber fuel hoses, fuel
tanks, fuel filters, fuel pumps and rubber gaskets.
This deteriora tion will lead to fuel system leakage.
B. Phase separation of fuel will cause contami na tion.
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 current ly controlled by the
Environmental Protec tion 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 alco hol if
possible.

2. Recommendations

Assume blended gasoline is being used and follow
these recommendations below.
A. Inspect fuel hoses often. A deterio rated hose
containing alcohol blend ed gasoline will nor mally
be soft and swollen. A deteriorating hose contain-
ing no fuel will normally be hard and brittle. In both
cas es the hose should be replaced.
B. Ventilate the engine compartment before starting
the engine. Operate the engine compartment
blower for four (4) minutes. Then, prior to starting
Owner's Manual Page 66