Fuel Recommendations - Sea Ray 310 Sundancer Owner's Manual

4. F R
UEL ECOMMENDATIONS
!
Never start an engine until you are certain that fuel
fumes are not present in the engine compartment
or elsewhere in the boat.
The quality of the fuel is very important for satisfactory
engine performance and long engine life. Care
should be taken to select fuels having the octane
rating recommended for the engine, as indicated
in the owner's manual, for proper operation. Fuel
should be clean and free of contamination.Your fuel
tanks should be kept full of fuel whenever possible.
This will reduce the amount of water condensation
and reduce the possibility of contamination.
NOTICE
GASOLINE RECOMMENDATIONS
Minimum octane rating of 87 AKI.
The use of improper gasoline or additives can damage
your fuel system and is considered misuse of the
system. Damage caused by improper gasoline or
additives WILL NOT be covered under warranty.
E -B
THANOL LENDED
Ethanol is an oxygenated hydrocarbon compound that
has a high octane rating and therefore is useful in
increasing the octane level of unleaded gasoline.
The fuel-system components of your Mercury engine(s)
have been tested to perform with the maximum level
of ethanol blended gasoline (10% ethanol) currently
allowed by the EPA in the United States.
Special precautions should be considered with the
use of fuel containing ethanol in your system. Fuels
with ethanol can attack some fuel-system components,
such as tanks and lines, if they are not made from
acceptable ethanol compatible materials. This can
lead to operational problems or safety issues such
as clogged filters, leaks or engine damage.
Your boat was manufactured, and shipped from the
factory, with ethanol-compatible materials. Before
introducing gasoline with ethanol into your fuel tank,
ask your dealer if any components have been added
or replaced that are not recommended by Sea Ray,
Mercury or may not be ethanol-compatible.
5.6
S 5 • F
ECTION
CAUTION
F
UELS
S
UEL YSTEM
F
ILLING THE TANK
It is best to maintain a full tank of fuel when the
engine is not in use. This will reduce air flow in and
out of the tank due to changes in temperature as
well as limiting exposure of the ethanol in the fuel
to humidity and condensation.
P S
HASE EPARATION
Humidity and condensation create water in your
fuel tank which can adversely effect the ethanol
blended fuel. A condition called phase separation
can occur if water is drawn into the fuel beyond the
saturation point. The presence of water in the fuel
beyond the saturation level will cause most of the
ethanol in the fuel to separate from the bulk fuel and
drop to the bottom of the tank, significantly reducing
the level of ethanol in the fuel mixture in the upper
level (phase). If the lower level (phase), consisting of
water and ethanol, is deep enough to reach the fuel
inlet it could be pumped directly to the engine(s) and
cause significant problems. Engine problems can
also result from the reduced ethanol/fuel mixture
left in the upper phase of the tank.
E P S
XAMPLE OF HASE EPARATION
(F . 5.6.1)
IG
CONDENSATION
FUEL INLET
A
DDITIVES
There is no practical additive known that can prevent
or correct phase separation. The only solution is to
keep water from accumulating in the tank.
If phase separation does occur, your only remedy is
to drain the fuel, clean and dry the tank completely
and refill with a fresh, dry load of fuel.
UPPER PHASE
(WATER+FUEL+ETHANOL)
LOWER PHASE
(WATER+ETHANOL)
310 Sundancer
®