[zz28zz]

The subject of water and ethanol laced gasoline has come up many times before in the boating world where the 2 come together on a regular basis. Ethanol attracts water. When the 2 combine they are heavier than the fuel and both drop to the bottom of the tank. Shaking the fuel will not recombine it with the ethanol. They will re-separate rapidly. Since ethanol is used to increase the octane rating, once it separates, the remaining fuel is very low octane and can cause detonation in many circumstances. The water/ethanol combo that falls to the bottom is a slimy gunk that's not good for anything. It causes corrosion, plugs small fuel passages and eats non-ethanol rated fuel lines. Probably one of the worst ideas ever from a maintenance prospective.

Mixing 2-stroke oil into my winter storage fuel (100LL aviation fuel) has been part of my boat winterization process for many years and it does seem to help the rubber seals in the fuel system from drying out and cracking. It also coats various internal eng parts to help prevent corrosion during extended periods of none usage.

This is the first I've heard of plastic eating bugs. Haven't seen any evidence of them here yet (central TX). Maybe the fire ants already killed them off??